CO2 Gas Suppression System.

[hammer1]

When is a integrity test require as part of the maintenance regime. Obviously on installation, but is there any recommendations to carry out test thereafter???

[jimbosdad]

You need to check BSEN 15004 

[hammer1]

I have been informed Integrity Testing is a mandatory requirement of BS ISO 14520 and should be undertaken annually or as often as is recommended by the competent contractor???

Any takers on that advice

[AnthonyB]

Both BS 5306-4:2001 & ISO 14520-1:2000 say that at the 12 month service an integrity test is required, at the intervening 6 month service only the pipework, valves & cylinders need checking.

Truthfully in my experience integrity re-testing of inert/halon/halocarbon systems is rare enough, but for CO2 systems (most of which I find are 25-40 years old) is almost never done (nor is other testing!)

[Tom Sutton]

It appears ISO 14520-1:2000 has been withdrawn. BS EN 15004-1:2008 Fixed firefighting systems - Gas extinguishing systems - Design, installation and maintenance together with BS 5306-4:2001 - Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises - Specification for carbon dioxide systems seems to be the current ones.

[hammer1]

Both BS 5306-4:2001 & ISO 14520-1:2000 say that at the 12 month service an integrity test is required, at the intervening 6 month service only the pipework, valves & cylinders need checking.

Truthfully in my experience integrity re-testing of inert/halon/halocarbon systems is rare enough, but for CO2 systems (most of which I find are 25-40 years old) is almost never done (nor is other testing!)

Makes you wonder, when in those last 25-40 years the amount of new cabling that may have been replaced/re-feed  and a possibility that works has been carried out in and around the area concerned which could of compromised the compartmentation. The area covered has to be well-sealed so that your gaseous agent won't escape causing the fire to possibly re-ignite.

Anyway, that's enough wondering for one day

[Allen Higginson]

I've never known a room integrity test to be done for CO2 - I had assumed that this was down to the difference in how it extinguishes compared to chemical agents.

[CivvyFSO]

From BS5306-4:2001

9.2.2 User’s programme of inspection
The user shall obtain from the installer an inspection programme for the system and its components. The
programme shall include instructions on the action to be taken in respect of faults.
NOTE The user’s inspection programme is intended to detect faults at an early stage to allow rectification before the system may
have to operate. A suitable programme is as follows.
a) Weekly Visually check the hazard and the integrity of the enclosure for changes which might reduce the efficiency of the system.

Ha! I can see that one getting done everywhere too!

[Psuedonym]

Room integrety testing should be carried out prior to installaton of any gas extinguishing system and at intervals as per BSEN 15004:1 2008. However following any works which may have breached a compartments integrity, testing should be carried out to ensure the integrity levels have not been affected.
Some hope.
Testing of cylinders as per PED's is rare enough (far too expensive - try keeping a staight face when, on your initial service, explaining to a punter his 100 plus units and priming cylinders are years out of date!) So then try (Potentially) to advise a business shutdown while a room/s is/are integrity tested? Strewth, imagine how popular a service contractor is when that subject is brought up! Foxtrot Oscar is the usual response.
And thats how much "integrity" rules and regs have for a punter when mirrored against a balance sheet. Sad but true. But thats what we as service providers are faced with daily regardles of liability issues.