Legal obligations
A fire protection system must be well maintained and verified annually to remain 100% operational and save lives.
The National Fire Code (NFC) and NBC stipulate :
- Proceed with required testing according to the referred code and standard provisions.
- Maintain a history of assessment reports (Extinguisher NFPA 10- A. 7.2.4 Extinction record keeping).
Insurance providers recommend the implementation of a fire protection equipment maintenance program that follows the NFPA’s provisions.
| item/component | Activity | Frequency | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure gauges (wet pipe systems) |
Inspection |
Monthly | 5.2.4.1 |
| Pressure gauges (air, preaction, deluge systems) | Weekly / Monthly |
5.2.4.2, 5.2.4.3, 5.2.4.4 |
|
| Control valves | Table 13.1 | ||
| Waterflow alarm devices | Quarterly | 5.2.5 | |
| Hydraulic nameplate | 5.2.6 | ||
| Buildings | Annually (prior to freezing weather) | 4.1.1.1 | |
| Hanger/seismic bracing |
Annually |
5.2.3 | |
| Pipe and fittings | 5.2.2 | ||
| Sprinklers | 5.2.1 | ||
| Spare sprinklers | 5.2.1.4 | ||
| Fire department connections | Quarterly | Table 13.1 | |
| Valves (all types) | Variable | Table 13.1 | |
| Waterflow alarm devices/mechanical devices |
Test |
Quarterly | 5.3.3.1 |
| Main drain valves | Semi-Annually | Table 13.1 | |
| Antifreeze solution | Annually (fall) | 5.3.4 | |
| Gauges | Every five years | 5.3.2 | |
| Sprinklers – Extra-high temperature | 5.3.1.1.1.4 | ||
| Sprinklers – Fast response | At 20 years and every 10 years thereafter | 5.3.1.1.1.3 | |
| Sprinklers – Dry | At 10 years and every 10 years thereafter | 5.3.1.1.1.6 | |
| Other sprinklers | At 50 years and every 10 years thereafter | 5.3.1.1.1 | |
| Valves (all types) | Maintenance | Annually | Table 13.1 |
| Obstructions | 14.3 |