What We Do
Integrated Systems Testing
Integrated System Testing is a combination of planning, reporting, documenting and witnessing the final integrated testing of the respective fire protection and life safety systems within a building.
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Acceptance Testing – “The evaluation of a fire protection and life safety system to ensure that the system is installed in accordance with its design criteria and the relevant Standards associated with it’s installation.”
Integrated Testing Plan – “A Written project specific document, prepared by the integrated testing coordinator, outlining the required tests and necessary functional results to conduct integrated fire protection and life safety testing. “
Integrated Testing Report – “A written project specific document, prepared by the integrated testing coordinator, documenting the implementation of the integrated testing plan.”
Integrated Testing Coordinator Requirements
In accordance with ULC-S1001, the Integrated Testing Coordinator (ITC) shall be knowledgeable and experienced in the following aspects;
- Design
- Installation
- Operation of fire protection and life safety systems
- Fire protection and life safety functions of buildings
- Codes and standards that regulate the above
- How said system are designed to operate under normal and emergency conditions
- Methods for validating the function and integrated said systems
- As per UL Certification Bulletin 2020-08 the ITC can NOT be the same company that performs the fire alarm verification on the building, under the ULC listing program.
Role of the Integrated Testing Coordinator
The role of the Integrated Testing Coordinator (ITC) is a multi step approach to ensuring the interconnections are installed and operating as per their design criteria.
Planning – The ITC shall review all integrations of fire protection and life safety systems, prepared by the design professionals. The ITC will use this documentation to prepare a project specific written Integrated Testing plan (ITP), which includes function statements, integration matrix, testing procedures and testing forms. The ITP will become a live document turned over to the building owner for future use. Design documentation may include; sequence of operations, cause and effect matrix, operating instructions, interconnection details, etc….
Implementation – Once the A) design professionals have accepted the ITP, B) the AHJ has reviewed ITP, C) the installation certificates, verifications and necessary inspections (VI, ESA, Air Balancing, TSSA, etc…), and D) design professionals acceptance tests are satisfied and complete, the implementation process may commence. The ITC will coordinate the participants to attend and function test the respective fire protection and life safety systems. All respective parties will witness and initial each result as an integrated test. The test results will be prepared into a Integrated Test Report (ITR) and upon successful completion the ITR shall be turned over to the Building Owner and AHJ.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Is Commissioning the same as Integrated System Testing?
- No
- Commissioning is validating the performance of the individual systems ensuring they meet the specifications and design. For example: commissioning of a smoke aspiration system is to validate the aspiration system response time and sensitives are meet.
- Integrated System Testing validates that the various life safety systems are connected (or integrated) in accordance with the design (and Standards). For example: A roof top unit design to shut-down, is electrically connected using correct terminations and that the electrical characteristics are suitable for the connected fire alarm relay.
When did Integrated System Testing become a requirement?
- National
- National Building Code: Under the National Building Code of Canada, the requirement was introduced in 2015.
- National Fire Code: Furthermore Retroactive testing came into effect under the National Fire Code of Canada in 2018.
- Ontario
- Ontario Building Code: Ontario first introduced “commissioning of FLS Systems” in the 2012 OBC. However, the ULC-S1001 Integrated Systems Testing did not become the mandatory Standard until January 1st, 2020.
When should we engage an Integrated Testing Coordinator?
- As early as possible!
- More and more municipalities are asking for the Integrated Test Plan to be provided at the time of Building Permit. We recommend starting the process at the 80% design stage. This allows the ITC to ask the right questions and seek engineering details that will aid in the successful certifications process of an Integrated System Testing.
Can the fire alarm company do the Integrated Testing?
- The ULC-S1001 Standard outlines the required experience level for an ITC and all participants. If the fire alarm company and the individual representative is knowledge and experienced with the various systems being tested, (fire alarm, fire pump, sprinkler, generator, generator life safety transfer, fire cisterns, combination smoke dampers, kitchen suppression, fire door closures, etc…) for the design, installation, acceptance testing and the various codes (CSA-B44, CSA-282, ULC-S500s, CSA-22.2, NFPA 20, NFPA 25, NFPA, 13, NFPA 86, etc…) that represent these items, then yes. There are a couple caveats;
We have a fire alarm verification report, why do we need Integrated System Testing?
- Open the verification report, turn to section “C5.12 Ancillary Device Circuit Test” and read the footnote: “NOTE: The tests reported on this Form do not include the actual operational test of ancillary devices.”
If we replace our existing panel do we need Integrated System Testing?
- Yes. The fire protection and life safety systems have been modified, altered and possibly re-programmed. In accordance with CAN/ULC-S1001 modifications to fire protection and life safety systems that are integrated, requires testing.
- Further Part 11 of the Building Code outlines that 11.3.1.2 new building systems or the extension of an existing building system, shall comply with all other Parts.
- This Sentence is the reason we require the installation to follow ULC-S524 [OBC 3.2.4.5.(1)], require a verification ULC-S537 [OBC 3.2.4.5 .(2)], and now require Integrated System Testing ULC-S1001 [OBC 3.2.10], not to mention a building permit!
Who should pay for Integrated Systems Testing?
- Ultimately the owner is responsible for the cost of their construction project. However, the project is typically bound by contract terms and conditions. Meaning the contract documents will dictate whom is directly responsible for carrying the respective cost. At the end of the day, the project cost is paid out by the owner. Know your contract before bidding a project. As Integrated System Testing is tied to achieving occupancy, don’t get stuck holding the bag.
Why is Integrated System Testing in the fire alarm specifications?
- Simple answer…because that is where the consultant put it. We highly recommend that ULC-S1001 Integrated System Testing is placed either in Div. 05 similar to commissioning, backed up with a cash allowance for the Construction Manager to directly award Integrated System Testing. Or alternatively, have the Owner directly award the Integrated System Testing to an agent similar to Lonergan Engineering Inc. such that we are at the consultant table. This method will help avoid the pit falls of costly change orders for “coordination” issues.
Can the Integrated Testing Coordinator be the Fire Alarm Verification Technician?
- No. See UL’s Bulletin.
Do we really need Integrated Systems Testing if we are only adding one door hold-open device?
- Yes. It will be straight forward, but still a requirement as per Part 11. The simple question, are you installing this to ULC-S524 and doing a verification as per ULC-S537? Then keeping the ball rolling and finish with ULC-S1001.
- Don’t forget to explore ULC-S573 Standard for Installation of Ancillary Devices Connected to Fire Alarm Systems. Here you will learn that a conventional relay base smoke detector can not be on the same circuit as a short circuiting device. See our video on why not!
Some common names for Integrated System Testing:
Integrated Testing, Commissioning Testing of Life Safety and Fire Protection, S1001 Testing, S1001 Commissioning, Integrated System Testing, Fire Protection Commissioning, IST and more!
ULC Listed Integrated Testing Provider
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Lonergan Engineering has successfully achieved the ULC Certificate as an Integrated Testing Service Provider.
- The ULC Listing Investigation process for Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems was, respectfully, a thorough and challenging process. The listing investigation tested our knowledge of the project, the systems in place, and reviewed the Integrated Testing Plan (ITP) prepared by Lonergan Engineering.
- Further the listing investigation evaluated our onsite implementation of the ITP to ensure Lonergan Engineering truly understood the nuances of the various systems and integrations.
- ULC Certificates may only be issued by ULC listed Integrated Testing Providers. ULC Certificates may only be issued for systems that have successfully been tested and documented in accordance with the requirements contained in CAN/ULC-S1001-11, and for which there is an active service contract between the Integrated Testing Provider and the owner or tenant.
- Integrated testing is not simply who has the biggest paper clip for the life safety and fire protection inspection reports. Rather, it is being part of the team to ensure the many life safety and fire protection systems are integrated and working in accordance with the design, codes and standards. An Integrated Testing Coordinator must be well versed in design, installation, inspections, service and maintenance of these systems. Having a certified Integrated Testing Coordinator (ITC) will help a project be successful by the skills and knowledge the ITC brings to the table.
- Lonergan Engineering will help your project be successful and, with the cooperation of the project team, be compliant.
Integrated Testing Coordinator
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Michael Lonergan P.Eng. has successfully passed the CAN ULC-S1001 Certification Exam, on February 9, 2021.
“The ULC Exam is designed to assess an individual’s knowledge of Canadian codes and the standard CAN/ULC-S1001, Integrated Systems Testing of Fire Protection and life Safety Systems. It is administrated as the final step in the qualification process for an Integrated Testing Coordinator. “
Michael Lonergan P. Eng. – ITC
Integrated Testing of Fire Protection and Life Safety – Door Hold-Open
Fire Alarm Function Testing
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When a device manufacturer has contradicting documentation and installation instructions for their fire alarm vendors, Lonergan Engineering jumps into action.
- Lonergan Engineering function tested Addressable Fault Isolator Bases Detectors.
Lonergan Engineering is not shy to bench test a system. In fact we highly encourage getting to knowing the “ins and outs” of a system before witness testing. With the stress of a project looking for occupancy and the pressure from the team waiting for the engineers final review, it is our duty and obligation to ensure life safety systems are functioning.
Significance of Integrated System Testing
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CAN/ULC-S573 – Standard for Installation of Ancillary Devices Connected to Fire Alarm Systems
This standard is full of many lessons learned and case studies that have been compiled into the ABCs of ancillary devices.
Will an elevator automatic recall work when there is a fire? See what happens if you ignore what the industry already knows.
Knockoff EXIT sign?
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Lonergan Engineering was called in to an elementary school, whom two years prior, completed an upgrade to the Pictogram Exit Signs. The recent annual emergency lighting inspection report failed the emergency lighting test. Here is why:
- The new pictogram exit signs, combo pack, used a 3V AA re-chargeable battery.
- The previous EXIT combo was 12VDC, and powered remote heads.
After an investigation:
- See the black and white, capped off? These were the feeds to the 12VDC remote heads, not connected.
- After reaching out to the certifying body, Intertek, we confirmed they were not certified.
