Sprinkler systems are exceptionally reliable. According to the latest National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research report, “U.S. Experience with Sprinklers,” the chance of dying in a fire is reduced by 90% when fire sprinklers are installed in a building (https://bit.ly/48ssBWM). The report also shows that property damage in dollars is reduced by up to two-thirds, depending on occupancy type, when sprinklers are present.

This is only true, of course, if the system has been designed, installed and maintained properly. In 79% of incidents in which sprinklers failed to operate, the system had been accidentally shut off, damaged or not maintained. This is why the inspection, testing and maintenance (ITM) of a fire sprinkler system is so crucial. 

NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, provides requirements for sprinkler system ITM, as well as inspection and testing frequencies for sprinkler systems and fire pumps (https://bit.ly/3UuZ099). 

NFPA 25

The purpose of NFPA 25 is to provide requirements ensuring a reasonable degree of protection for life and property from fire through minimum ITM requirements for water-based fire protection systems. The systems covered in NFPA 25 include:

Sprinkler systems;

Standpipe systems;

Private fire service mains;

Fire pumps;

Water storage tanks;

Fixed-water spray systems;

Foam systems;

Water mist systems.

Who Can Perform ITM?

Ultimately, the property owner or designated representative is responsible for ensuring that the proper inspection, testing, maintenance and impairment management of water-based fire protection systems is completed by a qualified person. To be qualified, the person needs to be competent and capable and must meet the requirements and training acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), such as the fire department or insurer. 

The intent of NFPA 25 is that the owner or the owner’s designated representative(s) perform many of the required inspections. For example, the owner or the owner’s representative could be trained to a level acceptable to the AHJ and, therefore, be qualified to perform the monthly inspection to verify that the system control valve(s) are open. A facility maintenance person could be trained to inspect pressure gauges, exterior conditions of water storage tanks, accessibility of fire hydrants, and so forth. 

To learn more about the owners’ responsibilities, check out the blog, “Responsibilities of the Building Owner for Fire Sprinkler System Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance,” by Jon Hart, a technical lead at NFPA (https://bit.ly/3Asvt9f).

You can also find enhanced content from NFPA 25 in NFPA LiNK, which provides additional information on licensing for ITM (https://bit.ly/4fk7Hez). 

As noted previously, NFPA 25 provides the minimum inspection, testing, and maintenance methods for all water-based fire protection systems. Following are some of the major ITM items for sprinkler systems and fire pumps, two of the most common water-based systems/components in a building. However, to fully understand everything required for these and other systems, it’s best to refer directly to NFPA 25.

Sprinkler Systems

Many different types of sprinkler systems and components exist within a water-based fire protection system that must be inspected and tested. Figure 1 provides a summary of the major components and their corresponding frequencies. More information about the frequency of ITM is outlined in “Sprinkler System Inspections Testing and Maintenance Frequencies Explained,” which is also authored by Hart (https://bit.ly/48lHhH7).

Fire Pumps

Fire pumps are used to increase the pressure from a water supply and distribute water to many different water-based systems, such as sprinkler and standpipe systems. Fire pumps can be electric or diesel-driven. Figure 2 provides a list of some major ITM that must be completed on fire pumps, organized by frequency. 

Repair

It is important to call a qualified person to repair the system if a deficiency or impairment (issue with the system or component) is found during the required inspection and testing (https://bit.ly/4f2pF5o). In some cases, it may be as simple as restoring a valve to the correct position. In others, additional investigations may be required or components replaced. 

Many features must be inspected, tested and maintained on a sprinkler system and fire pump. This only increases as different systems are added, such as a standpipe system and a water storage tank. As noted previously, all the requirements are outlined in NFPA 25. 

The following are additional resources regarding water-based ITM:

Water-Based Inspection Testing and Maintenance Certification (https://bit.ly/3NKvf0c);

Water-Based Inspection Testing and Maintenance Learning Path (https://bit.ly/3AswsGt);

Certified Sprinkler ITM Specialists for Facility Managers (https://bit.ly/48rUI88).

Shawn Mahoney, PE, is an engineer in the Technical Services Division at the National Fire Protection Association. Before joining NFPA, he held various positions in fire protection engineering, including fire protection consulting and fire protection product design. Mahoney serves as a technical resource to support an assortment of projects across NFPA, including building and life safety, fire protection systems, emergency response, electrical, and industrial and chemical engineering.

This article was originally published as a blog on www.NFPA.org. Read more NFPA blogs at https://bit.ly/3Ukaonk; it has been lightly edited for style.