Just because your building has the proper safety equipment doesn’t mean your work is done. Believe it or not, you have to actively maintain each of the devices throughout the year. After all, you have to change the oil in your car – your building’s  Show
How often you service or inspect your fire protection services depends on the device. Some require weekly, monthly, semi-annual, or annual inspections. Hot tip- all fire and life safety systems require at least an annual inspection. Let’s discuss how often different fire protection systems need servicing. Fire Protection Maintenance and Inspection SchedulesFire protection maintenance schedules are set in place to make sure your fire protection is up to par in the event of a fire. A fully functioning system reduces the risk of damage or injury. Typically, a fire marshall or other authority holding jurisdiction (AHJ) will review your fire protection system to review if the system is up to code. Local regulations determine how the frequency of service for your different systems. There are, however, overarching trends as to when each needs a look. Fire Sprinkler SystemsThe best practice for a fire sprinkler system is to perform quarterly and annual sprinkler inspections. Particularly in colder areas, regular maintenance and inspections are essential. For example, a wet pipe sprinkler system needs to be kept at above freezing temperature during the colder months in order to prevent costly damage to the system. Fire Suppression SystemsFire suppression systems include extinguishing fires through gaseous chemical or foam agents instead of water. Examples of fire suppression systems include:
They must be inspected on a semi-annual basis according to NFPA guidelines. Fire Alarm & DetectionFire alarms or smoke alarms should be inspected by a professional on an annual basis- at a minimum. Inspect these systems for leaks, cracks, warning lights or obstructions weekly. Local rules and regulations determine the service timeline. For example, school buildings typically require periodic testing of fire alarm systems and regular fire drills. Fire ExtinguishersA fire extinguisher, also known as the first line of defense is a piece of fire safety equipment you want operable at any given moment. Inspections must take place once a month. Devices prone to rust, impact, or tampering require the most frequent inspections. Their external maintenance examination occurs annually during the hydrostatic test, or when specified. Internal fire extinguisher tests occur every 1 – 6 years depending on the extinguisher. A Final WordKeeping a well-maintained fire protection system can be the difference between minor and major structural damage. It can also save lives. Proactively maintain your system to have the peace of mind that if the time comes, your building is fully prepared. Most building owners find that waiting on the fire inspection report is often the most painstaking part of the process. Why do these reports take so long? Take a look at one of our recent articles explaining why the fire inspection report takes so long.
Fire sprinkler systems are often the first line of defense in the event of a fire—but only if they are working properly. To ensure that fire sprinkler systems are functional and up to code, it’s crucial that you follow regular testing, inspection, and maintenance schedule. What should that schedule be? Here’s how often fire sprinkler systems should be tested, inspected, and maintained. How often should you have your fire sprinkler system tested?There isn’t just one simple answer like “once per year” for when you need to test your fire sprinkler system. There are many different components to a fire sprinkler system, each with its own testing schedule. According to the Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, NFPA 25, physical testing must be done:
Per NFPA, the inspection schedule for fire sprinkler systems is as follows:
If you keep up on the testing and inspection schedule, maintenance is easy. Any time a component fails inspection or testing, it’s time to repair or replace it. Additionally, if components are showing signs of rust, corrosion, or wear, you can note that during your testing and inspection process and replace them. A reputable testing and inspection company will know NFPA 25 and be able to perform all necessary maintenance on the required schedule to ensure compliance. Time to have your fire sprinkler system tested? The experts at Vanguard Fire and Security would love to help. A full-service fire protection agency, we test, inspect, and service a variety of fire sprinkler and fire protection systems, and we’d be happy to help make sure yours is working and is code compliant. Our experts are waiting to help!
It is highly likely that your building or facility has a sprinkler system in place as part of your fire protection equipment. These automatic systems often act as the first line of defense if the worst happens, and a fire does indeed break out. With sprinklers forming such a vital part of your fire safety plan, it’s essential to get them regularly inspected and tested to make sure they are performing optimally. If you are a business owner or facilities manager, you may be wondering how often you should get your sprinkler systems inspected and tested. Here is a concise summary of the fire sprinkler inspection requirements: How Often Should Fire Sprinklers Be Inspected?Sprinkler systems are made up of a multitude of different parts, which encompasses all manner of switches, gauges, and pipes. These need inspecting at various intervals to make sure they are fit for purpose. Below are the recommended inspection intervals of the different elements of a sprinkler system: MonthlyThe gauges are a vital aspect of any sprinkler system, and therefore they need to be inspected in dry, pre-action and deluge systems as much as once a week to make sure they are fit for purpose. The wet pipe gauges can go a month without requiring another inspection. QuarterlyOnce every three months, you’ll need to have more extensive inspections carried out which incorporate water flow alarm devices, valve alarm devices, control valves, signal devices, hydraulic nameplates, and fire department connections. AnnuallyThis is where inspections will move on to looking at the pipework and fittings, hangar/seismic bracing, signage and the sprinklers themselves. Every five yearsIt is recommended to thoroughly inspect all internal pipework relating to your sprinkler system, check for any blockages and service where necessary. How Often Should Fire Sprinkler Systems Be Tested?Tests are similar to inspections; however since inspections are primarily visual checks, testing involves actual physical use of the equipment to test that it works as intended. As a result, testing is carried out at less frequent intervals than inspections are. QuarterlyEvery three months it is advisable to run a physical test on all fire sprinkler mechanical devices. Semi-AnnuallyEvery six months, vane and pressure switch type devices should be tested. AnnuallyEvery year there should be a complete test of your fire sprinkler system. Technicians will physically check every element of your system, from water flow and fire pump tests right through to alarm tests and trip tests of dry pipe, deluge and pre-action valves. Every five yearsAt this point, you should have precautionary tests on any sprinklers exposed to either high temperatures or harsh conditions. Gauges on all types of sprinkler systems should also be tested and/or replaced at this juncture. Every 10 YearsDry sprinkler systems should be tested and/or replaced after ten years. Fast-response sprinklers should be tested after 20 years and at 10-year intervals after that, and standard sprinklers should be tested after 50 years and then at subsequent 10-year intervals. What Else Should You Expect During the Process of Testing and Inspection?Not only should you instruct fire protection professionals to carry out the above checks within the timeframes mentioned, but you should also expect your outside technicians to provide additional support. They should point out to you any conditions that could compromise the performance of any mechanical or electrical components of the system for starters. Also, all good fire testing and inspection companies should also provide a full report of works undertaken by their technicians with explanations of recommendations for corrective actions to be compliant with fire standards. Wrap UpAny type of fire sprinkler system is integral to your fire safety plan. Therefore, you need to make sure that it your system is regularly inspected and tested to make sure it is ready should disaster strike. Make sure to hire a company that provides qualified personnel to undertake these tasks for you, and use their reports to monitor and improve your sprinkler performance continually. |
When should you have your fire sprinkler system inspected?
zusammenhängende Posts
Urheberrechte © © 2024 frojeostern Inc.
