Bygningsreglements vejledning til kap 5 - Brand: Chapter 6 Functional Testing and System Integration
This guidance document, Bygningsreglements vejledning til kap 5 – Brand, Kapitel 6: Funktionsafprøvning og systemintegration, Version 2.1, was issued on March 4, 2021, by the Danish Authority of Social Services and Housing (Bolig- og Planstyrelsen). It provides the technical framework for complying with the Danish Building Regulations 2018 (BR18), specifically sections 134 to 142. The document establishes requirements for the inspection and verification of fire technical installations in buildings throughout their operational life.
The scope of this chapter covers both individual functional testing (funktionsafprøvning) and integrated system testing (systemintegrationstest) for fire safety installations and firefighting equipment. It applies to various building categories, with specific rigorous requirements for building sections classified in Risk Classes 2-4. Regulated systems include automatic fire alarms (ABA), smoke ventilation (ABV), sprinkler systems (AVS), pressure stabilization (ATA), firefighter elevators, emergency lighting, and warning systems. The document defines the mandatory involvement of accredited inspection bodies and outlines documentation standards for commissioning and periodic maintenance.
The following sections detail the specific procedures for testing before occupancy, ongoing maintenance intervals, and the categorization of defects found during inspections.
Functional Testing and System Integration Before Commissioning
According to BR18 § 134, functional testing must be completed before a building is taken into use to document that every fire technical installation and piece of firefighting equipment operates as intended. Where multiple systems are designed to interact, a system integration test is required per BR18 § 136 to verify the cohesive functionality of the linked installations.
- Functional Testing: Documentation proving individual installations, such as alarms or sprinklers, meet performance requirements.
- System Integration Test: Verification that the combined system of interconnected fire safety installations performs the desired functions correctly.
- Accredited Inspection: For buildings in Risk Classes 2-4, these tests must be performed by an inspection body accredited according to DS/EN ISO/IEC 17020.
Periodic Testing and Lifelong Maintenance
Fire safety measures, including materials, constructions, and technical installations, must be controlled and maintained throughout the building's lifetime according to BR18 § 140. Mandatory periodic testing by accredited bodies applies to specific installations in buildings within Risk Classes 2-4.
- ABA-anlæg: Automatic fire alarm systems.
- ABV-anlæg: Automatic fire ventilation systems.
- AVS-anlæg: Automatic sprinkler systems.
- ATA-anlæg: Automatic pressure stabilization systems.
- Warning Systems: Auditory or visual alert systems for occupants.
- Emergency Lighting: Escape route and panic lighting installations.
For installations not requiring accredited inspection, the owner or operations manager is responsible for ensuring functional testing follows the descriptions for control, service, and maintenance provided in Chapter 7 of this guidance.
Classification of Defects and Inspection Results
Errors and omissions identified during inspections are categorized based on their severity. The building owner is responsible for correcting these within specified timeframes to maintain the validity of the installation's approval.
- Category A: Critical defects with significant impact on safety; these must be repaired immediately.
- Category B: Defects affecting functionality that must be corrected within 2 months.
- Category C: Minor defects that must be corrected as soon as possible and no later than the next scheduled test.
If an accredited inspection body identifies a Category A defect that poses a risk of personal injury in the event of a fire, they are legally required to notify the municipal board (kommunalbestyrelsen).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fire safety installations require testing by an accredited body?
Accredited testing is mandatory for ABA, ABV, AVS, and ATA systems, as well as firefighter elevators, warning systems, and emergency lighting in buildings within Risk Classes 2-4.
What is the maximum delay allowed for periodic fire safety tests?
Accredited functional tests and system integration tests must be planned according to fixed intervals and must not be exceeded by more than 3 months.
Is a system integration test required for all buildings?
It is required whenever multiple fire technical installations are interconnected and must function together, specifically for buildings in Risk Classes 2-4 before occupancy and periodically thereafter.
What standard must an inspection body meet to be accredited?
The inspection body must be accredited according to DS/EN ISO/IEC 17020 – Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection.
Who must receive the report after a functional test?
The report for the initial test must be sent to the client, the building owner, the certified fire consultant, and the firm responsible for installation and self-control.
What happens if a fire technical installation is not approved during the first inspection?
A new inspection for approval can only occur once the inspection body has received written confirmation that the identified defects have been corrected.
