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Fire Sprinklers The Woodlands

The Woodlands Fire Sprinklers
The Woodlands Fire Sprinklers

Class A, B, C and D Fires
Class A, B, C and D Fires

NFPA 25 Fire Sprinkler Tests and Inspections

The Woodlands NFPA 25 Fire Sprinkler System Inspections, Tests and Maintenance

Residential, commercial and industrial fire protection systems may also be required by state, city and municipal health, building and fire codes to have all installed fire protection systems tested and inspected by local fire departments, state licensed fire protection companies, certified fire protection technicians and/or fire safety engineers. Keeping your fire alarm system operating and ready in case of an emergency.

Check with your local fire marshall, fire departments or city municipalities health, building and fire codes for details.

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NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection SystemsNFPA Standards and Codes

Table 2-1 Summary of Sprinkler System Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

Item Activity Frequency Reference
Gauges (dry, preaction deluge systems) Inspection Quarterly 2-2.4.2
Control valves Inspection Weekly/monthly/semiannual Table 9-1
Alarm devices Inspection Annual 2-2.6
Gauges (wet pipe systems) Inspection Annual 2-2.4.1
Hydraulic nameplate Inspection Annual 2-2.7
Buildings Inspection Annually (prior to freezing weather) 2-2.5
Hanger/seismic bracing Inspection Annually 2-2.3
Pipe and fittings Inspection Annually 2-2.2
Sprinklers Inspection Annually 2-2.1.1
Spare sprinklers Inspection Annually 2-2.1.3
Fire department connections Inspection   Table 9-1
Valves (all types) Inspection   Table 9-1
Alarm devices Test Semiannual 2-3.3
Main drain Test Annually Table 9-1
Antifreeze solution Test Annually 2-3.4
Gauges Test 5 years 2-3.2
Sprinklers – extra-high temp. Test 5 years 2-3.1.1 Exception No. 3
Sprinklers – fast response Test At 20 years and every 10 years thereafter 2-3.1.1 Exception No. 2
Sprinklers Test At 50 years and every 10 years thereafter 2-3.1.1
Valves (all types) Maintenance Annually or as needed Table 9-1
Obstruction investigation Maintenance 5 years or as needed Chapter 10

 

Table 3-1 Summary of Standpipe and Hose System Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

Components Activity Frequency Reference
Control valves Inspection Weekly/monthly, semiannual Table 9-1
Pressure regulating devices Inspection Annual Table 9-1
Piping Inspection Annual 3-2.1
Hose connections Inspection Annual Table 9-1
Cabinet Inspection Annually NFPA 1962
Hose Inspection Annually NFPA 1962
Hose storage device Inspection Annually NFPA 1962
Alarm device Test Semi-Annual Table 9-1
Hose nozzle Test Annually NFPA 1962
Hose storage device Test Annually NFPA 1962
Hose Test 5 years/3 years NFPA 1962
Pressure control valve Test 5 years Table 9-1
Pressure reducing valve Test 5 years Table 9-1
Hydrostatic test Test 5 years 3-3.2
Flow test Test 5 years 3-3.1
Main drain test Test Annually Table 9-1
Hose connections Maintenance Annually
Valves (all types) Maintenance Annually/as needed Table 9-1

 

Table 4-2.1 Summary of Private Fire Service Main Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

Item Activity Frequency Reference
Hose houses Inspection Quarterly 4-2.2.7
Hydrants (dry barrel and wall) Inspection Annually and after each operation 4-2.2.4
Monitor nozzles Inspection Semiannually 4-2.2.6
Hydrants (wet barrel) Inspection Annually and after each operation 4-2.2.5
Mainline strainers Inspection Annually and after each significant flow 4-2.2.3
Piping (exposed) Inspection Annually 4-2.2.1
Piping (underground) Inspection See 4-2.2.2 4-2.2.2
Monitor nozzles Test Flow annually (range and operation) 4-3.3
Hydrants Test Each Flow / Annually 4-3.2
Piping (exposed and underground) Flow test 5 years 4-3.2
Mainline strainers Maintenance Annually and after each operation 4-4.2
Hose houses Maintenance Annually 4-4.5
Hydrants Maintenance Annually 4-4.3
Monitor nozzles Maintenance Annually 4-4.4

 

Table 5-1.1 Summary of Fire Pump Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

Item Activity Frequency Reference
Pump house, heating ventilating louvers Inspection Monthly 5-2.2.1
Fire pump system Inspection Monthly 5-2.2.1
Pump operation      
No-flow condition Test Monthly 5-3.2.1, 5-3.2.2
Flow condition Test Annually 5-3.3.1
Hydraulic Maintenance Annually 5-5.1
Mechanical transmission Maintenance Annually 5-5.1
Electrical system Maintenance Varies 5-5.1
Controller, various components Maintenance Varies 5-5.1
Motor Maintenance Annually 5-5.1
Diesel engine system, various components Maintenance Varies 5-5.1

 

Table 6-1.1 Summary of Water Storage Tank Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

Item Activity Frequency Reference
Condition of water in tank Inspection Monthly/quarterly* 6-2.1
Water temperature Inspection Daily/weekly* 6-2.9
Heating system Inspection Daily/weekly* 6-2.8
Control valves Inspection Weekly / Monthly /Semi Annual Table 9-1
Water – level Inspection Monthly/quarterly 6-2.1
Air pressure Inspection Monthly/quarterly 6-2.7
Tank – exterior Inspection Quarterly 6-2.2
Support structure Inspection Quarterly 6-2.2
Catwalks and ladders Inspection Quarterly 6-2.2
Surrounding area Inspection Quarterly 6-2.3
Hoops and grillage Inspection Annually 6-2.5
Painted/coated surfaces Inspection Annually 6-2.6
Expansion joints Inspection Annually 6-2.10
Interior Inspection 5 years / 3 years 6-2.4
Check valves Inspection 5 years Table 9-1
Temperature alarms Test Monthly* 6-3.3
High-temperature limit switches Test Monthly* 6-3.4
Water level alarms Test Semi Annually 6-3.5
Level indicators Test 5 years 6-3.1
Pressure gauges Test 5 years 6-3.6
Water level Maintenance  —  6-4.1
Thermostats Maintenance —  6-4.7
Drain sediment Maintenance Semiannually 6-4.3
Cathodic protection Maintenance Annually 6-4.5
Drain valves cycled Maintenance Annually 6-4.8
Vent screens Maintenance Annually 6-4.9
Control valves Maintenance Annually Table 9-1
Repainting – steel Maintenance  —  6-4.16
Embankment-supported coated-fabric (ESCF) Maintenance  —  6-4.17
Check valves Maintenance  —  9-4.2.2

New Automatic Fire Sprinkler Installations in The Woodlands

In order to meet both federal certification requirements and state licensure requirements, automatic fire sprinkler systems are required to be installed in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. NFPA 101(00), Sec. 2.1.1 references the 1999 edition of NFPA 13. Healthcare facilities are required to comply with the most restrictive requirements of the two standards. For purposes of this guide, however, all code references will be based on the 1999 edition of NFPA 13. All newly installed fire sprinkler systems are required to meet specific acceptance requirements, such as flushing of fire service mains and testing of both underground and above ground piping [see NFPA13(99), Chapter 10]. These services must be provided by state licensed fire protection contractors, certified fire protection technicians and/or fire safety engineers.

The Woodlands Monthly Automatic Fire Sprinkler Maintenance, Tests and Inspections

The following monthly inspections can be performed by facility staff:

The Woodlands Quarterly Automatic Fire Sprinkler Maintenance, Tests and Inspections

Caution: Opening the inspector’s test connection can cause the system to trip accidentally,
allowing the pipes to fill with water and creating a potential for a serious freeze problem.

The Woodlands Annual Automatic Fire Sprinkler Maintenance, Tests and Inspections

In addition to the monthly and quarterly inspections and tests, NFPA 25 has very detailed and specific inspection, testing and maintenance services that need to be performed on an annual basis. Because of their complexity, and to comply with Minnesota state law, these services must be performed by state licensed fire protection contractors, certified fire protection technicians and/or fire safety engineers. and would include such things as:

The Woodlands Long Term Automatic Fire Sprinkler Maintenance, Tests and Inspections

These requirements, which emphasize the importance of knowing the history of your facility’s fire sprinkler system, would include:

The Woodlands Fire Pumps Maintenance, Tests and Inspections

Fire pumps, where present, are also subject to very specific inspection, testing and maintenance requirements to help ensure that they will function properly when needed. Some of the basics include:

Documentation Requirements
Just as important as conducting required inspections, testing and maintenance is documenting the fact that they occurred. Both NFPA 13 and NFPA 25 require that these services be properly recorded.


The Woodlands Fire Sprinkler Company, Licensed Installers and Sprinkler Technicians

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