Clark County MQAA
Las Vegas’s Clark County Building Dept. requires smoke control inspection and testing be completed by an MQAA
MQAA-certified TERPconsulting conducts special inspections/testing on mechanical smoke-control systems mandated under Clark County Building Administrative Code (CCBAC)
What is smoke control MQAA (mechanical quality assurance agency) inspection and testing?
Smoke control MQAA ensures that systems, which include mechanical equipment such as fans, dampers, and controls, are installed correctly and function as designed. MQAA inspection and testing verifies compliance with building codes, standards, and regulations to ensure the safety and effectiveness of smoke control measures. Smoke control systems are crucial for maintaining safety during fires by managing the movement of smoke to allow for safe evacuation and firefighting operations.
Although applicable to the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) as amended, these smoke control testing and inspection services are unique to Clark County, Nevada, a jurisdiction in Las Vegas. As part of the Las Vegas Building Department’s quality assurance and quality control, smoke control inspection and testing are required to confirm that any tenant construction that was performed did not impact the existing smoke removal system.
Which AHJ requires MQAA inspection and testing?
Under the Clark County Building Administrative Code (CCBAC), the Clark County Building Department in Clark County, Nevada, requires that any tenant improvement to an existing space that impacts smoke control systems must have smoke control inspection and testing services completed by a Mechanical Quality Assurance Agency (MQAA) such as TERPconsulting, a fire protection engineering and code consulting firm headquartered in Las Vegas, before occupancy.
Who is certified to perform MQAA inspections and testing?
MQAA inspection and testing requires that a third-party agency conducts inspections and tests related to building smoke control systems. TERPconsulting is a certified Mechanical Quality Assurance Agency, defined as an agency approved by the Clark County Building Department staff to conduct special inspections and/or testing on mechanical smoke-control systems as required under the Clark County Building Administrative Code (CCBAC).
What services encompass smoke control MQAA (mechanical quality assurance agency) inspections and testing?
As an approved MQAA in Clark County, TERPconsulting starts the smoke control inspection and testing process by reviewing the approved project fire protection report (FPR) that describes the fire protection method for the entire construction project, establishing the building’s smoke-control design, and outlining smoke-control criteria as well as reviewing any existing system operation resulting from any remodel, renovation, or additions.
Inspections and testing conducted by a smoke control MQAA agency like TERPconsulting typically include verifying equipment installation, functionality, and performance through various tests and measurements. These tests may include airflow measurements, damper operation tests, smoke exhaust testing, and coordination with other fire protection systems.
What type of construction projects require smoke control MQAA services?
Any tenant improvement to an existing space that impacts smoke control systems must have smoke control inspection and testing services completed by a Mechanical Quality Assurance Agency (MQAA). During MQAA inspections and testing, TERPconsulting’s Las Vegas fire protection engineers prepare scenarios for all equipment needing testing, conduct inspections, and prepare a final MQAA testing report documenting all testing and inspections conducted on the project. An approved MQAA Final Report is required before a building receives a temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) or certificate of occupancy (CO).
In addition to smoke control inspection and testing services, TERPconsulting is approved by Clark County as a Prime Agency for inspection of fire penetration and joint, and garage ventilation in the QC/QA arena.
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