Fire and Life Safety Systems Confidence Testing Fire and Life Safety Systems

What is Confidence Testing? It is a way to ensure that existing fire and life safety systems are properly functioning.

Why is it important? It helps protects the public and Firefighters in emergency situations Helps Builders: -some systems allow builders to use fewer exits, less substantial fire separation (thinner walls), etc.

Why is it important? (con’t) Fire and Life Safety Systems: - Extinguish the fire or hold it in check - Triggers evacuation - Assist with water delivery - Removes smoke - Assists with access - etc. Liability

Confidence Testing Systems System Type: Fire Alarm - Low-Rise Bldgs: Annually, High-Rise Bldgs: Quarterly Stairway Door Locks - Annually Fire Pumps - Annually Standpipe and/or Hose Cabinets – Five Years Automatic Sprinklers - Annually Shaft Pressurization - Annually Emergency Generator - Annually Tempered Windows/Smoke removal - Annually Sequence Test (High-rise) - Annually Foam Systems - Annually Fire Escapes – Five Years Halon, CO2, Inergen - Annually Rangehood – Bi-Annually Water Tanks - Annually

Who conducts confidence testing? Private contractors: Who are engaged in the business of installing, testing and maintaining Fire and Life Safety Systems who hold a valid certificate issued by the Seattle Fire Department Fire Marshal Office

How are the testers policed? Seattle Fire Department Fire Marshal Office Certification Unit administers written system specific tests Passing demonstrates possession of requisite knowledge to work on systems Those who pass are issued a certificate granting conditional permission to work on Fire and Life Safety Systems in the City of Seattle

Certification

How is the Confidence Test documented? The testing company: Labels the system Provides building representative a copy of the confidence test report Submits a confidence test report to the Fire Marshal Office Confidence Testing Unit

Confidence Testing Color Code System RED TAG: System out of service and/or whose operation is seriously impaired. The technician reports the red tag system immediately to the Confidence Testing Unit (same day)

Confidence Testing Color Code System YELLOW TAG: Systems that are functioning, but have deficiencies The Confidence Testing report is faxed, mailed or delivered for receipt by Confidence Testing Unit within 15 days of the date of the test

Confidence Testing Color Code System WHITE TAG: Systems with no deficiencies The Confidence Testing report is faxed, mailed or delivered for receipt by Confidence Testing Unit within 30 days of the date of the test

How does Seattle Fire Department track and enforce Confidence Testing? Code enforcement Regular Building Inspections Alarms Special Inspections Database Confidence Testing Reports Citizen Complaints

What actions does S.F.D. take when we find a system less than fully functional? Document : Notice of Violation or Form 6A Fire Watch

Which Fire and Life Safety System Confidence Test is the most important to perform? System Type: Fire Alarm Stairway Door Locks Fire Pumps Standpipe and/or Hose Cabinets Automatic Sprinklers Shaft Pressurization Emergency Generator Tempered Windows/Smoke removal Sequence Test (High-rise) Foam Systems Fire Escapes Halon, CO2, Inergen Rangehood All of them Which Fire and Life Safety System Confidence Test, simulates the buildings systems under a fire emergency incident? Sequence Test

Seattle Fire Department Confidence Testing Unit Contacts Lt. Jon Olson, (206) 386-1448 Confidence Testing Officer Jon.Olson@Seattle.Gov Agnes Ducay, (206) 386-1352 Administrative Assistant Agnes.Ducay@Seattle.Gov

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