Room Enclosure Integrity Testing (often called Room Integrity Test or Enclosure Integrity Test) is a specialist test performed on rooms that are protected by gaseous fire suppression systems (such as FM-200, Novec 1230, CO₂, or inert gas systems).
The purpose of the test is to measure how airtight a room is. This is done using blower door equipment to pressurize and depressurize the room and calculate how long the suppression gas would stay inside in the event of a fire. If the room leaks too much, the gas will escape quickly and fail to extinguish the fire effectively.
Why is it required?
Gas suppression systems are a logical fire suppression solution for rooms containing I.T. or electronic equipment. Unfortunately, these rooms are often the most highly modified in facilities as power, connectivity, and cooling requirements change over time. However, if a room leaks, the fire suppression agent will escape before the fire is controlled effectively.
That is why Australian Standard AS1851-2012 “Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment” requires an Enclosure Integrity Test each year. The benefits of this are widely recognised by insurers and regulatory authorities, who frequently require testing.
