Room Integrity Test

ROOM INTEGRITY TEST

Name: Room Integrity Test
Brand: Ayso Fire Protection

Room Integrity and Gas Hold Time in Gaseous Fire Suppression Systems

What is a Room Integrity Test?

A room integrity test is a technical test conducted to determine the leak tightness of a volume protected by a gaseous fire suppression system and its capacity to maintain the extinguishing gas for the required duration. It is also known in practice as a Door Fan Test or Enclosure Integrity Test. During the test, the leakage characteristics of the protected volume are measured, and the estimated gas hold time is calculated without discharging the actual extinguishing gas into the room.

In gaseous fire suppression systems, simply designing the correct amount of gas is not enough. Openings such as doors, cable transits, pipe penetrations, ventilation ducts, dampers, raised floors, and suspended ceilings also directly affect system performance. Therefore, checking room integrity is a crucial part of the system's commissioning and performance verification process.

Why is a Room Integrity Test Performed?

The primary purpose of the test is to verify the room integrity, ensuring that when the gaseous fire suppression system is activated, the extinguishing gas remains in the protected volume for the required duration.

To identify air leaks in the protected volume
To measure the room's leak tightness performance
To calculate the estimated hold time of the extinguishing gas
To check critical points such as door, wall, cable, and pipe transits
To evaluate system performance without discharging the actual extinguishing gas
To generate technical test results for commissioning and acceptance processes

How is a Door Fan Test Performed?

During a Door Fan Test, a special fan system is installed at the entrance door of the protected volume. The room is pressurized and depressurized in a controlled manner. Using the air flow and pressure values measured at different pressure levels, the leakage characteristics of the volume are determined.

Stage	Application	Purpose
1. Pre-check	Doors, seals, vents, cable transits, pipe penetrations, and the boundaries of the volume are checked.	To identify potential open points
2. Equipment installation	The Door Fan system and pressure measurement equipment are mounted on the door.	To create a controlled test environment
3. Pressure test	The volume is pressurized and depressurized at specific pressure levels.	To measure air leakage behavior
4. Data analysis	Pressure and airflow measurements are evaluated.	To determine leakage characteristics
5. Hold time calculation	The gas hold time is calculated using test data and volume properties.	To evaluate suppression performance
6. Correction and retest	If necessary, leakage points are sealed and the test is repeated.	To meet acceptance criteria

What is Hold Time (Gas Hold Time)?

Hold Time is the minimum duration the discharged gas must remain within the protected volume after the activation of a gaseous suppression system to completely extinguish the fire and prevent potential re-ignition. Although this duration varies depending on the relevant standards and the gas used, it constitutes the fundamental success criterion of the room integrity test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a room integrity test mandatory?

In areas where gaseous fire suppression systems are used, a room integrity (Door Fan) test is mandatory according to relevant standards (e.g., NFPA 2001) and regulations to ensure the system operates correctly and efficiently.

Is actual gas used during the test?

No. The biggest advantage of the test is measuring the room's leakage performance using air with a fan and pressurization method, without discharging the expensive and limited actual extinguishing gas into the room.

How long does the test take?

Depending on the size of the volume and the status of pre-test preparations (pre-check), the measurement procedures for a standard room are typically completed within a few hours.

What happens if a room fails the integrity test?

The identified leakage points (cable transits, under doors, etc.) are isolated and sealed with appropriate insulation materials, and then the test is repeated until the acceptance criteria are met.