CHAPTER 8
MAINTENANCE
8-1 INTRODUCTION. This chapter was developed on the basis of
recommendations from MNS manufacturers, as well as experience with similar
computer-based systems. Maintenance requirements established for each MNS must
consider the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations and the applicable DOD
maintenance requirements. MNS shall be maintained so that they comply with the
minimum operating parameters recommended by the manufacturer.
8-2 MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIES. DOD components that have assigned
maintenance responsibilities include:
8-2.1 Air Force. Air Force communications squadrons are responsible for
maintaining giant voice systems in accordance with AFI 21-116 on Air Force
installations. Civil engineering squadrons are usually responsible for maintaining
individual building MNS on Air Force installations that are designed and installed in
accordance with this UFC.
8-2.2 Marine Corps. Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) Technical Service
Agency is responsible for maintaining the MNS across the Marine Corps.
8-3 QUALIFICATIONS OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL
8-3.1 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Tasks. Only personnel trained and
qualified in maintaining and repairing MNS will perform inspection, testing, and
maintenance tasks. Most types of MNS use technology commonly found in fire alarm
systems, giant voice, or other outdoor voice and siren warning systems, and similar
maintenance skills are needed. If specific manufacturer training is available,
maintenance personnel must satisfactorily complete the training to be considered
qualified. If specific manufacturer training is not available for a MNS, personnel shall be
considered qualified if they have achieved a NICET Level III in fire alarm systems or in
low-voltage electronic communication systems, or have achieved the UL certification
level for fire alarm systems. Tasks must be performed according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. Certain jurisdictions may require varying levels of continuing education to
maintain recognized qualifications. Overseas locations should contact their command
fire protection engineering office for guidance on appropriate qualifications. Military
personnel who have satisfactorily completed the required schools in their career field in
fire detection and alarm system maintenance or communications electronics are
considered qualified.
UFC 4-021-01
9 April 2008
Change 1, January 2010
66
8-3.2 Other Inspections. This UFC lists inspection tasks that must be performed
during regularly scheduled facility inspections. Fire prevention, safety, and maintenance
personnel, as well as other individuals familiar with MNS operations, shall perform these
inspection tasks.
8-3.3 Maintenance Records. Each DOD installation must maintain a permanent
record of completed inspection, testing, and maintenance tasks in accordance with each
agency’s program for record keeping of recurring facility maintenance. Records may be
hard copy or electronic. Where no DOD component-wide programs exist, records
should be developed locally. Records must be maintained for every facility and must
include, as a minimum, each task, the date scheduled, the date completed, and the
name of the person completing the task.
8-4 INDIVIDUAL BUILDING MNS. See UFC 3-600-02, paragraph 2-2.2, “Fire
Detection and Alarm Systems,” for applicable guidance on inspecting, testing, and
maintaining engineered protection features in DOD facilities.
8-5 WIDE AREA MNS. Tables 8-1 and 8-2 provide maintenance information for
the central control unit and communications network for a wide area MNS.
Table 8-1. Central Control Unit Maintenance
Frequency Component Tasks
Weekly
Central control unit,
diagnostic log files
• Review the event log file; verify that the
correct events were logged.
• Review the system diagnostic log file;
correct deficiencies noted in the file.
Central control unit, hard
drive
• Delete unneeded log files.
• Delete unneeded error files.
• Verify that sufficient free disk space is
available.
System – Functional test
Send out an alert to a small set of predesignated
receiving devices and confirm
receipt.
System – Security
If remote control software is loaded onto
the system, verify that it is disabled to
prevent unauthorized system access.
UFC 4-021-01
9 April 2008
Change 1, January 2010
67
Frequency Component Tasks
Monthly
System – Functional test
Send out an alert to a diverse set of predesignated
receiving devices and confirm
receipt. Include at least one of each type
of receiving device.
Central control unit, reset Power down the central control unit
computer and restart it.
Quarterly
System – Software
backups
Make a full system software backup.
Rotate backups based on the accepted
practice at the site.
Central control unit,
computer
• Verify proper operation of the computer.
• Defragment the hard drive.
• Verify unobstructed flow of cooling air.
Clean filters. Remove dust buildup on
cooling fans, cooling fins, and air intake
vents.
Central control unit,
uninterruptible power
supply (UPS)
• Verify that the system will operate in the
absence of line power; discontinue line
power to the system and verify
functionality.
• Test the UPS. See NFPA 70B.
Yearly
System – Software
backups
Test the current software backup system
by installing the system backup.
Central control unit,
operation
• Verify the content of pre-recorded
messages.
• Verify activation of the correct
pre-recorded message based on a
selected event.
• Verify activation of the correct
pre-recorded message based on a
targeted area.
• Verify that the central control unit
security mechanism is functional.
UFC 4-021-01
9 April 2008
Change 1, January 2010
68
Table 8-2. Communications Network Maintenance
Frequency Component Tasks
Weekly Central control console Verify that no diagnostic failures are
indicated.
Monthly
HPSA/Wireless
transceivers
Perform silent activation and/or health
monitoring of all components.
Total system
functionality
• Perform a test system activation for a
particular zone/building/area.
• Verify that field components perform
as expected.
Quarterly Central control unit,
UPS
• Verify that the system will operate in
the absence of line power; discontinue
line power to the system and verify
functionality.
• Test the UPS. See NFPA 70B.
Every 6 months Field components
• Perform a visual inspection of all
components. Verify that enclosure
integrity is not compromised.
• Perform a visual inspection of the
antenna. Verify a solid connection and
no corrosion.
• Perform a visual inspection of the
transceivers. Verify proper operation.
• Generate a conductor integrity monitor
alarm. Verify the alarm status on the
central console.
• Disconnect AC power. Verify the AC
power failure alarm status on the
central console.
• Disconnect AC power. Verify the
battery voltage under load.
Every 6 months Wireless signals Check forward/reflected radio power.
UFC 4-021-01
9 April 2008
Change 1, January 2010
69
GLOSSARY
Acronyms and Abbreviations
1 ABAAG⎯Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines /1/
AC⎯alternating current
ACU⎯Autonomous Control Unit
AFB⎯Air Force base
AFI⎯Air Force instruction
AHJ⎯authority having jurisdiction
ANSI⎯American National Standards Institute
APCO⎯Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials
C⎯Celsius
CAC⎯Common Access Card
CAP⎯common 1 alert /1/ protocol
CD⎯compact disk
CIS⎯Common Intelligibility Scale
CNO⎯Chief of Naval Operations
CON⎯Certificate of Networthiness
CONOPS⎯concept of operations
CONUS⎯continental United States
COTS⎯commercial off-the-shelf
CSC-STD⎯DOD Computer Security Center Standard
CTO⎯Certificate to Operate
dBA⎯sound/noise power, adjusted, in decibels
DCID⎯Director of Central Intelligence Directive
DD⎯Department of Defense (as used on forms)
DIACAP⎯DOD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process
DITSCAP⎯DOD Information Technology Security Certification and Accreditation
Process
DOD⎯Department of Defense
UFC 4-021-01
9 April 2008
Change 1, January 2010
70
EM⎯emergency management
EMWIN⎯Emergency Managers Weather Information Network
EOC⎯Emergency Operations Center
EPROM⎯erasable programmable read-only memory
F⎯Fahrenheit
FACP⎯fire alarm control panel
FCC⎯Federal Communications Commission
FEMA⎯Federal Emergency Management Agency
FM⎯Factory Mutual Research Corporation
FPCON⎯force protection condition
ft⎯feet
GPS⎯Global Positioning System
GUI⎯Graphical User Interface
HAZMAT⎯hazardous materials
HPSA⎯high power speaker array
HQ AFCESA/CEO⎯Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, 1 Operations and
Programs Support Division /1/
HQ DLA-D⎯Defense Logistics Agency Director
HQ DLA-DES-SE⎯Defense Logistics Agency, Support Services
HQ USACE/CECW-CE⎯U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Directorate of Civil Works,
Engineering and Construction
HQMC CODE PS⎯U.S. Marine Corps, Critical Infrastructure Assurance Branch
HVAC⎯heating, ventilation, air conditioning
Hz⎯ hertz
ICC⎯Installation Control Center
IEC⎯International Electrotechnical Commission
INWS⎯Installation Notification and Warning System
IP⎯Internet Protocol
kHZ⎯kilohertz
km/h⎯kilometers per hour
LDAP⎯Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
UFC 4-021-01
9 April 2008
Change 1, January 2010
71
LED⎯light-emitting diode
LOC⎯Local Operating Console
m⎯meter
MCO⎯Marine Corps Order
MEP⎯mobile electrical power
METOC⎯meteorology and oceanography
MIL-STD⎯military standard
MNS⎯mass notification system
MPEG⎯Moving Picture Experts Group
mph⎯miles per hour
NAVFACENGCOM HQ Code CHE⎯Naval Facilities Engineering Command,
Headquarters Chief Engineer’s Office
NCAS⎯Net-Centric Alerting System
NCEES⎯National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveys
NEMA⎯National Electrical Manufacturers Association
NFPA⎯National Fire Protection Association
NGA⎯National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
NICET⎯National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies
NRTL⎯Nationally Recognized Testing Laborato