Austin Fire Department
Fire Marshal’s Office
505 Barton Springs Rd, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78704
Sequence Test FAQ
What is a sequence test?
A sequence test is an inspection of the fire and life safety systems in a high rise building. It
is performed by an Inspector or Inspectors from the City of Austin Fire Marshal’s Office. It is
required annually for all high rise buildings in Austin.
Does my building need a sequence test?
The Austin Fire Department requires an annual sequence test for any building classified as
a high rise. The fire code (IFC 2012) defines a high rise as “a building with an occupied floor
located more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.” The
AFD Prevention Division keeps records of these buildings as they are constructed and is
therefore able to track compliance with the annual inspection.
Does a sequence test cost anything?
Initial sequence testing performed during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 7:00am
– 3:30pm) is provided by the Fire Marshal’s Office at no cost to the building property
manager. Should you request an “after-hours” inspection, there is an hourly fee assessed,
per assigned Inspector. Additionally, re-inspection fees will be assessed for appointments
canceled with less than 48 hours’ notice and for buildings that require a sequence test reinspection due to a noted violation.
How do I pay any required fees for my sequence test?
When you schedule your sequence test, the Inspector will tell you if fees need to be
collected. If fees apply, the Inspector will estimate how many hours to charge based upon
the complexity of your building’s systems. He will collect contact information for the
responsible party and have a statement generated and emailed to you. The fee may be paid
over the phone using a credit card. Fees may also be paid by check through the mail or in
Crum ‐ 1 ‐ rev. 11/4/14 person at our office. If you choose to pay by check, please include your statement number
on the check.
How can I prepare for a sequence test?
It is important to approach this inspection from the standpoint that this is an opportunity to
demonstrate a properly-maintained array of pre-tested building systems. A sequence test is
not intended to generate a “punch list” of annual deficiencies. Therefore, please ensure that
all systems that require an annual maintenance inspection (provided by a licensed
contractor) have up-to-date tags indicating an acceptable status. This will help you to avoid
being charged a re-inspection fee for a subsequent visit from an Inspector. Again, these
annual maintenance inspections need to occur before the date of the sequence test. They
will not occur during the sequence test.
Additional documentation that you will need to provide to your Inspector in order to pass
your sequence test includes:
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Annual stairwell pressurization test
Annual smoke removal system test (if applicable)
Record of annual fire drills
Record of annual maintenance for private hydrants (if applicable)
Annual PRV partial-flow test (if applicable)
5-year standpipe flow test
5-year PRV flow test (if applicable)
5-year smoke detector sensitivity test
AFD Fire Protection Systems permit (if obtained)
How do I schedule a sequence test?
Call or email Lieutenant Rob Crum at the Fire Marshal’s Office to schedule your inspection.
Phone: 512-974-0175. Email: Robert.crum@austintexas.gov.
After you schedule your inspection, you will be emailed an information packet, including a
summary of the sequence test procedure. This will allow you to pre-test all items on that list
so there are no unpleasant surprises on the day of your inspection.
What can I expect to happen during my sequence test?
Your Inspector(s) will arrive promptly at the scheduled time and proceed through an
inspection checklist that will closely mirror the summary previously emailed to you. In some
instances, an Austin Fire Department engine company will attend and assist with the
Crum ‐ 2 ‐ rev. 11/4/14 inspection. This is an opportunity for them to maintain familiarity with their assigned territory
and learn about your building’s fire protection features. There is no fee or required action on
your part should an engine company attend.
What happens after my sequence test?
Within a few days of the conclusion of your sequence test, the Inspector will generate two
reports that will be emailed to you detailing any code violations that require correction. One
report will be specific to sequence test items, violations tied directly to the core fire and life
safety systems of your building. The second report will be specific to “maintenance”
inspection items discovered during the course of the sequence test. While you will be
responsible for correcting violations noted in both reports, only items from the sequence test
report will be subject to a re-inspection fee. The scheduling and follow-up of re-inspections
will be coordinated through your Inspector. Your Inspector will be available by phone and
email should you have any questions before or after your inspection.
Crum ‐ 3 ‐ rev. 11/4/14 Austin Fire Department
Fire Marshal’s Office
505 Barton Springs Rd, Suite 200
Austin, TX 78704
Sequence Test Information
for Building Representatives
Now that you have scheduled a sequence test for your building, let’s make sure that you are
prepared for the inspection. Your main point of contact regarding this inspection is Lieutenant
Rob Crum. Should you need any assistance throughout this process, he may be contacted via
email (Robert.crum@austintexas.gov) or phone (512-974-0175).
Before the Day of Your Sequence Test
1. Ensure that all systems in your building that require an annual maintenance inspection
(provided by a licensed contractor) have up-to-date tags indicating an acceptable status.
This means that your system contractor has already come out, checked the system, and has
determined that there are no deficiencies that would result in a failed inspection of the
system. Annual maintenance inspections by contractors are not to be done during sequence
testing.
2. Ensure that you have documentation for the following annual requirements:
• Stairwell pressurization test1
• Smoke removal system test (if applicable)1
• Building evacuation drills (required for building employees only)
• AFD Fire Protection Systems permit (if obtained)2
• Test/maintenance for any private hydrants (if applicable)
• PRV partial-flow test (if applicable)
1
The stairwell pressurization test and smoke removal system test must be performed by an
AFD-approved Special Inspection Agency (refer to additional attachment “AFD Special
Inspection Agencies”).
2
Further information regarding this requirement may be found here:
http://www.austintexas.gov/afdpermits
3. Ensure that you have documentation for the following 5-year requirements:
• Standpipe flow test3
• PRV test
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•
Smoke detector sensitivity test
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The standpipe flow test must be performed by AFD. This may be scheduled by your
sprinkler contractor through the Fire Marshal’s Office at 512-974-0153.
Emailing the above documentation to the Inspector prior to your sequence test will keep you
from spending time during the inspection searching for paperwork while your contractors
wait around.
4. Arrange to have your system contractors present at the appropriate times. You will need to
have a representative on site for each fire and life safety system that is being tested. The
typical list of required personnel includes:
• Fire alarm system technician
• Fire pump technician
• Emergency power generator technician
• Elevator technician
• Two building representatives/engineers4
4
When the alarm system is tested, two building representatives plus the Inspector will be able to
walk all three floors in alarm simultaneously.
Under the heading “Inspection Process,” you will see that an attempt will be made to
examine the building systems in a logical order. This means that some technicians will be
standing by until their systems are involved in the inspection. You might consider delaying
the arrival time of your generator technician and fire pump technician by up to one hour.
5. Having several 2-way radios on hand for the day of the inspection will save time and reduce
frustration when needing to communicate with system contractors in remote portions of the
building (e.g., requesting alarm and elevator resets from upper floors to the FCR).
6. Should you need to reschedule or cancel your sequence test, please notify Lt. Crum at least
48 hours in advance of your appointment. Failure to do so will result in a re-inspection fee
being assessed prior to being able to re-schedule.
7. You will receive a phone call from your Inspector one business day prior to your inspection
confirming your appointment time. If you have not heard from your Inspector by 3pm, please
call Lt Crum.
The Day of Your Sequence Test
Your Inspector will arrive promptly at the scheduled time to begin the inspection. He may be
accompanied by another Inspector or, in some cases, an Austin Fire Department engine
company. There will be very few differences in the inspection process, regardless of which AFD
representatives are present.
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Inspection Process
Your inspection will follow an orderly process in order to achieve a thorough and consistent
evaluation of your building’s systems. Though deviations may occur, as deemed necessary
by the Inspector, the typical sequence test will proceed as follows:
 Brief meeting with all participants
 Inspector will record names and contact information of all representatives
 Building perimeter walk-around, checking:
 Building address number visible from street
 FDC condition and signage
 Knox Box must contain keys for:
 Main entrance
 Fire Control Room (FCR)
 Firefighter keybox in FCR
 Alarm tech will make P.A. announcement regarding alarm testing
 P.A. functionality will be checked
 FCR will be checked for the presence of the following:
 Approved set of alarm plans
 Elevator hoistway door key (drop key)
 At least six identical, labeled, and complete sets of building keys in the firefighter
keybox
 At least six plug-in firefighter phone handsets
 Simple building floorplan posted for firefighter use, indicating location of:
 Fire pump
 Stairwells
 Sprinkler control valves
 FDC(s)
(see “FCR Floorplan Example” below)
 FCR cannot be used to store any items unrelated to fire and life safety systems,
such as:
 Security computers
 Muzak systems
 Cleaning supplies
 Rolling carts
 Other general storage
 If you have not already emailed these, documentation for the following will be checked:
 Annual stairwell pressurization test
 Annual smoke removal system test
 Annual AFD Fire Protection Systems permit
 Annual building evacuation drill
 Annual test/maintenance of private hydrants
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Annual PRV partial-flow test
5-year standpipe flow test
5-year PRV test
5-year smoke detector sensitivity test
 Elevator testing on normal building power (for each elevator bank)
 Initiate phase I recall using key switch in main-floor elevator lobby
 Activate smoke detector in main-floor elevator lobby to test phase I recall to alternate
floor
 Activate smoke detector in upper-floor elevator lobby to test phase I recall to main
discharge level
 Check all elevator car emergency phones
 Check all elevator car firefighter phone jacks
 Check phase II operation of all elevator cars
 Test emergency power generator
 Check labeling and condition of transfer switch
 Check labeling and condition of electrical disconnect for emergency systems
 Transfer power of emergency systems to generator
 Observe all elevator cars return to the main level discharge and open their doors
 Test elevator selector switch
 Operate elevators in phase II
 Activate one alarm device to test function of alarm system
 Ensure that emergency lighting functions throughout building
 Test operation (both automatic and manual) of stairwell pressurization
 Test operation (both automatic and manual) of smoke removal system
 Fire pump testing on emergency power
 Verify power supply indicating lamps on pump controller are functional
 Operate fire pump on emergency power (start pump with pressure drop)
 Verify proper signals are sent to the alarm panel
• AC power fail
• Supplied by emergency/standby power
• Pump run
 Check conditions of the fire pump room:
• Functional emergency lighting
• Protection from cold temperatures (<40ºF)
• Fire rating of room is not compromised (no gaps in walls or ceilings)
• Presence of spare sprinkler heads and wrench
• Functional firefighter phone jack
 Return emergency systems to normal power
 Verify with generator technician that all emergency loads were picked up by the
generator
 Pump technician and generator technician may leave at this point
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 Inspect each elevator machine room
 Activate machine room smoke detector to initiate phase I recall and test flashing “fire
helmet” light in elevator cars
 Activate machine room heat detector to test electrical shunt
 Elevator technician may leave at this point
 Test alarm system
 Place personnel on the top floor and the next two floors below
 Activate initiating device on middle floor of the three
 Walk floors, checking for:
 A/V function
 Fire door function
 HVAC shutdown
 Stairwell pressurization
 Release of electronically locked doors
 Firefighter phone jack function
 Condition of standpipes
 Additional “maintenance” items, such as:
• Exit signs
• Proper storage of combustibles
• Clear means of egress
• Presence of AED on each level
• Presence and maintenance of fire extinguishers
• Intact ceilings and walls
• Maintenance of sprinkler heads
• Proper condition of electrical wiring
• Proper use of extension cords
 Personnel move down three floors
 Verify that notification devices are NOT activated on those floors
 Reset the alarm, and repeat the process until all floors are covered
 Have the alarm tech verify signals with the monitoring company
 Brief wrap-up meeting between building engineer and Inspector
The Inspector will discuss any issues that need urgent or immediate correction. He may
also verbally give you a rough list of violations. But, the formal report will be emailed to
you by the end of the following business day, in most cases. Occasionally, reports will be
delayed if the Inspector needs to do any research regarding possible code violations.
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Following Your Sequence Test
The Inspector will email you two formal, written reports. One report will be for the sequence test
and will enumerate any violations that relate to the core fire and life safety systems of your
building. The second report will be called a “Maintenance Inspection” report and will contain
violations discovered during the sequence test that do not directly involve your building’s core
fire and life safety systems.
Example 1: An elevator does not properly operate in phase II = sequence item.
Example 2: An exit sign is not illuminated = maintenance item.
The reason for separating the violations into two reports is not to rank the importance of one
item over another. Rather, it is to help ensure that your annual sequence test is evaluated
as “satisfactory” on the initial visit by the Inspector, eliminating the need for a re-inspection.
To explain:
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•
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The information in this packet is designed to fully prepare you for all items that will be
inspected on your sequence test.
Therefore, it is AFD’s expectation that all these items will have been pre-tested and
will be without deficiency on the day of your sequence test.
Items that fall outside the inspection areas listed in this document will therefore be
categorized as “maintenance” items and documented in a separate report.
There will be a fee assessed for a sequence test re-inspection. Maintenance
inspection items will not have a re-inspection fee. This re-inspection fee is separate from
and in addition to any fees associated with “after-hours” inspections (inspections
occurring outside of normal business hours).
The email sent to you accompanying your inspection reports will indicate the time period
allowed for correction of any violations before a re-inspection is due. Follow up with Lt Crum to
schedule your appointment and pay any associated fees.
It is the intent of the Fire Marshal’s Office to work in cooperation with you to ensure the safety of
your building’s occupants. If you need assistance or have questions about this program, please
contact Lt Rob Crum via email (Robert.crum@austintexas.gov) or phone (512-974-0175).
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FCR Floorplan Example
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AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT APPROVED BUILDING SMOKE-CONTROL SPECIAL
INSPECTION AGENCIES
Austin Air Balancing Corporation-
1106 West 6th Street
Suite 206
Austin, Texas 78703
512-477-7247
contact: Sutton Page or Charles Page
www.austinairbalancing.com
Company has full test and balance
capability.
Air Technologies, Inc.-
P.O. Box 129
Manchaca, TX 78628
512-280-3398
Contact: Chad Mathews, Estimator
Chad@airtechtx.com
www.Airtechnologiestexas.com
Engineered Air Balance Company-
4400 Piedras Drive South, Suite 150
San Antonio, Texas 78228
210-736-9494
Contact: Gary L. Miller, P.E.
gary@eabcoinc.com
Company has full test and balance
capability.
Graco Mechanical-
5910 Schumacher
Houston, Texas 77057
713-978-7000
Contact: Jimmy Graves
jimmy@gravesmechanical.com
Company has full test and balance
capability.
1
MechTech Inc. Services-
104 Industrial Drive
Forney, Texas 75126
1-800-328-3588
972-552-9399
Contact: Michael D. Locke
Mike.Locke@mechtechinc.com
Company has full test and balance
capability.
PHI Service Agency, Inc.-
2120 W. Braker Lane, Suite G
Austin, Texas 78758
Contact: Bill Kruckenberg
Austin Branch Manager
bilk@phiservices.com
Company has full test and balance
capability.
*Rolf Jensen & Associates, Inc.-
13831 Northwest Freeway
Suite 330
Houston, Texas 77040
713-462-1840 (office)
713-462-0812 (fax)
Contact: Robert S. Hicks
rhicks@rjagroup.com
*Services are limited to review of smoke control system designs, testing coordination,
and inspections. Company has no test and balance capability at this time. A test and
balance firm with the required testing equipment must be hired directly by the building
owner to assist this special inspection agency. The test and balance firm must submit
an application directly to the Austin Fire Department in order to be considered for work
on a specific project.
TAB Technologies
3901 S. Lamar, S-430
Austin, Texas 78704
512-486-3740 (office)
512-486-3604 (fax)
512-878-6388 (mobile)
Contact: Bill Ludwig
bludwig@tab-tech.com
Company has full test and balance
capability
2
Testing Specialties, Inc.
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12001 Network Blvd., #124
San Antonio, Texas 78249-3355
210-492-8885 (office)
210-492-8887 (fax)
Contact: Wes Harvey, P.E.
wesh@testingspecialties.com
www.testingspecialties.com
Company has full test and balance
capability.
Last revision on 6.6.2014
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