A well-maintained fire sprinkler system is essential for fire safety in any type of building. Given that these systems are designed to suppress fires, minimize damage, and protect lives, they can be one of the most important investments you can ever make. However, to ensure that they can be relied upon when needed, it’s essential that you regularly have the system tested at the correct intervals.
Not only is testing and maintenance important for the overall reliability of the fire sprinkler system, but the frequency that these tests must be conducted is also outlined in legal documents, like the National Fire Code of Canada (NFC), so it’s essential to make sure that your testing is keeping your fire sprinkler system legally compliant.
To help you ensure that your fire sprinkler system is reliable and meets all of the relevant legal requirements, we will discuss everything you need to know about fire sprinkler system testing. We’ll also highlight a handy tool you can use to potentially save your business tens of thousands of dollars in water damage due to fire sprinkler misfires and leaks.
Why Is Fire Sprinkler System Testing Essential?
Regularly testing fire sprinkler systems ensures that all components, including sprinkler heads, valves, pipes, alarms, and more, function correctly and can be relied upon during an emergency.
Without proper testing and routine maintenance checks, there is always a risk that the system will fail when a fire does occur. This isn’t a risk you want to take, especially given the potentially catastrophic damages and loss of life that can occur when a fire sprinkler system fails.
On top of that, regular testing helps identify potential issues you might be having with your sprinkler system, like leaks, corrosion issues, or even full blockages of certain sprinkler heads.
Recommended Testing Frequencies
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the standard for fire sprinkler systems in Canada is a complete test and inspection at least once per year. With that said, certain components within the system require testing shorter intervals.
NFPA 25, the most current document regarding sprinkler systems, suggests monthly visual inspections of control valves, gauges, alarm systems, and individual sprinkler heads. While annual inspections and tests are given at the minimum frequency, NFPA also suggests quarterly inspections of the entire system to ensure reliability.
At five-year intervals, they also require full internal inspections of all pipes for signs of damage and corrosion.
Reducing Water Damage Caused by Sprinkler Systems
While fire sprinkler systems can be literal life savers, accidental activations or excessive water flow after a fire has been extinguished can result in costly water damage. In many cases, it takes a long time to shut off the main water supply, especially when you’re talking about a large commercial building.
This is why it is recommended that a Shutgun Fire Sprinkler Shut Off Tool is kept with every fire extinguisher in the building. This affordable, easy-to-use tool lets you quickly deactivate a running or leaking fire sprinkler head.
Rather than waiting for fire responders to arrive, you gain the ability to shut off fire sprinklers yourself. Whether they were accidentally activated, misfired, began leaking, or ran too long after putting out a fire, you can shut them off quickly, preventing water damage that could cost tens of thousands of dollars in repairs and downtime.
How to Conduct Fire Sprinkler System Testing
While you should always trust professional fire sprinkler inspection providers, here’s a quick overview of what is involved in a fire sprinkler system test:
Visual Inspections and Routine Maintenance
These routine visual inspections should be conducted regularly by trained maintenance personnel or even fire safety professionals. The main priority should be looking for signs of corrosion, wear and tear, or physical damage to sprinkler heads and pipes. Any issues should be noted, and maintenance should be carried out immediately.
Routine fire sprinkler head cleaning can also occur during these routine inspections.
Water Flow and Alarm Testing
Quarterly and annual tests should include testing water pressure to ensure that water will be expelled properly in the event of a fire. It’s also important to test that the alarm systems are functioning correctly.
Valve, Pump, and Pressure Testing
All valves and pipes should be inspected during an annual inspection. For more professional-level testing, a quick test of how well the system functions can be conducted. But this is not mandatory. Instead, the pipes, water pressure, flow rate, and more must be tested by maintenance professionals.
Tips for Compliance and Readiness
To ensure that your fire sprinkler system complies with all testing requirements, it’s always a good idea to keep detailed records of all inspections and test dates. Thorough maintenance records are also a good idea, with the contact information of any maintenance companies hired to carry out the repairs kept in your records.
You should also stay current on NFPA 25 rules and regulations and any local fire codes your business must comply with.
For readiness, it’s also a good idea to train staff on proper fire safety procedures, including fire extinguishers and the appropriate Shutgun device. Speaking of which, you should also keep the right type of Shutgun on hand for the specific types of fire sprinkler heads your system features.
For example, if your facility features concealed head sprinklers, stocking the Concealed Head Shutgun would allow you to deactivate these hard-to-reach sprinkler heads during an emergency quickly. A Sheared Head Shutgun can also deactivate a broken sprinkler head, which would be incredibly difficult to shut off without the right tool.
To ensure you have the correct number and types of Shutguns, pick up a Custom Shutgun Case, which can be built with the exact types and quantities of tools you need to protect your property.
Final Words
Any building owner has a critical responsibility to test their fire sprinkler systems regularly. Ensuring sprinklers function correctly can prevent disaster and legally regulate your business. Rather than take the risk, conduct the correct tests and address any maintenance concerns you identify before they become a problem.