Commercial fires are far too common in the United States. Did you know there are nearly 38,000 fires at industrial or manufacturing properties annually? The end result is injury, loss of life, and billions in property damage.
A commercial fire can set your business back indefinitely. The best strategy is to invest in fire prevention and suppression systems. Not only is an upfront investment required, but routine maintenance is also critical.
Read on to learn how often fire sprinklers should be inspected. Explore why it is crucial to have a fire sprinkler system routinely inspected in the southern United States and the St. Petersburg area.
Why Are Inspections So Important?
No one can predict when a fire will occur. In some cases, fires are accidental while others are caused by negligence. Proper preparation is one aspect that is entirely under a company’s control.
This starts with ensuring proper fire prevention mechanisms are in place. However, this is only step one in the battle against industrial fires.
The next step is keeping up with a system’s scheduled and unscheduled maintenance requirements. For example, it is imperative to routinely test fire sprinklers.
Imagine a fire starts in an office building or college campus and the sprinklers do not turn on. This is a risk that cannot afford to be taken. Periodically inspecting and testing a fire sprinkler system ensures that this does not occur.
How Often Should Fire Sprinklers Be Inspected?
There are nationally recognized inspection and testing standards set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The state of Florida and many others have codified these standards into law.
A fire sprinkler system in a large, commercial building is complex. There are many different technical elements from water flow to sensors. Each subsystem has a different periodicity for inspections and testing.
In accordance with NFPA standards, Florida imposes staggered inspection requirements. They occur quarterly, annually, and every 5 years.
Every year, a visual inspection of the fire sprinkler system is required. It can be completed at the floor-level. Sprinklers located in a concealed section do not require inspection at this interval.
Weekly and monthly gauge inspections are required. This covers gauges for pre-action, dry, and deluge systems.
Quarterly inspections cover alarm systems and signaling. Water flow and valve alarms are covered during this 3-month interval inspection.
There is more to the annual interval than merely a visual inspection. Pipes and fittings, information signage, and bracings are checked at this time. Also, spare sprinklers are covered during this inspection.
Lastly, there is a 5-year inspection interval. This covers an internal inspection of sprinkler piping and is the most involved.
Guide to Fire Sprinkler Inspections
In large industrial or commercial buildings, extensive fire prevention is crucial. A fire sprinkler system can protect human life, intellectual property, and expensive equipment.
To ensure your system is working properly, it is necessary to arrange for routine professional inspection. Every subsystem, from the alarms to the pipes, is covered in various intervals. If you are seeking inspection for fire sprinklers, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
