NFPA Standard : NFPA 2001 Standard (2000 Edition)

Standard	Comments
3-3 Enclosure
3-3.1 In the design of a total flooding system, the characteristics of the protected enclosure shall be considered.
3-3.2 The area of unclosable openings in the protected enclosure shall be kept to a minimum.
3-3.3 The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to require pressurization/ depressurization of the protected enclosure or other tests to assure performance meeting the requirements of this standard (see Appendix C).
3-3.4 To prevent loss of agent through openings to adjacent hazards or work areas, openings shall be permanently sealed or equipped with automatic closures. Where reasonable confinement of agent is not practicable, protection shall be expanded to include the adjacent connected hazards or work areas or additional agent shall be introduced in the protected enclosure using an extended discharge configuration.	Extended discharge recommended where openings can’t be sealed.
3-3.5 Forced-air ventilating systems shall be shut down or closed automatically where their continued operation would adversely affect the performance of the fire extinguishment agent system or result in propagation of the fire. Completely self-containment recirculating ventilation systems are not required to shut down. The volume of the system and associated ductwork shall be considered as part of the total hazard volume when determining quantity of agent.
3-3.6	Venting shall be provided if there is any risk of overpressure during the discharge.
3-6* Duration of Protection. It is important that the agent design concentration not only shall be achieved, but also shall be maintained for a sufficient period of time to allow effective emergency action by trained personnel. This is equally important in all classes of fires since a persistent ignition source (e.g. an arc, heat source, oxyacetylene torch, or “deep-seated” fire) can lead to resurgence of the initial event once the clean agent has dissipated. _Exception: Ventilation systems necessary to ensure safety are not required to be shut down upon activation of the fire suppression system. An extended agent discharge shall be provided to maintain the design concentration for the required duration of protection.	This time is usually 10 minutes but this should be considered more carefully. Take into account response time for fire dept. or other personnel; the mass of the fuel; the extent of “deep-seated” potential.
4-1.1 At least annually, all systems shall be thoroughly inspected and tested for proper operation by competent personnel. Discharge tests are not required.
4-4 Enclosure Inspection. At least every 12 months, the enclosure protected by the clean agent shall be thoroughly inspected to determine if penetrations or other changes have occurred that could adversely affect agent leakage or indicates conditions that could result in inability to maintain the clean agent concentration, they shall be corrected. If uncertainty still exists, the enclosures shall be tested for integrity in accordance with 4-7.2.3.	There will almost always be cause for a re-test since enclosures always become leakier with time. It is far easier to set up the door fan and retest than to do a detailed inspection to find holes in the enclosures.
4-5.3 Any penetrations made through the enclosure protected by the clean agent shall be sealed immediately. The method of sealing shall restore the original fire resistance rating of the enclosure	Door fan test will show enclosure is sealed.
4-6.1 All persons who might be expected to inspect, test, maintain, or operate fire extinguishing systems shall be thoroughly trained and kept thoroughly trained in the functions they are expected to perform.	AHJ may ask to see certificate of course completion on door for testing.
4-7.2.2.10* If a discharge test is to be conducted, containers for the agent to be used shall be weighed before and after discharge. Fill weight of container shall be verified by weighing or other approved methods. For inert gas clean agents, container pressure shall be recorded before and after discharge.
4-7.2.3* Review Enclosure Integrity. All total flooding systems shall have the enclosure examined and tested to locate and than effectively seal any significant air leaks that could result in a failure of the enclosure to hold the specified agent concentration level for the specified holding period. The currently preferred method is using a blower door fan unit and smoke pencil. If quantitative results are recorded, these could be useful for comparison at future tests (For guidance, see Appendix B ).	This clumsily worded section is usually taken to mean that all clean agent systems must have a door fan test. The quantitative results are used when enclosure is re-tested.
All of Appendix C