Commissioning and Testing
Commissioning and testing procedures are important parts of the installation process.
The interface between design, installation and operation of the installation, flue and appliance must be clear and be able to be fully understood and applied by the installer. In addition to ensuring compliance of other aspects of the installation, the elements of commissioning that are directly related to flue performance include:
- Ensuring correct gas installation and appliance pressures (eg at the burner head), including pressures under operating conditions with all appliances operating,
- Spillage of products of combustion from appliance surrounds, front of appliance and any gaps around the flue system. It is useful to test on startup as well as normal operating conditions (after ten minutes continuous operation), and
- CO/CO2 ratio test on startup (0-10 minutes operation) and under normal operating conditions (after ten minutes continuous operation)
Spillage test tests should be thorough and include checks for spillage from the draught diverter as well as from the front of the appliance. They should include any gaps around any closure plates that seal the flue or the flue connection from the room.
Care needs to be taken to ensure these are conducted thoroughly.
Equipment used to take measurements in setting up installations and in testing and commissioning should be suitable for the purpose and should be properly calibrated.
The aim is to be able to make a statement along these lines: On the basis of this test the flue operation is satisfactory and can be expected to be satisfactory under anticipated conditions, and should support any statements made in relation to certification.
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