Acceptance test, function test and maintenance of hold-open systems
Information on acceptance tests of hold-open systems
After the ready-to-use installation of a hold-open system at the place of use, its faultless function and correct installation must be verified by an acceptance test. It must be arranged by the operator of the hold-open system.
The acceptance test for DICTATOR hold-open systems may only be carried out by specialists of the company DICTATOR or other specialists authorized by DICTATOR (e.g. after successful completion of a fire protection seminar) or by specialists of a test centre designated by the DIBt in the approval procedure.
The acceptance test must include, at least, the following items:
- It must be checked whether the installed devices of the hold-open system comply with the devices specified in the general building authority approval.
- It must be checked whether the labelling of the installed devices corresponds to the labelling given in the general building authority approval.
- The interaction of all devices must be verified on the basis of the general building authority approval, whereby triggering must be carried out both by simulation of the fire parameter on which the functional principle of the detector is based and manually.
- It must be checked whether the closure is released for automatic closing if the hold-open system becomes inoperative (e.g. by removing a detector or by failure of the main power supply).
After a successful acceptance test, the operator must permanently place a 105 mm x 52 mm sign – to be supplied by the manufacturer of the hold-open system – on the wall in the immediate vicinity of the closure with the following inscription:
Hold-open system
(logo)
Number of approval / type approval
Inspection by
Month & year of inspection / acceptance
A certificate of the successful acceptance test should be issued to the operator and shall be kept by them.
Notes on testing and maintenance of hold-open systems
Monthly / quarterly function test
The functional test includes the following checks:
- of the manual release
- of the fire detectors by simulating the fire parameter (smoke detector with test aerosol/temperature detector with heat)
- whether the fire protection or smoke protection closure is released for automatic closing after triggering
- resetting the fire detectors from the alarm condition
- whether environmental influences impair the function of the system
- whether the use in the immediate vicinity of the hold-open system exerts negative influence on it (e.g. dust, water vapour)
- whether the function of the hold-open system is influenced by structural changes or interactions with other installations.
Annual inspection and maintenance (by a specialist)
The annual maintenance includes all elements of a functional test and additionally the following elements:
- Verification of the conformity of the documentation and the building authority approval
- Cleaning of the functionally relevant components of the hold-open system
- Preventive replacement of components of the hold-open system according to manufacturer’s specifications
- Checking the hold-open system in the event of a power failure
- Checking the release of the hold-open system when a fire detector is removed
All inspections and maintenance must be documented. The records must be deposited with the operator of the hold-open system.
Marking of the closing area
The area of a hold-open system should be clearly and visibly marked:
- by means of inscription,
- markings on the floor
- or similar
