PHF Fire has established a Pre-Staging Room at the Multiplex 1 Exchange Square project to facilitate the demonstration, testing, and verification of the fire alarm system’s configuration. This setup allows key stakeholders to review and validate the fire alarm system’s cause and effects programming in a central, controlled environment.

Purpose of the Pre-Staging Room

The Pre-Staging Room serves the following key functions:

• Demonstrates the fire alarm system’s operation and logic.
• Allows for easy testing and reprogramming as site requirements evolve.
• Provides a single location to view and test a working representation of the full system.
• Reduces workload during the Integrated Systems Test (IST) by identifying and resolving issues in advance.

System Configuration

• All fire alarm panels required for the project are installed and networked in the room.
• Loops are connected to simulate representative floor levels, including:
  • Manual Call Points
  • Smoke Detectors
  • Smoke Detectors with Visual Alarm Devices (VADs)
• Additional detectors are installed for Smoke Zones and Vertical Shafts.

Input Interfaces Installed

• Sprinkler Flow Switches
• Retail Unit Fire Panels
• Air Sampling Systems

Output Interfaces Simulated

The system includes interface modules to simulate all required fire alarm outputs for the project:

• Access Control
• Speed Lanes
• Lift Control (Primary & Secondary)
• Escalators
• Smoke Extraction Systems
• Smoke & Heat Exhaust Ventilation Systems (SHEVS)
• Fire Curtains
• Roller Shutters
• BMS / Plant Integration
• Lighting Control
• PV Array Shutoff
• AV & Music Shutoff

Benefits

• Offers a complete view of the cause and effect programming.
• Enables live demonstration and verification for the main contractor, consultants, and end users.
• Helps build confidence in the system’s performance and accuracy.
• Saves time and reduces resource demands during the final IST phase.

Conclusion

The Pre-Staging Room is a proactive solution that ensures system readiness, promotes collaborative review, and supports a smoother commissioning process for the Multiplex 1 Exchange Square project.

Written by Gary Copping, Project Manager.