The majority of test failures are caused by the lack of enclosure integrity or the ability of the enclosure to adequately retain the extinguishant. The correct initial design concentration is achieved but the enclosure is not able to retain it for the required/ recommended holding period.
Remedial work should then be undertaken to reduce the leakage from the enclosure. This could include;
- Sealing all holes, cracks or penetrations leading into or out of the protected space
- Pipe chases and cable trays to be sealed around the outside and inside where they penetrate the perimeter boundaries of the enclosure
- Walls to be caulked around the inside perimeter at both high and low level
- Sealing of porous block walls
- Addition of door sweeps or drop seals, weather stripping around jambs
- Sealing of windows/glazed sections to the area
One of the advantages of the sealing works being conducted whilst a test kit is in place is that it can be seen if the works being conducted are effective and, therefore, a positive result can invariably be achieved (if this is possible).
Once the appropriate remedial fire suppression work has been undertaken then the enclosure should be retested to confirm if an acceptable level of integrity has been reached.
