Similar to other building systems, fire safety systems also need to be regularly maintained to ensure safety. Hart says inspections can occur more frequently than testing, but most systems need to be tested annually.
“There’s some components that need to be looked at a little bit more frequently,” he says. “For fire alarm systems, NFPA Chapter 14 provides a number of tables that provide the intervals that are required to have visual inspection, physical testing and then maintenance activities performed. Annual (inspection) is a good, general rule. You’re going to have a pretty big annual inspection testing, but there are certain times where it can be done sooner.”
The inspection, testing and maintenance of fire safety systems is not usually based on the risk of building occupancy. All the testing and maintenance are the same because the systems goes through the same wear and tear as others.
“For most of the components, we’re going to be inspecting them onan annual or semi-annual basis, making sure that the sprinkler valves look like they’re going in the right position, they’re going to operate, there’s no leaking,” Mahoney says. “On an annual basis, you’re going to flow water out of the test connection to make sure you’re getting a proper water flow. You’re going to inspect every sprinkler in the building, making sure it’s not damaged. You’re going to be doing a full flow test on your fire pump, making sure you’re getting the right performance out of it.”
Fire and life-safety codes and standards are always evolving to incorporate proven data. The challenge for managers is complying with testing and inspection requirements no matter the age of a building’s systems.
“For the most part, a building that was constructed previously is allowed to be pretty much kept the way it was as long as it’s maintained,” Hart says. “That maintenance is now allowed to drop off. If you have a fire protection feature that’s there and it’s required, you have to make sure that it’s maintained.”
Managers need to pay close attention to deficiencies or impairments that are outlined in NFPA 25, Hart says, adding that there are two types of deficiencies: A non-critical deficiency means the building is not meeting code or the standard, and while there might be an issue, it is not affecting the system’s performance. A critical deficiency occurs when an issue does impact on safety and must be fixed immediately.
“The biggest thing is making sure that we’re inspecting, testing and maintaining all those fire protection systems because they’re the last thought in a facility,” Mahoney says. “It’s usually thought of as a hinderance to do these things, but that’s all there to make sure that in the event of an emergency, everybody and everything is protected and has time to evacuate.”
Mackenna Moralez is the managing editor of the Facilities Market and the host of the Facilities in Focus podcast.
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