The Importance of Room Integrity Testing for Gas Fire Suppression

Room integrity testing is an integral part of many fire safety strategies. Room integrity tests enable the safe and effective operation of gas fire suppression systems by ensuring that in the event of a fire, a room’s containment is sufficient enough for a gaseous extinguishing system to be effective.

An ineffective fire integrity test could have detrimental if not fatal consequences in the event of fire – so understanding them is important. In this blog from Sovereign Extinguishing, we explore the importance of room integrity testing for gas fire suppression – explaining what it is, how it’s done and what other safety measures need to be considered. For more useful pieces like this one – visit our blog.

Existing articles include: Getting Started with Clean Agent Fire Suppression Systems, The Importance of Room Pressure Venting for Gas Fire Suppression and Understanding Fire Risk Assessments and Their Role in Fire Suppression.

What is the Significance of Room Integrity Testing?

In order for a gas suppression system to be effective, the room that gas is released within must be sufficiently enclosed. Gas fire suppression systems work by affecting the fire triangle. This refers to them reducing either  the oxygen available for combustion or removing heat from the fire’s source. This can only happen if gas levels in the room are sufficiently retained – resulting in the need for room integrity testing.

A room integrity test involves creating pressure within a room or enclosed area where a fire suppression system has been installed. The test works to establish the integrity of the room to ensure the fire suppression system will be effective if activated. If the integrity of a room is inadequate, the gas produced by a fire suppression will dissipate too quickly, reducing its ability to extinguish fire. In addition, room integrity tests will also check for room sealings that are too tight – as this may result in structural damage.

For more information about room integrity, visit our blog – The Importance of Room Integrity.

How is Room Integrity Testing Carried Out?

Prior to a room integrity test, a room should be prepared accordingly – this will include setting any ventilation points of ducts to closed and ensuring the closure of any required ducts. The room is then pressurised and de-pressurised using a fan attached to an adaptable frame at the room’s doorway. Readings are the taken related to airflow. Once information on room volume and gas quantity has been recorded, the density of suppressant gas can be calculated. This calculation can then be used to calculate hold time.

Hold time, also referred to as retention time is a crucial takeaway from a room integrity test. Minimum retention time refers to the amount of time that a gaseous agent should exist at an acceptable concentration in order to be effective.  According to existing regulations, this should be a minimum of 10 minutes for most rooms. In addition to hold time, the leakage rate will also be calculated– offering an indication of how much suppression gas is lost. In order to ensure a gas fire suppression system continues to operate effectively, room integrity texts must be repeated annually.

After an integrity test, the test provider will issue a report on what has been found. If a room fails a fire Integrity Test, a test provider such as Sovereign Extinguishing will provide detail into areas that failed and provide bespoke guidance for what comes next. Concerned about a recent room integrity test? Get in touch today.

Gas Fire Suppression Safety Measures

Due to their nature, gas fire suppression systems require more frequent inspection and maintenance than other fire suppression systems – to ensure safe operation. In addition, it is also recommended that gas cylinders are replaced upon reaching 10 years old. During a maintenance inspection, a maintenance engineer will be expected to carry out:

Mechanical Checks – These will include checking that all pipes and fittings attached to the system are of an appropriate standard and fitted with the supports. Mechanical checks will also check features such as nozzles to ensure they have been fitted in a way that adheres to design and installation requirements. Pipes and nozzles will also be checked to ensure they are braced against the reaction that occurs at discharge.

Cylinder Checks – The integrity of the gas cylinders themselves is essential to safe operation. During cylinder checks, any mechanical damage, corrosion or tampering will be identified – instruction plates will also be checked. Cylinder checks will also take into account any racking and/or brackets to ensure that any fixing links are all suitable and appropriately fitted. Each cylinder will also be checked to ensure the fill is correct – this will primarily be carried out using a pressure gauge, it this is not fitted, cylinders can be weighed or liquid level checked.

Electrical Checks – During this stage of inspection, an engineer will check the fire alarm log book – noting any required action on any outstanding faults. Before maintenance work can commence electrical actuators will be removed to ensure that the system won’t be accidentally activated during servicing and maintenance works. Maintenance works will then include checks on power supplies and battery chargers, checks on control panels and checks on all field operating devices.

Once an inspection is complete, a test certificate will be provided noting any required actions. This will be kept for the next maintenance visit and referred to when ensuring maximal safe-keeping and safe operation of gas fire suppression systems.

Room Integrity Testing From Sovereign Extinguishing

If you are experiencing issues with room integrity testing or hold times, get in touch with the team at Sovereign Extinguishing today.

Sovereign Extinguishing are the UK’s leading experts in fire extinguishing, installations and servicing. With a range of experience working with world-leading brands, we are on hand with industry-informed guidance about fire suppression systems. We maintain and service fire extinguishing systems installed by ourselves or other providers.

Our servicing and maintenance services include servicing, cylinder hydrostatic testing and room integrity testing. All of our testing is completed in-house by our trained and qualified engineers. Depending on the number of rooms required for testing, a set of room integrity tests will usually take half a day.