Risk-Based Testing Framework for Fire Alarm Systems: Assessing the Role of Technological Advancements

Stefan Siegfried VEIT

Doctoral thesis

Abstract:

This dissertation deals with the development of the fundamentals and the proposal for a new type of testing framework for FAS based on a risk-based inspection (RBI) and maintenance optimization approach, taking into account the effects of technical innovations and weaknesses in the current methodology. In order to achieve this objective of the paper, the current state of the art is presented. The relevant section of the document contains a description of the current principles of maintenance and testing of FAS and explains the principles of RBI. In addition, the state of research regarding the application of RBI approaches for the testing and maintenance of FAS or comparable safety-related systems and equipment in the real estate sector is presented. For methodical clarification of the research questions, a statistical evaluation of the frequency of occurrence of defects in FAS is carried out. This is determined from test reports of expert inspections. In addition, the results are determined using expert interviews and standardized surveys. The results of the work show that defects attributable to technical faults in the system tend to have a lower priority. For the most part, defects occur due to errors in the planning and construction of the system as well as missing or inadequately implemented maintenance measures. In particular, the work emphasizes the importance of defects in the area of cross-system functions (fire control systems) and at the same time demonstrates the positive influence of third-party inspections during the planning and installation phase on the operational quality of the systems. The added value of the work is a proposal for an RBI framework for FAS, which increases both efficiency and quality compared with current inspections. The results imply far-reaching findings with regard to the influence of defects on the protection goals of FAS and provide information on which inspection contents should be considered and what relevance they have. The results will help to improve the quality of inspections in the field of research and can serve as a basis for the further development of technical regulations. The results show in a theoretical case study that the effort can be reduced by approx. 30 - 40 % by applying the risk-based framework compared to the classic inspection models.

Abstract:

This dissertation deals with the development of the fundamentals and the proposal for a new type of testing framework for FAS based on a risk-based inspection (RBI) and maintenance optimization approach, taking into account the effects of technical innovations and weaknesses in the current methodology. In order to achieve this objective of the paper, the current state of the art is presented. The relevant section of the document contains a description of the current principles of maintenance and testing of FAS and explains the principles of RBI. In addition, the state of research regarding the application of RBI approaches for the testing and maintenance of FAS or comparable safety-related systems and equipment in the real estate sector is presented. For methodical clarification of the research questions, a statistical evaluation of the frequency of occurrence of defects in FAS is carried out. This is determined from test reports of expert inspections. In addition, the results are determined using expert interviews and standardized surveys. The results of the work show that defects attributable to technical faults in the system tend to have a lower priority. For the most part, defects occur due to errors in the planning and construction of the system as well as missing or inadequately implemented maintenance measures. In particular, the work emphasizes the importance of defects in the area of cross-system functions (fire control systems) and at the same time demonstrates the positive influence of third-party inspections during the planning and installation phase on the operational quality of the systems. The added value of the work is a proposal for an RBI framework for FAS, which increases both efficiency and quality compared with current inspections. The results imply far-reaching findings with regard to the influence of defects on the protection goals of FAS and provide information on which inspection contents should be considered and what relevance they have. The results will help to improve the quality of inspections in the field of research and can serve as a basis for the further development of technical regulations. The results show in a theoretical case study that the effort can be reduced by approx. 30 - 40 % by applying the risk-based framework compared to the classic inspection models.

Keywords

risk based inspection, fire alarm system, testing, inspection, predictive-maintenance, technical experts, risk, risk-factors

Jazyk práce: English

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 4. 9. 2024

Zverejniť od: 31. 12. 2999

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedúci: Doc. Ing. František Steiner, Ph.D.

University of West Bohemia

Faculty of Electrical Engineering

Doctoral programme / odbor:
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology / Electrical Engineering and Information Technology