Fire sprinkler systems are essential for protecting life and property. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), when fires break out in buildings with functioning sprinkler systems, the civilian death rate drops 87 percent, and the civilian injury rate is 27 percent lower compared to buildings without this fire protection feature. Property damage is also reduced by about 60 percent in sprinklered buildings.
Of course, to benefit from fire sprinklers, the system must be fully operational. Tragic deaths and injuries occur every year when sprinklers fail to operate or operate ineffectively, which happens in 12 percent of all cases. Some of the most common reasons for sprinkler failure and ineffectiveness include shut-off systems, damaged components, lack of maintenance, and having an inappropriate system installed for the type of fire that occurred. All of these problems can be remedied with routine inspections.
Are you certain your sprinklers are in proper working order? If you can’t remember the last time you inspected system components, do so today. Otherwise, you might not find out your sprinkler system is broken until it’s too late.
Here is the sprinkler inspection checklist you should follow with the help of a fire protection company.
Monthly Fire Sprinkler Inspections
Make it your priority to inspect the sprinkler system’s valves and gauges once a month. If you spot a problem during this visual inspection, call a fire protection company right away to get help rectifying the issue.
Make sure the fire sprinkler valves are:
- Easily accessible
- Positioned in their fully opened or closed state
- Free of leaks
- In good condition with no visible damage
- Labeled properly
Make sure the gauges in your wet sprinkler system are:
- In good condition with no visible damage
- Maintaining proper water pressure
Check the gauges in your dry sprinkler system to ensure:
- The gauge on the dry pipe valve indicates normal water pressure
- The gauge on the quick-opening device shows the same pressure as the gauge on the dry pipe valve
Quarterly Fire Sprinkler Inspections
Four times per year, perform all the items on the monthly fire sprinkler inspection checklist outlined above, plus the following tasks:
- Visually inspect the supervisory alarm and water flow alarm for physical damage.
- Dry test the system to check for valve seizures, broken seams and leakage, sensor malfunctions, and other valve issues.
- For hydraulic sprinkler systems, inspect the nameplate to ensure it’s secure and clearly visible.
- Check that all fire department connections are unobstructed and free of physical damage.
- Check for leaks around all fire department valves and gaskets.
- Inspect the pressure relief and pressure reducing valves to ensure they are in an open position, free of leaks, and maintaining downstream pressure according to the system’s design.
Annual Fire Sprinkler Inspections
Comprehensive fire sprinkler inspections and tagging should take place at least once a year. You must hire a certified professional for the inspection to be considered valid for code compliance purposes. Annual maintenance should include everything from the monthly and quarterly inspection checklists outlined above, plus the following tasks:
- Visually inspect all sprinkler heads, pipes, and fittings for signs of wear or physical damage.
- Ensure there are spare sprinkler heads and tools onsite for conducting emergency sprinkler head replacement if one is ever damaged.
- For dry pipe systems, inspect the interior valves while resetting the device.
- For dry pipe, deluge, and pre-action systems, conduct a partial-flow trip test to ensure the system activates appropriately in response to a fire emergency. (Conduct a full-flow trip test every three years.)
- Perform a water flow test to monitor any changes to the water supply from the pressure reducing valve or backflow preventer.
- Test the fire pump to ensure normal operation.
- Test the sprinkler water flow switches to ensure they transmit a signal to the fire alarm control panel and set off the building occupant notification system in the process.
Schedule Fire Sprinkler Inspections in the Mid-South
The fire protection specialists at State Systems Inc. can meet all your fire sprinkler inspection needs. We stick to NFPA guidelines to ensure optimal code compliance and safety for your business in Tennessee, Arkansas, or Mississippi. In addition to fire sprinkler inspections, we also provide installation, maintenance, and repair services. Count on us to keep your sprinklers functioning flawlessly for your peace of mind in case a fire ever breaks out.
To learn more about our services, or to schedule a fire sprinkler inspection in the Mid-South, please contact us online or call us at 901-531-6550 today.
