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4.18 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Fire Detection and Suppression Systems

4.18 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Fire Detection and Suppression Systems

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide general requirements for inspecting, testing, and maintaining fire protection systems such as fire detection and suppression systems. Fire protection systems provided for facilities and equipment should be inspected, tested, and maintained regularly to ensure proper operation in case of fire. The following guidelines provide information necessary to comply with property insurance requirements and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and International Fire Code (IFC) regulations. Managers and supervisors are responsible to review and make reasonable efforts to ensure that they are in compliance with these guidelines.

4.18.1 Definitions

Automatic Detection EquipmentHeat and smoke detectors that (1) automatically sense heat, flames, and products of combustion, flammable gases, or other conditions likely to produce a fire or explosion and that (2) activate fire alarm and fire suppression equipment.

ImpairmentA shutdown of a fire detection and suppression system or portion of it.

InspectionA visual examination of a fire detection and suppression system or portion of it to verify that it is in operating condition and is free from damage.

MaintenanceActions that repair the fire suppression system or that keep it operable.

TestingAction taken to verify that equipment is functioning as intended. The frequency of testing should be according to the following guidelines.

4.18.2 Guidelines

Use the following guidelines for inspecting, testing, and maintaining fire detection and suppression systems. The suggested inspection and maintenance frequency is considered a minimum standard. The recommendations of property insurance companies are usually more stringent.

Responsibility

Responsibility for maintaining the fire protection, detection, and suppression systems should be specifically assigned to in-house staff or contracted out to a company that does maintenance on fire protection systems. Keep proper records to document maintenance and testing of these important systems.

Design and Installation

All fire detection and suppression systems should be designed and installed according to the appropriate NFPA standard. Careful consideration should be given to commercial property insurance standards specifically designed to prevent property loss and damage.

Inspection

  • All fire system valves should be inspected weekly (monthly is acceptable if valves are locked and a good fire system impairment program is implemented, such as FM Global’s Red Tag system) to make sure they are:

    • In the normal open or closed position.

    • Properly sealed, locked, or supervised.

    • Accessible.

    • Provided with appropriate wrenches.

    • Free from external leaks.

    • Provided with appropriate identification.

  • Fire department connections should be inspected monthly. The inspection should verify the following:

    • The fire department connections are visible and accessible.

    • Plugs or caps are in place and undamaged.

    • Identification signs are in place.

    • The check valve is not leaking.

    • The connections are free from external leaks.

    • The connections have appropriate identification.

Testing Schedule

The following inspection and testing schedules are recommended for compliance with the IFC and with NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems (2017). This schedule for inspection, testing, and maintenance is considered a minimum standard. Church properties that are insured commercially may receive recommendations from the insurer to conduct testing on a more frequent basis.

Item

Activity

Frequency

Antifreeze solution

Test

Annually

Chemical agent systems

Test

Semiannually (tripping not required)

Control valves (locked in position)

Inspect

Monthly

Control valves

Maintenance

Yearly

Dry-pipe system air pressure

Inspect

Weekly

Dry-pipe system closets

Inspect

Daily during freezing temperatures

Dry-pipe system low points

Maintenance

Drain low points before winter

Dry-pipe system valves

Test

Annually, trip test in spring

Fire department connections

Inspect

Monthly

Fire pump

Test

Weekly

Flush piping

Test

Every 5 years

Heat detectors

Test

Annually

Kitchen hood systems

Test

Semiannually

Main drain

Flow test

Quarterly

Piping and hangers

Inspect

Quarterly

Smoke detectors

Test

Annually

Spare sprinkler heads in box

Inspect

Quarterly

Sprinkler heads

Test

At 50 years and every 10 years thereafter

Water flow alarms

Test

Quarterly

Impairment

  • Use the following guidelines when a fire system is shut down for maintenance or repair. This applies to the following types of impairments:

    • Any sprinkler system valve closure (fixed protection systems included)

    • Any fire hydrant valve closures

    • Any impairment to fire pumps

    • Any impairment to broken underground fire mains

  • Before impairment, do the following:

    • Where possible, perform all needed hazardous or hot work before the fire system has been impaired.

    • Have everything ready before impairing fire protection equipment, including equipment, parts, and personnel.

    • Arrange temporary protection, such as extra fire extinguishers, charged hose lines, and so on.

    • Notify the emergency response team and perhaps the public fire department of the planned impairment so that they can be prepared to handle an emergency if one should arise.

    • If the fire protection equipment can be restored during the impairment, have someone available and prepared to restore the system promptly in the event of a fire.

    • Use an impairment tag and permit system to tag the impaired system and to authorize the impairment of the fire protection equipment. You can get a tag/permit system from the Risk Management Division or directly from the commercial property insurer.

    • Notify the Risk Management Division or the commercial insurance impairment office of the pending fire system impairment.

  • During impairment, do the following:

    • Stop all work that may cause a fire, for example, hot work such as welding, cutting, and grinding.

    • Have personnel or security patrol the area where the fire protection equipment is out of service.

  • After impairment, do the following:

    • Make certain the fire protection equipment is restored to operating service.

    • If sprinkler protection was impaired, conduct a two-inch (5 cm) drain test at the sprinkler riser.

    • Lock sprinkler control valve in the wide-open position.

    • Reset alarm system, and notify the alarm-monitoring agency.

    • Notify the emergency response team and the public fire department that the system has been restored to operating service.

    • Notify the Risk Management Division or the commercial insurance impairment office when the system has been restored to operating service.

Insurance Loss-Prevention Inspections

If the facility is insured commercially, the insurance company will conduct the inspection.