Dry Pipe Fire Sprinkler Systems Inspection Testing Maintenance

Systems other than those which have been properly installed are beyond the scope of nfpa 25.

Dry pipe fire sprinkler systems inspection testing maintenance.

An inspection is a visual inspection performed from the ground. An nfpa 25 inspection applies to a properly installed fire sprinkler system only and is the standard for inspecting not for installing. Specific requirements relating to the inspection testing and maintenance of wet and dry pipe fire sp rinkler systems can be found in chapters 5 13 14 and 15 of nfpa 25. For foam water sprinkler systems in aircraft hangars refer to the inspection test and maintenance requirements of nfpa 409 table 11 1 1.

Dry sprinkler systems protect people and property from fires in areas prone to freezing but this important benefit comes with some strings attached. During a complete fire sprinkler system test the technician should perform physical checks on all parts of your fire sprinkler system. Instead the water delivery time is compared to results from the original acceptance test which was performed right after the system was installed. Inspection testing and maintenance of dry pipe valves and dry pipe systems are critical to maintaining effective fire protection.

As part of the minimum inspection testing and maintenance requirements for wet pipe systems and portions of dry pipe systems containing water it is critical to ensure that the piping is protected against freezing conditions. Dry pipe valves are used in areas subject to freezing temperatures. Since dry sprinklers are more complicated than wet sprinkler systems and regularly exposed to harsh environments extra care is required to maintain reliable fire protection. Maintenance intervals other than preventive maintenance are not provided as they depend on the results of the visual inspections and operational tests.

During full flow tests dry sprinkler systems don t have to deliver water to the inspector s test connection within the 60 second timeframe generally required by nfpa during a fire.