The 5 year inspection for sprinklers and fire protection systems can be an agita inducing activity for facility managers and fire protection personnel. This anxiety is related to the seeming complexity and involvement of this task, as well as, the cost and quality of the service. What items actually have to be inspected and tested? What level of testing must various components be subject to? How much down time will be required for these inspections to take place? How can we know that everything is getting inspected and tested as it should be?
NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, sets the frequency, requirements, and guidelines for fire sprinkler inspection, testing, and maintenance. Besides the 5 year requirements, this document describes all inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements for all system components including daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, and other, as-needed requirements. Wading through this information to find what will be expected for the "5 year" can be a daunting task. However, we have done this work for you. This post, and associated downloadable checklist, outlines and defines what system components you can expect to be inspected or tested during this process.
Sprinkler Systems
Obstruction and internal piping inspection - the internal sections of the piping are to be inspected for the presence of any organic or inorganic materials
Gauges - these are to be replaced or tested; must be accurate to within 3% of full scale
Sprinkler heads - applies to solder-type heads with a temperature rating of 325 degrees or greater, and sprinkler heads installed in harsh environments (i.e., corrosive atmospheres or corrosive water supplies)
Standpipe Systems
Hydrostatic test - manual and semi-automatic standpipes only are to be tested at 200psi for 2 hours
Flow test - Class I and Class III standpipes, to verify required flows and pressures are available at most remote hose outlet
Water Storage Tanks
Interior inspection of tank - to ensure that the interior is not becoming corroded or deteriorating
Level indicators - to ensure accuracy and that the indicator has free movement
Pressure gauge - are to be tested and calibrated, must be within 3% of scale of gauge
Foam Water Systems
Water supply flow test - this applies to the hydrants and water supply mainlines
Proportioning systems - ball-drip automatic type are to be dissassembled, cleaned, and reassembled
Valves
Alarm valve interior- all alarm valve components, strainers, filters, and restriction orifices are be internally inspected
Check valve interior - to ensure that all components work correctly, are freely moving, and in good condition
Pre-action/deluge valve interior - internal inspection confirms that all strainers, filters, orifices, and diaphragm chambers are in operational condition, and free of damage
Dry pipe valve interior - internal inspection confirms that all strainers, filters, orifices, and diaphragm chambers are in operational condition, and free of damage
Dry pipe valve gauges - these are to be replaced or tested; must be accurate to within 3% of full scale
Pressure-Reducing and Relief Valves
Sprinkler system pressure-reducing valves - full flow test of each valve is required
Hose connection pressure-regulating devices - full flow test of each device is required
Hose rack assembly pressure-regulating devices - full flow test of each device is required
For aircraft hangars, NFPA 409, Standard on Aircraft Hangars, requires the following, additional 5-year inspections. These inspections and test are to be operational with an actual discharge.
Piping
Deluge valves
Hose stations
Foam concentrate pumps
Foam concentrate control valves
Foam proportioning devices
Monitor nozzles
High-expansion foam generators
Floor drain systems and separators
Grounding equipment (functional test only)
