BHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM Ltd.

PROTECTION
ENGINEERING INSTRUCTIONS FIRE
A/T-001

TESTING PROCEDURE OF FIRE DETECTION & ALARM SYSTEM

1. SCOPE

This Engineering Instruction describes the standard testing procedure of fire/smoke

detection and alarm system installed in Telephone Exchanges.

2. GENERAL

Testing procedure of fire detection installed in Electronic exchanges ensures early

detection of fire/smoke in case of fire. Proper testing procedure able to render reliable and
trouble free services. These fire/smoke detection systems are generally useful for all types of
Electronic exchanges and similar telecom installations in telecom buildings etc.

3. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

i. Approved /Drawing and lay out of the equipment.

ii. Copy of ordering specification.

iii. Copy of amendments, relaxation letters if any, approved by competent authority.

iv. Test schedule of the system.

Representative of ordering authority, maintenance authority and the supplier are also to
be present during acceptance testing.

4. TESTS

LAR –

4.1. (i) Location of all the equipment/ accessories connected with the system is checked as per
the approved drawings and layout, ‘Deviations if any, be pointed out for rectification.

(ii) In the technical rooms having false floor and false ceiling check location just above the
racks (suits) in the return air path. Exact location of detectors to install on the ceiling or
below false floor be determined after studying air movements & observing high smoke
density area.

(iii) For mixed monitoring Check provision of both, ionisation and optical detectors installed
in the ratio 1:1.

BHARAT SANCHAR NIGAM LTD

 Restricted to Telecom Staff
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(iv) Check physically, installation of response indicators of hidden smoke detectors sited at
more than 2’ above the false floor on the wall/pillars at prominent place easily visible.

(v) Check the detectors density as follows or as per specification:

(a) 10 sq,m per detector in technical rooms and in no case more than 20 sqm.
(b) The detector's density in densely laid cables' area (below false floor) is 10 sqm/detector
(c) In A/C plant room 20 sqm/detector.
(d) In normal risk areas such as rooms without equipment 40 sqm/ detectors.
(e) Provision of detectors in return air opening.

4.1.2 ALIGNMENT & RIGIDITY

Check that all the equipment/ accessories for its proper alignment and rigidity.

4.2. ZONE

The formation of minimum 2 zones in each floor be ensured.

4.3 Check of power supply

4.3.1. The A/C mains supply s taken through DPDT switch. Check properly lying, termination
lugs, etc. In connecting cables. The cables used is exclusively for fire detection system.
The multicore cables is not share for other low voltage or high voltage circuits. Cable
and wiring are laid down in metallic /rigid PVC conduits.

4.3.2 Measure the dc voltage of regulated supply, variation if any, be recorded for
correction.

4.3.3. Check proper fuse of required rating is provided.

4.3.4. Charge the battery on trickle and then boost mode for a while to check that 24 V, in built
battery charger of power supply working satisfactory for its trickle/boost mode.

4.3.5. Proper installation, healthy condition & capacity (battery voltage & SG of cells may be
checked) of the battery with security arrangement is also ensure.

4.4. CHECK ON MAIN, LOCAL CONTROL PANELS & PA SYSTEM

The fire/smoke detection system is connected to a local control panel in every floor. As
soon as detector detects the smoke (by creating smoke below 1 feet any of the detector), the
local control panel gives an audio visual alarm indicating that there is fire in the particular zone
and verify, the working of Air-handling Unit of that floor stopped automatically. Use PA

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system to check for proper announcement about the exact location of fire incident & to evacuate
the affected area patiently without blatant move.

There is also a repeater control panel at such a place where attention is available round
the clock. As soon as the detector detects the smoke or fire condition, check that the repeater
control panel repeats audio-visual alarm indicating the location of fire.

4.4.1 On control panel operate lamp indication check-key to check indication of all the lamps
similarly operate all other switches as per instructions of manual for their proper
functioning.

To check the functioning of zone, smoke is given to detectors of each zone and
operation of local hooter with flash of LED for each zone is observed.

Operate the reset push button key & observed that distant hooter and associated LED
gets cut off.

4.4.2. Remove A.C. supply of main control panel & check the system change over to battery.
At this time, functioning of local hooter (having distinct alarm from the fire alarm), its
cut off facility and flashing of necessary visual indications (amber) is also ensured.

4.4.3 Operate the isolation keys one by one and check that the concern zone cut off from the
control panel.

4.4.4 Check that all panels are properly earthed.

4.4.5 Operation of local hooter & LED indication be checked for polarity reversion, low
battery, & blown fuse:

(i) by momentary reversing the +ve and -ve polarity.

(ii) by connection a low battery in the circuit.

(iii) by using blown fuse .

4.5.1 ALARMS

Ensure that –

4.5.1 the whole exchange area is covered by the audio visual alarm system.

4.5.2 electronic hooter provided in switch room, exploitation room and lobbies of each floor.

4.5.3 alarm signal actuated as soon as the artificially created smoke density rises in the area of
detector installed.
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4.5.4. alarm signal is extended in OMC room so that the fire signal & time of detection of
smoke gets printed.

4.5.5 Fault Signals

An immediate fault warning is checked by (a) visual indicators (amber) on the zone
control panel, an audible alarm and visible indicator (amber) on main control panel. The audible
alarm should be distinct from the fire alarm.

Check warning alarm in the following occurrences by –

(a) removing the fuse of main power supply.

(b) disconnecting the stand by power supply.

5. TESTING OF DETECTORS
5.1 OPEN CIRCUIT TEST

All the ionisation/photo electric smoke detectors of a zone are looped and are
terminated on a card in the control panel.

Remove one terminal of Detector to make open circuit in the detectors loop, a
corresponding fault indication of an open circuit will be displayed as an audible and visual
alarm (amber) on the control panel. The audible alarm should be distinct from the fire alarm.
Trace the faulty detector in the zone to checked the faulty detector.

5.1.1 Open circuit conditions is created at the last detector of individual zone.

5.2. SHORT CIRCUIT TEST

Short the terminals of detector one by one in last detector of each zone, to create a short
circuit in the detector circuit, in such a way so that every individual zone is checked for visual
(amber) and a distinct audible alarm .

5.3 CLOSED CIRCUIT TEST

By puffing a cigarette smoke or allowing smoke of four incense stick, in to the chamber
of detectors, just about a distant feet apart, the detector senses the smoke within 10 to 15
second and the red LED on the body of the detector glows permanently giving an audio visual
alarm on the control panel and distant hooters also gives audio signal. The audible alarm
contiue to operate until silenced manually. After pressing the alarm cancel push button on the
control panel, the audio signal silenced, respective zone is to be surveyed to plot the source of
smoke conversely.

5.4 RESPONSE INDICATORS

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Similarly test smoke detectors installed in the false floor and false ceiling, simultaneous
operation of respective response indicators be also ensured.

5.5 Testing of Smoke detection by ionisation type smoke detectors will be followed by
photo electric smoke detectors. The time taken by each detector is 10-30 seconds for its
activation but never more then 60 seconds.

5.6 DUCT DETECTOR IN THE RETURN AIR PATH

Operation of duct detectors also checked as per above procedure. If these detectors
operates before the blower getting shut off, indicated that fire condition has much aggravated.

5.7 HEAT DETECTORS

These are suitable for use in situation where sufficient heat is likely to be generated (for
example, kitchen and pantry, etc.) These are not suitable for fire protection of places where
larger losses can be caused by small fire and where safety of life is involved. Hence used in
closets or other unsupervised spaces.

For testing of restorable type detectors a heat source, such as heat of soft coke burnt
with smokeless, a hair dryer, or a shielded heat lamp is used until it respond, making sure that
the sensing element is not damaged. After each heat test, the detector is reset.

Heat detectors with replaceable fusible alloy is tested first by removing the element to
see whether contacts operate properly and then re-inserting them in proper position.

5.8 PHYSICAL INSTALLATION

Visual inspection of all the detectors is made to check that they are properly sited,
mounted and connected in the following rooms.

(i) Switch room, Transmission room.

(ii) MDF/DDF.
(iii) A.C. plant room, AHU rooms, Battery rooms, Power rooms, Engine room etc.
(iv) In corridors/lobbies .

6. MANUAL CALL POINTS

Inspect that on each floor, one or more manual call points are installed, preferably on the
exit routes. It is installed at a height of 1.4 meters above the floor. Check that its housing is dust
proof and moisture proof properly sealed with rubber lining, red painted instructions given to
break the glass, with hammer provided, in case, any fire is observed.

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For testing unscrew the outer cover, the respective LED in the control panel will flash
alongwith audible alarm, to attract the attention of the exchange staff.

7. SIGN WRITING

7.1 Check that sign writing is completed in a understandable manner, for each and every
detector preceded by alphabetic initials for example, Z-1/20 indicating zone one smoke
detector, No. 20 etc.

7.2 Spare zone as spare.

7.3 Response indicators, manual call points etc.

7.4 Electronic Hooters.

7.5 DPDT switch is sign written in red paint as “FIRE ALARM SYSTEM”.

7.6 Manual call points glass front cover as “IN CASE OF FIRE BREAK THE GLASS”
by red paint.

7.7 Check that sufficient fire fighting equipment for example, fire extinguishers, fire
buckets installed at suitable place.

Source material:

(1) Specification of Electrical wing.

(2) IS 2189 - 1988 on code of practice for selection, Installation and maintenance of Automatic
Fire Detection System.

** END **

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