APPENDIX A.docx

APPENDIX A

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM COMPONENTS

SUMMARY:

1. This section reflects the requirements of the contract associated with yearly testing, maintenance, and certification of existing automatic fire sprinkler systems presently serving the Illinois State Capitol Complex buildings and additional buildings as herein stated.

2. Provide all necessary labor and equipment for inspection, testing, and maintenance of sprinkler systems as required by NFPA 25 (current edition).

3. Contractor shall reference chapters 5, 6, 8, 12, and 13 of NVPA 25 (current edition) for specific requirements of inspection, testing, and maintenance procedures and frequencies. Unless specifically stated in other sections of this specification, contractor shall inspect, test, and maintain equipment in accordance with standard information provided in the above state chapters.

4. Repair or replacement of non-operating components if/as found during testing and inspection services are not required under this contract.

5. Contractor shall document all non-functioning components and additional costs associated with the repair and/or replacement of said components. Contractor shall provide ILSOS with a cost proposal to rectify found problems or issues concerning affected systems.

6. Contractor shall include in its cost proposal, the cost of labor associated with review and explanation of found issues with the Engineer and ILSOS. Review shall be conducted on location at a mutually acceptable time and date set forth as to not hinder the progression of continued testing and maintenance required by this contract.

SUBMITTALS:

1. Testing Methods: contractor shall submit their anticipated testing and maintenance methods and procedures to be used to satisfy this testing contract.

2. Contractor may submit their standard form of explanation currently used on other projects. Standard form shall reflect all areas of testing and maintenance hereafter specified as required.

3. Provide a list of all tools and equipment required to perform tests specified herein.

QUALITY ASSURANCE:

1. Comply with all applicable local, state, and international codes governing the inspection, testing, and maintenance of automatic fire sprinkler systems.

a. Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (Licensure)

b. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 25, current edition. “Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems”.

c. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72, current edition. “National Fire Alarm Code” – as pertains to electronic fire alarm systems presently monitoring automatic fire suppression systems.

d. Illinois State Plumbing Code, current edition.

2. Contractor’s technicians must have and display the technical ability and qualifications to perform inspection, testing, and maintenance on existing equipment as herein specified for each facility listed. If ILSOS observes personnel that to them do not possess the required abilities, they reserve the right to request replacement technicians at no additional cost due.

COORDINATION:

1. Coordinate testing, inspection, and maintenance procedures with ILSOS and parallel fire alarm systems testing contractor.

2. Contractor shall include in its proposal the time and effort required to properly coordinate all inspection, testing, and maintenance procedures associated with each and every building as herein stated. Contractor will be required to contact each building maintenance engineer for proper scheduling of work. Contractor shall note that scheduled events and/or other work efforts ongoing at any of the buildings may take precedence over this contract. Contractor shall include in its proposal any and all costs associated with potential inconveniences.

3. The Contractor must call ILSOS at least two (2) business days in advance prior to arrival to schedule services. Contractor, at that time, must provide the names of employees who will be performing the inspection, testing, and maintenance service. The Contractor will be required to sign in and out of the facility.

4. All services under this contract shall be performed during normal working hours defined as 7:30am through 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Travel time and expenses shall be all inclusive in contractor’s bid.

WARRANTY:

1. Contractor shall provide ILSOS with a standard one (1) year warranty of all maintenance work performed under this contract.

2. Partial transfer of liability: Contractor understands that some transfer of liability is assumed under this contract. If an inspected, tested, or maintained system should fail to operate due to the fault of the contractor either through negligence or failure to test, said contractor assumes responsibility of loss due to damage and any subsequent actions that may result.

WET SYSTEM COMPONENTS:

1. Fire Pumps

a. Check general operating conditions; ensure that discharge pressure, suction pressure, oil levels, priming water level, and operating condition of relief valves are acceptable.

b. Check actual operation of the pump by cycling the system.

c. Confirm operation of programmed exercises.

d. Provide per NFPA25: Chapter 8 and Table 8.5.3.

2. Standpipe and Hose Systems

a. Check general operating conditions, ensure that all equipment is in place, in good condition and operational.

b. Check that access to standpipes and hose system (cabinets) is clear and accessible.

c. Ensure valves are operational and in closed position (for dry pipe systems).

d. Provide per NFPA 25: Chapter 6 and Table 6.1.

3. Control Valves

a. Ensure valves operate freely. Oil and grease as required.

b. Verify that each valve is secured in proper fashion to negate tampering or intentional operation.

c. Test supervisory switches to determine that movement of the valve operating mechanism from its normal position results in a supervisory input to the fire alarm system.

d. Provide per NFPA 25: Chapter 12 and Table 12.1.

4. Gauges

a. Visually inspect for proper operation and condition. Verify proper pressure is being maintained and represented.

b. Provide per NFPA 25: Chapter 5.

5. Water Flow Devices

a. Ensure switches operate freely. Oil and grease as required.

b. Verify that each switch is secured in proper fashion to negate tampering or intentional operation. Verify cover is in place.

c. Test flow alarm switches to determine that movement of the valve operating mechanism from its normal position results in an alarm input to the fire alarm system. Contractor shall not cause fire alarm devices to operate. Contractor shall coordinate the programming of alarm systems into test mode or test during non-occupied hours.

d. Provide per NFPA 25: Chapter 5 and 12 and Table 12.1.

6. Wet System Risers:

a. Visually inspect all riser piping and configurations for general compliance.

b. Perform flow tests at each riser from water supply test pipe (main drain). Ensure that pressure differential is not excessive.

c. Provide per NFPA 25: Chapter 5.

7. Sprinkler Head Connections, Piping, Fittings

a. Visually inspect all heads, configurations, and spacing for general compliance.

b. Verify that heads are free from paint, rust, corrosion, dirt, and obstructions. Verify that proper clearances are maintained.

c. Clean all sprinklers as required.

d. Verify that all piping is properly supported and free from other differential loads.

e. Provide an inspection sampling (5%) of piping and fittings located concealed above existing suspended ceiling systems. Although not required by code, ILSOS requires a yearly visual sampling of these areas.

f. Provide per NFPA 25: Chapter 5.

8. Buildings

a. Prior to the onset of winter, inspect locations where wet-pipe systems exist to ensure their protection from freezing conditions. Report any abnormal conditions to ILSOS.

b. Provide per NFPA 25: Chapter 5.

9. Fire Department Connections

a. Inspect all fire department connections; ensure that they are visible, accessible, that caps and plugs are in place, threads are in good condition, ball drip or drain is in working order, and that the check valve is not leaking.

b. Provide per NFPA 25: Chapter 5.

10. Nameplates

a. Inspect all locations for proper nameplate positions and indication of required control devices.

b. Inspect to ensure hydraulically designed system nameplates are in proper positions and legible.

c. Provide per NFPA 25: Chapter 5.

11. Sprinkler Head Testing

a. In each and every building remove and replace a representative sample of each type of head. Remove at least 4 (four) heads or one percent of the total existing units for the sample. Replace with like head of type and temperature.

b. Submit all samples to a NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) for professional testing.

c. Provide reports of tests as furnished by the NRTL. Contractor’s own typewritten reports will not be accepted.

d. Provide per NFPA 25: Chapter 5, Section 5.3.

DRY SYSTEMS / PRE-ACTION

1. Perform water flow test at each riser from water supply test pipe (main drain). Ensure that pressure differential is not excessive.

2. Test low air pressure alarm. Verify that alarm is reported to building fire alarm system.

3. Perform trip test of dry pipe valves including quick opening devices.

4. Upon completion of trip test, ensure that:

a. Dry pipe system is completely drained.

b. Dry pipe valve is properly reset.

c. System is restored to normal.

5. Ensure that air maintenance system is operating properly.

6. Record all operational characteristics of the system. Number, type (model), and location of compressor units. Voltage of unit(s) and location of electrical over current device(s).