Commissioning Fire Protection System: A Critical Phase Before Project Handover

In construction and EPC projects, the successful implementation of fire protection systems does not end at the installation stage. Commissioning Fire Protection System is a critical phase that verifies all systems operate in accordance with the engineering design, applicable safety standards, and the facility’s operational requirements before project handover to the owner.

Without a proper commissioning process, fire protection systems may fail to perform under emergency conditions, even if they appear complete during visual inspection. This can lead to major findings during audits, delays in project handover, and potential rejection of insurance claims.

What Is A Commissioning Fire Protection System?

Commissioning Fire Protection System is a structured verification and validation process to ensure that all fire protection systems have been:

• Installed in accordance with approved design drawings and technical specifications
• Tested mechanically, electrically, and functionally
• Proven ready to operate reliably under emergency conditions

This process forms an integral part of fire protection testing and commissioning, which includes inspections, individual testing of each subsystem, and integrated functional testing between systems. Commissioning also serves as the technical basis for system acceptance by the owner, consultants, and insurance representatives. 

Why Should Commissioning Never Be Skipped?

For contractors and EPC companies, Commissioning Fire Protection System is not merely a final project formality. This phase plays a critical role in:

• Reducing the risk of system failure during a fire due to installation errors, improper configuration, or poor system integration.
• Preventing costly rework at the final stage of the project, when deficiencies are only discovered after installation is completed.
• Ensuring compliance with standards such as NFPA, SNI, and specific insurance requirements.
• Streamlining the project handover process, as systems have been thoroughly verified and properly documented.

Without commissioning, technical risks are transferred directly into the operational phase, potentially resulting in downtime, financial losses, and legal liabilities.

Scope of Commissioning Fire Protection Systems

1. Hydrant & Sprinkler Systems

Commissioning of hydrant and sprinkler systems is intended to verify the reliability of the water supply and the effectiveness of area protection. These tests confirm that the system can deliver sufficient water flow and pressure when required. The scope typically includes:

• Inspection of piping installation, supports, valves, and accessories against approved Issued for Construction (IFC) drawings.
• Hydrostatic testing to verify pipe strength and leak tightness under test pressure.
• Flow and pressure testing to confirm the system’s capacity meets the hydraulic design criteria.
• Functional testing of fire pumps, jockey pumps, and automatic control systems.
• Verification of flow switch alarms and supervisory signals.

2. Fire alarm & detection system

For fire alarm and detection systems, commissioning ensures early fire detection and reliable notification. This stage is critical to ensure the alarm system operates in accordance with the intended fire scenarios. The scope includes:

• Verification of installation of detectors, manual call points, bells, sirens, and strobes.
• Fire alarm loop testing to ensure cable continuity, correct addressing, and reliable device communication.
• Testing of control logic and zoning in accordance with the approved cause-and-effect matrix.
• Integration testing with other systems such as sprinklers, fire pumps, HVAC shutdown, and elevator recall.
• Verification of main fire alarm control panels and repeater panels.

3. Foam, Water Spray, and High-Hazard Systems

For fire protection systems serving high-hazard areas, commissioning is conducted with heightened scrutiny due to system complexity and potential impact. The scope generally includes:

• Verification of foam or water spray system configuration in line with hazard classification.
• Inspection of valves, deluge systems, and control panels.
• Simulated system activation testing to confirm uniform distribution of the extinguishing medium.
• Verification of interlocks with process systems, utilities, or other safety systems.
• Assessment of system readiness for actual emergency conditions.

Commissioning of these systems ensures effective protection against the escalation of large-scale fire incidents.

Commonly Used Commissioning Checklists

To ensure a systematic and controlled process, projects typically use a Commissioning Fire Protection System checklist as a quality control tool. This checklist helps verify that all commissioning activities have been completed, verified, and properly documented.

This document emphasizes the scheduling, execution, and certification of checklist items to ensure compliance prior to handover to the Commissioning Management System (CMS). Once all checklist items have been completed, the document is signed by all involved parties.

1. Pre-Construction/Planning Phase

Task/Stage	PIC	Signature	Tick
Appoint a Commissioning Manager (CM) and define the responsibilities of the commissioning team.
Distribute design documentation to the main contractor, consultants, installers, and the commissioning team.
Review the design to ensure it is commissionable.
Review the design for maintainability and ease of maintenance.
Revise the design where non-compliances or deficiencies are identified.
Prepare the Commissioning Method Statement (CMS).
Develop a commissioning timeline coordinated with all project services.
Approve communication pathways and coordination arrangements among all stakeholders.

2. Construction/Pre-Handover Phase

Task/Stage	PIC	Signature	Tick
Verify whether any equipment substitutions have been made from the original design (tick if yes).
Verify whether any substitutions comply with the design requirements (tick if yes).
Confirm whether the designer has been consulted regarding any relocation of items due to site conditions (tick if yes).
Ensure that hardware installation and wiring are in accordance with the design and instructions, and that all components are complete.
Consider the suitability of commissioning processes and schedules during the construction phase.
Carry out pre-commissioning checks in accordance with the CMS and provide written confirmation of readiness for commissioning.
Schedule, carry out, and verify off-site commissioning tasks as defined in the CMS.
Perform commissioning activities in accordance with the CMS requirements.
Supervise commissioning task lists in accordance with the CMS.
Ensure the completeness of all commissioning activities.
Provide complete as-installed (as-built) drawings for inclusion in the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals.
Provide training to facilities managers, maintenance personnel, and/or end users on the required equipment.
Highlight the need for maintenance risk assessments and the provision of necessary access equipment.
Sign off the certificates of completion.

3. Finalization & Handover

Task/Stage	PIC	Signature	Tick
Schedule and complete post-handover checks if required by CMS.
Complete end user training as required by CMS.

Planning to Conduct a Commissioning Test for Your Company?

Commissioning Fire Protection System requires an independent and objective engineering and QA approach to ensure that the results are technically sound and fully defensible.

As an engineering and QA partner, Lumeshield provides EPC Support services to assist contractors and EPC companies throughout the fire protection testing and commissioning process—ensuring installations comply with design intent, applicable safety standards, and are ready for acceptance by both the owner and insurance representatives.

Ensure a smooth project handover without hidden risks. Contact us today to discuss your Commissioning Fire Protection System requirements for your project.