City Fire Equipment Company

Presents the

NFPA25 Guidelines*

 

Inspection, Testing & Maintenance of Water Based Fire Protection Systems

 

City Fire Equipment Company is providing these guidelines as a public service to the fire protection community. Our goal is to clarify the inspection testing and maintenance requirements of the State of

New Jersey Uniform Fire Code

State of New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.

(as amended January 2, 1999)

*Section F-506.0 Water-Based Fire Protection Systems: All water sprinkler and water-spray extinguishing systems and standpipe systems shall be periodically inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the requirements of NFPA25 1998 including Appendix B, NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)

Phone 973-560-1600 Fax 973-781-1099

Page 1

SPRINKLER SYSTEM

INSPECTION

TEST

MAINTENANCE

Gauges (dry)

Weekly/Monthly

Every 5 years

Control Valves

Weekly/Monthly

Annually

Alarm Devices

Quarterly

Quarterly

Gauges (wet)

Monthly

Every 5 Years

Hydraulic nameplate

Quarterly

Buildings

Annually (prior to freezing weather)

Hanger/seismic bracing

Annually

Pipe and fittings

Annually

SPRINKLER HEADS

Extra high temp.

Annually

5 Years

Fast response

Annually

At 20 years and 10 years thereafter

Sprinklers

Annually

At 50 years and 10 years thereafter

Spare sprinklers

Annually

Main Drain

Quarterly

Antifreeze solution

Annually

STANDPIPE AND HOSE SYSTEM

VALVES

      

All types

    

Annually/as needed

Control valves

Weekly/monthly

    

Pressure control valve

  

Every 5 Years

  

Pressure reducing valve

  

Every 5 Years

  

Pressure regulating devices

Quarterly

    

Piping

Quarterly

    

Hose connections

Quarterly

  

Annually

Hose

Annually

    

Hose storage device

  

Annually

  

Hose Nozzle

  

Annually

  

Cabinet

Annually

    

Hydrostatic test

  

5 Years

  

Flow Test

  

5 Years

  

Main drain test

  

Annually

  

FIRE PUMPS

INSPECTION

TEST

MAINTENANCE

Pump house, heating ventilation louvers

Weekly

Fire pump system

Weekly

PUMP OPERATION

No-flow condition

Weekly

Flow condition

Annually

Hydraulic

Annually

Mechanical transmission

Annually

Electrical system

Varies

Controller, various components

Varies

Motor

Annually

Diesel engine system, various components

Varies

Page 2

PRIVATE FIRE SERVICE MAINS

      

Hose houses

Quarterly

  

Annually

Hydrants (dry barrel and wall)

Annually and after each operation

Flow annually

Annually

Monitor nozzles

Semiannually

Flow annually (rang and operation)

Annually

Hydrants (wet barrel)

Annually and after each operation

Flow annually

Annually

Mainline strainers

Annually and after each significant flow

  

Annually and after each operation

Piping (exposed)

Annually

  

5 years

Piping (Underground)

*see note

  

5 years

*The following requirements outline inspection intervals, conditions to be inspected, and corrective actions necessary for private fire service mains and associated equipment. All procedures shall be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, where applicable.

WATER STORAGE TANKS

      

Condition of water in tank

Monthly/quarterly

Water temperature

Daily/weekly

Heating system

Daily/weekly

    

Control valves

Weekly/monthly

  

Annually

Water-level

Monthly/quarterly

  

6-4.1

Air pressure

Monthly/quarterly

    

Tank - exterior

Quarterly

    

Support structure

Quarterly

    

Catwalks and ladders

Quarterly

    

Surrounding area

Quarterly

    

Hoops and grillage

Annually

    

Painted/coated surfaces

Annually

Expansion joints

Annually

    

Interior

5 years/3 years

    

Check Valves

5 Years

9-4.2.2

Temperature alarms

  

Monthly

  

High-temperature limit switches

  

Monthly

  

Water level alarms

  

Semiannually

  

Level indicators

  

5 Years

  

Pressure gauges

  

5 Years

  

Thermostats

    

Manufactures instructions

Drain sediment

    

Semiannually

Cathodic protection

    

Annually

Drain valves cycled

    

Annually

Vent screens

    

Annually

Repainting – steel

    

6-4.16

Embankment-supported coated-fabric

    

6-4.17

6-4.1 The tank shall be maintained full or at the designed water level. The hatch covers in the roofs and the door at the top of the frostproof casing shall always be kept securely fastened with substantial catches as a protection against freezing and windstorm damage.

9-4.2.2 Internal components shall be cleaned, repaired, or replaced as necessary in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

6-4.16 Repainting shall be done only on dry surfaces that are thoroughly cleaned of all base paint, rust, scale, or other surface contamination.

6-4.17 The maintenance of ESCF tanks shall be completed in accordance with this section and the tank manufacturer’s instructions.

 

Page 3

 

WATER SPRAY FIXED SYSTEMS

INSPECTION

OPERATIONAL TEST

MAINTENANCE

Backflow preventer

7-3.8

7-3.8

7-3.8

Check valves

7-3.8

7-3.8

7-3.8

Control valves

Weekly (sealed)

Quarterly

Annually

Control valves

Monthly (locked,supervised)

Quarterly

Annually

Deluge valve

7-3.2

7-3.2.1, 7-3.2.2

7-3.2.1, 7-3.2.2

Detection systems

NFPA 72

NFPA 72

NFPA 72

Detector check valves

7-3.8

7-3.8

7-3.8

Drainage

Quarterly

    

Electric motor

7-3.11

7-3.11

7-3.11

Engine drive

7-3.11

7-3.11

7-3.11

Fire Pump

7-3.11

7-3.11

7-3.11

Fittings

Quarterly

    

Fittings (rubber-gasketed)

Quarterly

    

Gravity tanks

7-3.12

7-3.12

7-3.12

Hangers

Quarterly

    

Heat (deluge valve house)

Daily/weekly

    

Nozzles

Monthly

Annually

  

Pipe

Quarterly

    

Pressure tank

7-3.12

7-3.12

7-3.12

Stream driver

7-3.11

7-3.11

7-3.11

Strainers

Mfg. Instructions

Annually

Annually

Strainers (baskets/screen)

    

5 Years

Suction tanks

7-3.12

7-3.12

7-3.12

Supports

Quarterly

    

Water supply piping

7-3.6.1, 7-3.6.2

    

Water flow alarm

  

Quarterly

  

Water spray system

  

Annually

Annually

Water supply flow test

  

4-3.2

  

Main drain test

  

Quarterly

  

Manual release

  

Annually

  

UHSWSS – detectors

Monthly

    

UHSWSS – controllers

Each shift

    

UHSWSS – valves

Each shift

    

UHSWSS

  

Annually

  

Backflow preventer

    

7-3.8

4-3.2Hydrants shall be tested annually to ensure proper functioning. Each hydrant shall be opened fully and waterflowed until all foreign material has cleared. Flow shall be maintained for not less than one minute.

7-3.2, 7-3.2.1, 7-3.2.2Deluge valves shall be inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with Chapter 9. Where applicable, the deluge valve enclosure shall be maintained at a minimum of 40 deg. F

7-3.6.1.The dependability of the water supply shall be ensured by regular inspection and maintenance, whether furnished by a municipal source, on-site storage tanks, a fire pump, or private underground piping systems.

7-3.6.2 Water supply piping shall be maintained free of internal obstructions.

7-3.8 Other devices, such as check valves, detector check valves, and backflow preventers, that are installed in the water supply piping system shall be inspected and maintained so that they do not impede the flow of water and fire main pressure see chapter 9 for inspection and maintenance requirements.

7-3.11 See chapter 5

7-3.12 See chapter 6

Page 4

FOAM-WATER SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

Inspection

Test

Maintenance

Discharge device location (sprinkler)

Annually

Annually

  

Discharge device location (spray Nozzle)

Monthly

Annually

  

Discharge device position (sprinkler)

Annually

Annually

  

Discharge device position (spray nozzle)

Monthly

Annually

  

Discharge device obstruction

  

Annually

  

Foam concentrate strainer(s)

Quarterly

Annually

Quarterly

Foam concentrate pump operation

    

Monthly

Foam concentrate samples

    

Annually

Drainage in system area

Quarterly

    

Proportioning systems(s) all

Monthly

Annually

  

Pipe corrosion

Quarterly

    

Pipe damage

Quarterly

    

Fittings corrosion

Quarterly

    

Fittings damage

Quarterly

Hangers/supports

Quarterly

    

Water supply tank(s)

See chapter 6 NFPA 25

See chapter 6 NFPA 25

See chapter 6 NFPA 25

Complete foam-water system(s)

  

Annually

  

Foam-water solution

  

Annually

  

Manual actuation device(s)

  

Annually

  

Backflow preventer(s)

  

Annually

See chapter 9 NFPA 25

Fire pump(s)

See chapter 5 NFPA 25

See chapter 5 NFPA 25

See chapter 5 NFPA 25

Water supply piping

8-2.6.1

Annually

Annually

Control valve(s)

Weekly/monthly

See chapter 9 NFAP 25

See chapter 9 NFPA 25

Deluge/preaction valve(s)

See chapter 9 NFPA 25

See chapter 9 NFPA 25

See chapter 9 NFPA 25

Water supply flow test

  

See chapter 4 NFPA 25

  

Detector check valve(s)

    

See chapter 9 NFPA 25

Check Valve

See chapter 9 NFPA 25

Strainer(s) – mainline

  

See chapter 7 NFPA 25

See chapter 9 NFPA 25

Detection System

See NFPA 72

See NFPA 72

See NFPA 72

Ball drip (auto type) drain valves

    

5 Years

Foam concentrate tank – drain and flush

    

10 years

Corrosion and hydro test Bladder tank type Bladder tank type

    

10 Years

Sight glass

    

10 Years

Foam concentrate tank hydro test Line Type

    

10 Years

Foam concentrate tank – corrosion and pick up pipes

    

10 Years

Foam concentrate tank – drain and flush

    

10 years

Corrosion and hydro test

    

10 Years

Sight Glass

    

10 Years

Foam Concentrate pump(s)

    

5 Years also refer to manufacturer instructions

Balancing valve diaphragm

    

5 Years

Foam concentrate tank

    

10 years

Pressure vacuum vents

    

5 Years

8-2.6.1The dependability of the water supply shall be ensured by regular inspection and maintenance, whether furnished by a municipal source, on-site storage tanks, a fire pump, or private underground piping system.

The guidelines for valves apply for all water based Fire Protection Systems according to the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code State Fire Prevention Code Effective January 2, 1999.

The guidelines for valves apply for all water based Fire Protection Systems according to the NFPA 25, Chapter 9.

VALVES, VALVE COMPONENTS, AND TRIM

Inspection

Test

Maintenance

CONTROL VALVES

    

Annually

Sealed

Weekly

    

Locked

Monthly

    

Tamper switches

Monthly

    

Position

  

Quarterly

  

Operation

  

Annually

  

Supervisory

  

Semiannually

  

ALARM VALVES

      

Exterior

Monthly

    

Interior

5 Years

    

Strainers, filters, orifices

5 Years

    

CHECK VALVES

      

Interior

5 Years

    

MAIN DRAINS

  

Annually

  

WATERFLOW ALARMS

  

Quarterly

  

PREACTION/DELUGE VALVES

      

Priming water

  

Quarterly

  

Low air pressure alarms

  

Quarterly

  

Full flow

  

Annually

  

Enclosure (during cold weather)

Daily/weekly

    

Exterior

Monthly

    

Interior

Annually

    

Strainers, filters, orifices

5 Years

    

DRY PIPE VALVES/QUICK-OPENING DEVICES

Inspection

Test

Maintenance

Enclosure (during cold weather)

Daily/weekly

    

Exterior

Monthly

    

Interior

Annually

    

Strainers, filters, orifices

5 Years

    

Priming water

  

Quarterly

  

Low air pressure alarm

  

Quarterly

  

Quick-opening devices

  

Quarterly

  

Trip test

  

Annually

  

Full flow trip test

  

3 Years

  

Pressure Reducing and Relief Valves

      

Sprinkler systems

Quarterly

Annually

  

Hose connections

Quarterly

5 Years

  

Hose racks

Quarterly

5 Years

  

Casing relief valves

Weekly

    

Circulation relief

  

Annually

  

Pressure relief valves

Weekly

Annually

  

Backflow Prevention Assemblies

  

Annually

  

Reduced Pressure

Weekly/Monthly

    

Reduced pressure detectors

Weekly/Monthly

    

Fire Department connections

Quarterly

    

Preaction/deluge Valve

    

Annually

Dry Pipe Valve/Quick-Opening Devices

    

Annually