Room Integrity Testing on Server Rooms and Data Centres
Room integrity testing is required for a wide variety of types of rooms using many different types of fire suppression systems, whether it is part of a system installation or annual inspection or intermediate post work testing.  We undertake the integrity test using the latest high powered fan technology to test all types and sizes of enclosure from small server rooms to large data centres.

It is a requirement that a room Integrity Test be carried out at the time of the fire suppression installation. It is also a recommendation that a room Integrity Test is carried out on an annual basis as part of the routine maintenance schedule. This test is designed to ensure that an extinguishing concentration is held for a sufficient time (normally 10 minutes) to prevent re-ignition in the event of a fire.

The main two types of protected enclosures we test are Server Rooms and Data centres; however, we often get asked the question “what’s the difference between a Data Centre and Server Room?”

What is a Server Room?

A server room is ‘as it sounds’ a room that stores the servers. A data centre on the other hand is usually much bigger and is usually a whole facility dedicated to containing a vast amount of computer racks in an ultra-secure environment. The most identifiable difference is the size.

Almost any modern office that use computers will possess a server room, however, larger bodies such as large-scale businesses, universities and retail operations almost always invest in purpose built data centre infrastructure, as they all need to process much larger amounts of data; this has to be done in a secure and controlled environment.

What is a Data Centre?

Date Centres usually consist of the following three key elements:

• Building Elements – Cooling System, Air Economisers, Fire Prevention & Suppression systems and Access Flooring
• I.T. Elements – Equipment Racks, Air Containment System, Cooling Monitoring, Cabling, PDUs and Environment Sensors
• Power Elements – UPS, Generators, Switchgear, Panel Boards, Meters, Breakers and Transformers.

All this requires a facility that’s very secure along with a large physical space to house the entire collection of infrastructure and equipment. Data Centres are arguably the most important asset for any company, with this mind isn’t it essential that data centres are designed, run and maintained in the safest way possible and why room integrity testing should be used as part of every companies ongoing maintenance plan.

Due to the potential issues associated with fire damage, it is essential that your main asset can contain the gas suppressant for as long as possible to prevent the fire reigniting. To enable this it is important to ensure that good room integrity is established at the end of the enclosures construction and maintained throughout the life cycle of the enclosure.

The other 3 man questions we often get asked when it comes to testing Server Rooms and Data Centres are:

1. Does my Server Room need an Integrity Test?

Yes, you should have a room integrity test if you have any gaseous fire suppression system installed as per BS ISO 14520-1 and BS EN 15004-1, if you are unsure if your system falls under this category, please Contact Us to discuss further

2. How often do I require a Room Integrity test on my Server Room?

British Standards recommend that a Room Integrity Test is carried out at least annually and/or if the room has changed due general building work as small holes may be created or room sizes changed, due to new cable trays, pipework, vents etc.

3. How long does the Server Room Integrity Test take?

A Room Integrity Test will take around 1-2 Hours if the room is well sealed. The room will be blocked throughout the duration of the Integrity test. It will not affect any equipment within the room. After the Integrity Test you can use the room as normal.

It is with noting that the annual integrity inspection and testing are also required by the BFPSA and are routine practice at most major commercial institutions such as banks and data storage companies. The benefits of ensuring good room integrity are recognised by insurers and regulatory authorities, who frequently insist on such testing.

We undertake Room Integrity Testing on all types of protected enclosures such as small server rooms right up to the largest data centres. Our Engineers have undertaken hundreds of room integrity tests throughout the UK and using our combined experience within the Fire Suppression Industry and are able to provide help and advice on your Room Integrity Test requirements.

It is our ongoing aim to provide clients a ‘one stop’ Room Integrity Testing service to cater for their most exacting requirements. We only use high quality equipment that is UKAS calibrated – a basic requirement of a UKAS accredited testing laboratory.  We are also certified to Level 2 for Room Integrity Testing.

For further information on our room integrity testing services, please download our Room Integrity Test Checklist to help you prepare fr the testing. If you have any further questions please contact our technical manager Darren on 07775623464 or email us at info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk

What is Room Integrity Testing and do I need one?
Room integrity testing is required wherever a gaseous fire suppression system is installed to a room within a building. A gaseous fire suppression system is a highly effective and proven way of protecting your building against a fire, however it is not effective if your protected enclosure is not airtight, otherwise the agent may escape too quickly. The system works by releasing a gas agent into an enclosure which reduces the oxygen levels to suppress or put out the fire. 

To ensure the whole system works effectively, a Room Integrity Test should be completed at the point of install and not more than 12 months thereafter. A Room integrity Test works by creating pressure within the room or enclosure where the Fire Suppression System has been installed. The Test then measures the integrity of the room to ensure the gas does not dissipate to quickly before being able to extinguish the fire. For the Fire Suppression System to work effectively the enclosure needs to hold the gas and protect the equipment for a set period – usually 10 minutes. Here is some more information for Room Integrity Testing.

The most common protected rooms are Server Rooms and Data Centres, and the most Common Fire Suppression Systems are FM200, Inergen, IG55, NOVEC 1230. If you are unsure if you have one of the above systems, please Contact Us for further info. 

Does my Room need an Integrity Test?

Yes, you should have a room integrity test if you have any gaseous fire suppression system installed as per BS ISO 14520-1 and BS EN 15004-1, if you are unsure if your system falls under this category, please Contact Us to discuss further

How often do I require a Room Integrity test?

British Standards recommend that a Room Integrity Test is carried out at least annually and/or if the room has changed due general building work as small holes may be created or room sizes changed, due to new cable trays, pipework, vents etc.

How long does the Room Integrity Test take?

A Room Integrity Test will take around 1-2 Hours if the room is well sealed. The room will be blocked throughout the duration of the Integrity test. It will not affect any equipment within the room. After the Integrity Test you can use the room as normal.

What if the Room Fails the Integrity Test?

Unsurprisingly, many rooms fail an Integrity Test, due to construction works being undertaken to the room envelope, this is usually due to running new services through walls, floors or ceilings. If the room does fail don’t panic as we can undertake a smoke survey and produce a full report detailing the air leakage paths and we can even provide a bespoke room sealing service, should it be required. Once the leakage is identified this will be sealed using specialist sealing products with the associated certification.

How quick can I get my results?

The Room Integrity Test results can be sent to our clients Electronically within 24 hours, whether the rooms have passed or failed. If the room fails, a cost will then be sent over for any associated sealing works and a further Room Integrity Test.

How many Room integrity Tests do I need?

As a Gaseous suppression system can cover multiple rooms You would require a test for each of these rooms. In many cases a building will have a server room and an associated UPS (Battery) Room which are both protected, in this instance 2 tests would be required.

Why use APT for your Room Integrity Test

APT was formed to meet the increasing demands of Building Regulations. We are a multi UKAS accredited company so you can be sure our reportage is of the highest quality. We undertake Room Integrity Testing on all types of protected enclosures from huge power station turbine enclosures, through to server rooms and data centres. We are now one of the leading Room Integrity Companies in the UK.

Our Engineers have over 40 years combined experience within the Fire Suppression Industry and are able to provide help and advice on your Room Integrity Test needs. We can also help if you have previously failed your integrity test, we can visit site and undertake localised smoke testing with air leakage reports. We can even undertake the fire sealing works if so required.

It is our ongoing aim to provide clients a ‘one stop’ Room Integrity Testing service to cater for their most exacting requirements. We only use high quality equipment that is UKAS calibrated – a basic requirement of a UKAS accredited testing laboratory. 

If you have a protected enclosure that requires a room integrity test, please contact us at: info@airpressuretesting.net or call Darren direct on 07775623464. We undertake testing throughout London and the South East.

Acoustic design and sound testing on conversions projects don’t need to be problematic. If you are currently managing the process of an office or house convert houses into flats or ‘Rooms for Residential Use’, then you need to pay attention to the acoustic design from the design stage of the project.

Air Pressure Testing  have many years of experience in providing quality sound insulation testing and acoustic design services  designed to help you meet these essential legal requirements of Building Regulations Part E. We are a UKAS accredited company, so you can be sure that our services are undertake to the highest laboratory standards.

The types of projects that need to comply with this piece of legislation are:

1. House to flat conversions
2. Commercial building to flat conversions.
3. Hotels and hostels
4. Boarding houses
5. Halls of residence
6. Residential homes

Our six stage process is designed to get the very best results and help you comply with Approved Document E:

1. Stage 1 – We review the architect’s drawings to check the required acoustic principles have been followed and make comment as and when necessary.
2. Stage 2 – We undertake a site visit and analyse the current state of building construction.  And to check there are no site specific construction problems that may affect the acoustic performance of the building.  This helps us to get a more accurate overview of which acoustic treatments will be necessary.
3. Stage 3 – We’ll provide you with a full and detailed acoustic design report that outlines which acoustic treatments will be required to ensure the conversion meets the criteria for Document E.  We’ll work out the cheapest and most efficient way of converting the building as well as taking into account buildability issues.
4. Stage 4 – We will provide ongoing support to assist the builder/consultant to ensuring that the level of detail required is met and deal with any ongoing issues that may arise.
5. Stage 5 – We can try to save you further money by providing building materials at a reduced rate.
6. Stage 6 – We undertake the final pre-completion sound testing to achieve compliance with Approved Document E.

We’ve successfully guided our clients through hundreds of different conversion projects and can boast a 100 per cent success rate where we have been involved in the acoustic design.

There are two distinct types of noise to when undertaking acoustic design on conversions, they are:

• Airborne Noise (for example speech and music) and
• Impact Noise (for example footsteps directly on the floor above) and

Even if both types of sound are emitting through the ceiling/floor then there are acoustic solutions that should reduce the sound levels and improve your sound insulation test results.

Part E stipulates that 10% of each party wall/floor construction type to be tested. The Sound insulation testing is to be carried out between pairs of rooms separated by party walls and/or floors. In is usual to test between living rooms and bedrooms as these are classed as the two main ‘habitable’ rooms; however if this isn’t possible other rooms can be used such as study’s, kitchens and dining rooms.

Unfortunately, we are currently experiencing a rise in the amount of sound testing failures – where we have not been involved in the acoustic design) mainly due to the conversion of office blocks into residential developments. Some of the buildings have unusual construction elements such as honeycomb floors which can be very weak acoustically, due to their lack of mass, taking this into account it is extremely important that we are involved from the start of the project.

If a building fails its sound insulation test it’s usually down to a problem with the acoustic due to issues such as noise flanking etc. One common cause of noise flanking is often associated with the inclusion of lightweight blocks within the construction of the building envelope. Clients often call us in when their building has failed the sound testing. Many other sound testing companies simply offer sound testing but no acoustic design services, we offer a comprehensive acoustic design and sound test package – as detailed in our 6 stage design service.

We undertake UKAS accredited Part E sound testing in London and throughout the rest of the UK. We use the latest class 1 acoustic equipment and we are a UKAS accredited company, so our clients can be sure that all testing is completed to a strict ISO quality controlled standard. We undertake sound testing throughout London and the UK.

If you would like advice on your acoustic design or sound testing in London, please contact us now at info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk or call us on 07775623464.

Electrical Thermal Imaging Survey?
An Electrical thermal imaging survey is a non-evasive and non-destructive procedure using infrared technology.

Thermographic inspections are the only technique of work that is able to identify any electrical issues like the ones above, in a quick non-disruptive manor or to more precise safety standards. Not only is the thermal imaging fast and safe, it is also a great way to minimise costs as it allows defects to be detected before the equipment fails meaning you don’t need to pay out as much to get it fixed.

As infrared electrical inspections can spot faults before they occur, they can help to extend the life cycle of electrical equipment and identify energy savings for your industry. To try and help clients understand the what involved in a thermal imaging survey, please see our article: A Technical Explanation of Thermal Imaging Surveys.

What’s Involved in an Electrical Thermal Imaging Survey?

Thermal imaging is commonly used for inspections of electrical systems and components in all shapes and sizes. The use of thermography in any electrical installation can help identify faults before they occur, thereby preventing breakdowns, the need for replacement and even fires within the systems and buildings.

An electrical thermal imaging survey using a thermal imaging camera can be used on different types of equipment including:

• Busbar systems
• Distribution boards and fuse boards
• High voltage systems
• Transformers
• Control panels
• Batteries
• UPS systems
• Switchgears and switchboards

Using infrared technology on electrical infrastructure is a renowned method of predictive maintenance and done correctly it can be effective at fault finding prior to equipment failure but it needs to be carried out correctly. Our strict protocols ensure that the faults we document are indeed items that require investigation and possibly remedial work and not simply loaded circuits manifesting temperature.

Thermal imaging can help identify many potential failures such as:

• Poor Connections – Thermal imaging can detect the problems of a poor electrical connection early, the same goes for instances where the electrical cabinets may be overloaded.
• Electrical Leakage – Thermal imaging Surveys are able to find any evidence of a leak happening, in time for you to undertake remedial to preventing possible harm to you and damage to your building/s.
• Insulator Defects – Using thermography you can be protected from the dangerous parts of electricity, ensuring insulators are working properly.
• Internal Fuse Damage – Helps to prevent the risk of a fuse blowing, from an extensive current flowing through it.
• Oxidation of High Voltage Switches – thermography helps highlight potential resistance between connectors, enabling you to finding the problem before it occurs

Our Electrical Inspections involve:

• All panels removed where acceptable, safe to do so and on the Permit to Work
• All electrical equipment/panels/cubicles etc inspected have their own individual trend page which includes a thermogram and digital image, ambient, measured and delta T trending of temperature
• Trending compares data automatically between inspections. Last four thermograms are included on each page and all trend data is captured and displayed in a table and also in graphical format for Measured, Ambient and Delta T (meas/Amb) to allow for condition monitoring of equipment.

Detailed thermal imaging Fault Reports

Our detailed thrmal imaging reports contain fault pages that include a load correction formula is utilised during the inspection. Using component rating, actual load, measured temp and ambient temp, the following values are produced:

• Load corr temp: estimate of component temp if operating at 100% load
• Fault severity based on load corr temp – ref temp (from BS7671)
• Estimation of maximum amps to apply whilst keeping temperature beneath reference temp (BS7671)
• Instant report generation which can be emailed to the client at the end of the inspection

Why use a Level 3 Thermography Engineer on your electrical survey

The importance of using one of our Level 3 trained thermographers cannot be understated as they are trained to be write predictive maintenance and inspection practices and to develop test procedures and ascertain severity criteria. To try and help clients prepare for the thermal imaging survey to their building, we have written the following article: How we carry our thermal Surveys on commercial buildings.

To try and help facility managers with their electrical and mechanical surveys, we have also written the following article: thermal imaging inspections for facilities management. Also, throughout the UK BREEAM projects are becoming more common place. BREEAM provides extra points to projects that have a BREEAM Thermal survey undertaken, as not many clients are aware of this, we have included more information in our article ‘What is a BREEAM thermal Imaging Survey’. Also to try and help clients prepare for their survey please download our Thermal Imaging Checklist.

We use the latest high resolution thermal imaging cameras to undertake our Thermographic Surveys throughout London and the Southeast.  Thermal imaging is one the quickest and easiest ways to undertake fault diagnosis on your buildings,  as thermography can quickly and accurately identify  building faults and a easy to follow report, so the defects can be quickly indented and rectified by the contractors.

We pride ourselves on offering a proactive service from start to finish. We have extensive experience of assessing thermal performance on many electrical systems on all types of buildings from commercial launderettes, right through to large power stations. 

If you would like more information in regards to Thermography Surveys in London, please contact us now at: info@aptthermography.net or call us direct at: 07775 623464