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F . A
. Q .
Am I required to test my sprinkler system?
Yes.
"All water based fire protection systems shall be
maintained in accordance with NFPA 25”
(Massachusetts
State Building Code 6th Edition Para. 901.4).
NFPA 25 establishes the
minimum
frequency rates for testing and inspection of all water
based systems.
How
long should I maintain the records of inspections?
Records for testing and
inspection are required to be maintained for the life of
the system.
How
often should I test my systems?
Testing and inspection
frequencies are noted in NFPA 25. Testing and
inspections are done on
a quarterly and annual basis.
How
often should I test my fire pump?
Fire pumps are required to have an annual
test.
How
often should I exercise my fire pump?
Electric fire pumps are to be exercised 10
minutes per week.
Diesel driven fire pumps are to be exercised 30 minutes
per week.
Who
can run the fire pump for the exercise period?
It is not required that a
licensed operator run the fire pump. The code permits a
competent
operator to run the pump.
There
is water leaking on the shaft of the fire pump. Is this
normal?
Fire pump retaining glands
should have a continual drip. This drip rate will be in
the order of
drops per minute. If excessive, the
retaining glands should be adjusted. A note of caution
though, do not over tighten retaining glands. The packing
in the glands will deteriorate rapidly if
glands are to
tight.
The
sprinkler heads on my system were installed when the
building was built in 1920 will they still operate?
“Where sprinklers have been in
service for 50 years, they shall be replaced or
representative
samples from one or more areas shall be
tested…” (NPFA 25 para. 5.3.1.1.1)
“Sprinklers manufactured prior
to 1920 shall be replaced.” (NFPA 25 para. 5.3.1.1.1.1)
“Sprinkler manufactured using
fast-response elements that have been in service for 20
years shall
be tested….”(NFPA 25 para.5.3.1.1.1.2)
“Dry sprinklers that have been
in service for 10 years shall be tested or replaced…” (NFPA
25
para. 5.3.1.1.1.5)
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