This updated standard specifies recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and servicing of fire detection and alarm systems in and around buildings. Copies of all Standards can be obtained through http://www.standards.ie.
Stellar Certification Services audit against the Standard, I.S. 3218 :2013. PCCE Training (Paul Condron) holds courses on the servicing aspect of the standard, and you can apply directly through him to attend his courses at http://pcce.ie/training-courses.
We have retained the services of Mr Mark Treacy of Fire & Gas Detection Services Ltd. as our auditor for this standard. Mark is well known for his professionalism and expertise in this business.
Audit overview and guideline on inspection procedures
Stellar provide third party accreditation for companies engaged in the Installation, Commissioning, Servicing & Maintenance of Fire Detection & Fire Alarm Systems in accordance with Irish Standard I.S. 3218 :2013
The audit will comprise 2 components:
- Administration/ Documentation review
- Site Inspection(s)
1 Administration/ Documentation
1.1 General:
- Assessment of Applicant Company training records.
- Review of equipment calibration records where applicable (sound level meters etc.)
- Review of commissioning procedures documentation as issued to operatives.
- Review of commissioning test procedures as issued to operatives.
- Review of record documentation.
1.2 Specific Project Files
1.2.1 Information to be available
- Specification (or detail of work instructions from client)
- Certificate of Design (or evidence of written request for same).
- Certificate of Installation (or evidence of written request for same).
- Certificate of Commissioning.
- Record (as built/ installed) drawings (or evidence of knowledge of same)
- Evidence of limitation in loop size (4000m² max) by drawing inspection or during site inspection
- Record of documents provided to User.
1.2.2 Records:
- System load calculations – quiescent and alarm
- Proof of equipment compliance with relevant I.S. EN54 standards where applicable (by data sheets) or compliance with the specifiers requirements if different (from data sheets)
- Evidence of audible and visual alarm compliance with frequency ranges (from data sheet).
- Test records (to include radio survey data where applicable)
2 Site Survey
2.1 Preparation:
A selection of sites shall be made available to the inspector which are reflective of the applicant’s business model and which shall also take account of the scale of the business. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the proposed sites are ready for inspection and that their client has agreed to the inspection being undertaken.
To minimise disruption for the client it is suggested that the inspection might best be undertaken in conjunction with planned service/ maintenance of the system
The inspector will choose the site or sites to be visited.
Where a chosen site has non standard or specialist equipment the inspector should be made aware prior to the visit and provided with information relating to the operation and test procedures for the equipment.
Where residential systems are to be inspected then access should be arranged to a sample number of occupancies.
2.2 The site inspection process will assess:
- Equipment locations, placement and labelling/ identification.
- Control equipment indications and functions – including cross network communications.
- Power supply functions and standby battery capacity.
- System cabling and general installation works.
- Alarm circuit distribution.
- Random activation of detection devices – minimum 1 of each type.
- Random check of ‘Fault’ reporting on detection, alarm, communication and any other monitored circuits.
- Confirmation of ‘Zone’ and ‘Address’ text against records.
- Confirmation of correct system zoning against design zoning
- Random activation of alarm devices and check against sound levels achieved
- Random activation of interface units and check against Cause and Effect strategy.
- Random check of commissioned ‘Cause and Effect’ strategy against design/ system specification.
- Assessment of system ‘Category’ vs. ‘Category’ as set out on Certificate of Commissioning
- Inspection and confirmation of adequacy of Zone Chart/ Graphics
- Evidence of training of system operators (users representatives).
Stellar’s fees for its auditing & certification service are competitive and we are flexible with payment methods. We can tailor a payment plan to suit your needs. Details are available on request.