This self-paced online course covers the requirements for commissioning a fire alarm system. Commissioning a fire alarm is much more than the initial testing when the system is new.

Upon completion you should be able to:

• Understand the primary objectives that a fire alarm system will be designed to meet
• Understand why design drawings and system specifications need to be provided for all fire alarm systems
• List the items required for a proper fire alarm system commissioning process
• Explain why a thorough inspection of the system is required prior to any testing
• Define key terms, including acceptance test, re-acceptance test, design drawings, and system specifications
• Explain when a fire alarm system is considered commissioned
• List the people or parties who are stakeholders fire alarm system commissioning
• Explain the purpose of a test plan and list the items that a test plan should include

Who Will Benefit

Anyone whose job involves designing, reviewing, evaluating or installing fire protection systems, including: designers, installers, engineers, electrical contractors, technicians, project managers, fire marshals, and architects.

Course Summary

Fire alarm system commissioning is often thought of as the "acceptance test".  But, it is much more than that.  Commissioning isn't complete until:

• confirmation by inspection that the installation of the system is according to approved plans and specifications, is complete and proper
• the system and all of its components have been totally tested per the requirements of NFPA 72
• all problems found during the inspection and acceptance testing have been corrected
• all documentation required by NFPA 72 is filed with the owner or owner's representative
• the AHJ has accepted the system
• the system is left-in service and operational

Depending on changes to the fire alarm system, the magnitude and type of changes will dictate the level of re-acceptance testing required. Re-acceptance testing requirements also depend on the type of system that is installed.