Fire Protection Inspection, Testing & Maintenance: Recommended Frequency Chart

IMPORTANT NOTICE
This list is not all inclusive. If you are responsible for either conducting inspection, testing or maintenance, or ensuring
that a contractor is completing the work as required, you are ultimately responsible to review the most current and
applicable referenced standard to ensure that all items are addressed. This is particularly applicable to Water-Based Fire
Protection Systems as referenced in NFPA 25 and Fire Alarm Systems as referenced in NFPA 72 as the inspection, testing
and maintenance chapters are very detailed. Please ensure that the work that is required is thoroughly documented, and
maintained as required by your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Fire Extinguishers Portable
Reference NFPA 10 (2013)

Item
All Types
Pressurized Water
Wet Chemical

Activity
Visual Inspection
Thorough Examination
Hydrostatic Testing
Carbon Dioxide
Thorough Examination
Hydrostatic Testing
Dry Chemical
Thorough Examination
Maintenance w/internal exam
Hydrostatic Testing
Film-Forming Foam
Thorough Examination
(AFFF and FFFP types)
Maintenance w/internal exam
Hydrostatic Testing
Halocarbon
Thorough Examination
Clean Agent
Maintenance w/internal exam
Hydrostatic Testing
Private Fire Service Mains, Yard Hydrants and Related Components

Frequency
Monthly
Annually
Every 5 years
Annually
Every 5 years
Annually
Every 6 years
Every 12 years
Annually
Every 3 years
Every 12 years
Annually
Every 6 years
Every 12 years

Reference NFPA 25 (2011), Table 7.1.1.2

Item
Hose Houses
Hydrants
Monitor Nozzles
Mainline Strainers
Piping (exposed)

Activity
Visual Inspection
General Maintenance
Flow Test + Inspection
Maintenance
Flow Test (range & operation)
Maintenance
Inspected
Maintenance
Inspected
Tested

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Frequency
Quarterly
Annually
Annually
Annually
Annually
Annually
Annually + after flows
Annually + after flows
Annually
Every 5 years
Page 1 of 7

Insurance

Property Risk
Engineering
GAPS

Sprinkler Systems Reference NFPA 25 (2014), Table 5.1.1.2, Table 13.1.1.2

Item
Activity
Gauges (dry, pre-action, deluge systems) Visual Inspection
Gauges (wet pipe systems)
Visual Inspection
Test By Comparison With Calibrated Gauge or Replace
Control Valves
Visual Inspection
Test Position/Operation
Test Supervisory
Maintenance
Alarm Valves
Visual Inspection
Internally Inspected
Check Valves
Internally Inspected
Dry Pipe Valves/ Quick-Opening
Visual Inspection
Devices
Internally Inspected
Test Priming Water
Test Low Air Pressure Alarms
Test Low Temperature
Trip Test
Full Flow Trip Test
Test Air Leakage
Maintenance
Preaction/Deluge Valves
Visual Inspection
(Includes Double-Interlocking Preaction
Full Flow Test
Valves)
Maintenance
Test Air Leakage
Waterflow Alarm Devices
Visual Inspection
Testing (mechanical devices)
Testing (vane & pressure devices)
Valve Supervisory Alarm Devices
Visual Inspection
Obstructions (internal inspection of
Visual Inspection

Frequency
* Weekly/Monthly
Monthly
5 years
Weekly-sealed; Monthly- locked, tamper switch
Annually
Semiannually
Annually
Monthly
5 years
5 years
Monthly
Annually
Quarterly
Quarterly
Annually
Annually
3 years
3 years (w/o Pressure Source - No Leaks Over 4 Hours)
Annually
Monthly (daily/weekly when subject to cold weather)
Annually
Annually
3 years (w/o Pressure Source - No Leaks Over 4 Hours)
Quarterly
Quarterly
Semiannually
Quarterly
5 years (see Ch 14.2)

system piping)

Sprinklers
Main Drains

Visual Inspection
Sample Test those > 50 years old Annually
Testing

Annually
Special Schedule
Annually; Quarterly (sole supply via backflow, check
valve, etc. OR 10 % reduction from previous records)

Fire Dept. Connections

Visual Inspection

Quarterly
* If the gauge is electronically
monitored, or valves chained
and locked, then the inspection
frequency could be monthly

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Page 2 of 7

Sprinkler Systems Reference NFPA 25 (2014), Table 5.1.1.2, Table 13.1.1.2

Performance and Water-Based Fire Inspection, Testing and Maintenance for such systems
Protection Systems
(e.g. QuellTM, VanQuishTM, etc.) are subject to equivalent or
superior levels of quantitative analyses.
Equivalent or superior levels of performance can be
demonstrated through quantitative performance-based
analyses (See NFPA 25, Appendix A.4.6).
Standpipe and Hose Systems
Item
Control Valves, and Pressure
Regulating Devices

Reference NFPA 25 (2014), Table 6.1.1.2

Hose, Hose Connections, Hose

Nozzle + Storage Device
Hose

Activity

Test Position/Operation
Test Supervisory
Maintenance
Hydrostatic Testing

Frequency
Weekly-sealed
Monthly- locked, tamper switch
Quarterly - electronically supervised
Annually
Semiannually
Annually
Every 5 years

Visual Inspection

Annually per NFPA 1962; Annually

Hydrostatic Testing

5 years

Visual Inspection

Fire Pumps Reference NFPA 25 (2014), Table 8.1.2, Table 8.1.1.2, Chapters 8.2 and 8.3
Item
Electric Motor Driven
Inspect
Check
(Not within high-rises beyond fire department service)

Activity
Change

Frequency
Clean

Start at no flow conditions 10 minutes

Operate manual starting means
Grease electric motor bearings
Electric Motor Driven

Each system will have its own baseline care

and maintenance requirements outlined by its
manufacturers technical specifications.

Within high-rises beyond fire department service,

Or, provided with limited service controllers,
Or, vertical turbine fire pumps,
Or, pumps taking suction from ground level tanks
Or, a water source having insufficient pressure to be of
material value w/o pump.

Test

Inspect

Check

Change

Clean

Start at no flow conditions 10 minutes

Operate manual starting means
Grease electric motor bearings

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Test

Page 3 of 7

Monthly
Monthly
Annually

Weekly
Weekly
Annually

Fire Pumps Reference NFPA 25 (2014), Table 8.1.2, Table 8.1.1.2, Chapters 8.2 and 8.3
Diesel Motor Driven
Inspect
Check
Start at no flow conditions 30 minutes
Fuel tank level

Flexible fuel hoses and connectors

Engine oil level

Change engine oil and oil filter(s)

Engine crankcase breather

Cooling system level

Cooling antifreeze protection level

Cooling line water strainers
Exhaust system leakage

Exhaust system hangers and supports

Flexible exhaust section

Battery system electrolyte level

Battery terminals cleaned and tightened

Battery specific gravity or state of charge

Battery charging and charge rate

Fire Pumps
Item

Change

Clean

Test

Weekly
Weekly
Weekly
Weekly
Annually or every 50 hours
Quarterly
Weekly
Semiannually
Quarterly
Weekly
Annually
Semiannually
Quarterly
Monthly
Monthly

Reference NFPA 25 (2014), Table 8.1.2, Table 8.1.1.2, Chapters 8.3.2 and 8.3.3

Flow Testing (all types of fire pumps)

All Fire Pump Installations
Fire Pump Alarm Signals

Activity

Frequency

Full Flow Test - Three Point Net Curve

Maintenance
Test - Simulated by activating alarm circuits at alarm sensor
locations, and all such local or remote alarm indicating
devices (visual and audible)

Annually
See Manufacturers Recs. and Ch. 8.6

Pump House, Pump Room, Heating

Inspection General
Ventilating Louvers
Water Storage Tanks
Item
Water Temperature

Annually
Weekly

Reference NFPA 25 (2014), Table 9.1.1.2,, Table 9.5.1.1, Table 9.6.1

Activity

Frequency

Visual Inspection
Alarms connected to attended location
Alarms not Connected to attended location

Monthly
Weekly

Test Supervisory

Monthly*

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Water Storage Tanks

Tank Heating System

Reference NFPA 25 (2014), Table 9.1.1.2,, Table 9.5.1.1, Table 9.6.1

Visual Inspection
Low temp alarm systems connected to attended location

Weekly

Alarms not Connected to attended location

Daily

Test Supervisory
Water Level

Tanks

Exterior and support structures

Monthly*

Visual Inspection
Alarms connected to attended location

Quarterly

Alarms not Connected to attended location

Monthly

Test Supervisory Alarms

Semiannually

Inspection

Quarterly

Inspection
Tanks Interior

Automatic Tank Fill Valve

Tanks without corrosion protection

3 years

All other tanks

5 years

Inspection - Strainers, Filters, Orifices

5 years

Test Operation

Annually

* During cold or heating

season only

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Other Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems

References NFPA 11 (2010), NFPA 12 (2015), NFPA 12A (2015), NFPA 17 (2013), NFPA 17A (2013), NFPA 25 (2014) and NFPA 2001 (2015)

Item

Activity

Frequency

Dry Chemical Systems

Test and Maintenance

Inspect - Operational Condition of Low Pressure Systems
(LPS)
Inspect - Operational Condition of High Pressure Cylinders
(HPC)
Maintenance (HPC) - Weighed & date of last hydro-test
noted
Maintenance and Test (LPS and HPC)
Inspect agent quantity and pressure

Semiannually
Weekly - The liquid level gauges of low
pressure containers shall be observed.
Monthly

CO2 Systems

Inspect protected enclosure for penetrations

Clean-Agent Systems

Wet Chemical Systems

Water Spray Systems

Inspect Anytime when:

Halocarbon Clean Agent Cylinders > 5% net loss in agent
weight OR loss in pressure of > 10% then refill or replace
cylinders
Inert gas clean agent cylinders containing agent under
pressure (not liquefied) showing a loss in pressure of > 5%
then refill or replace cylinders
Any penetrations made or found within enclosures
protected by clean agent systems need to be sealed
Test General
Inspection (Typically by owner)
Maintenance
Valves Inspect/Test
Main Drain- Test
Water Flow Alarms- Test

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Page 6 of 7

Semiannually
Annually
Semiannually
Annually
(Enclosure inspection can be > 12 months
if documented programs exist w/ barrier
integrity)

Anytime

Anytime

Anytime
Annually
Monthly
Semiannually
Weekly/Monthly
Annually
Annually

Other Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems

References NFPA 11 (2010), NFPA 12 (2015), NFPA 12A (2015), NFPA 17 (2013), NFPA 17A (2013), NFPA 25 (2014) and NFPA 2001 (2015)

Low, Medium or High Expansion

Foam Systems

Inspect
Discharge Device (Spray Nozzle) Location & Position
Proportioning Systems All
Above Ground Piping
Discharge Device Location & Position (Sprinklers)
Foam Concentrate Strainer(s)
Test
Waterflow Devices (Water Motor Gongs, Pressure
Switches, etc.)
Control Valves (Tamper Switches)
Complete foam-water system:
Foam Concentrate
Foam Water Solution
Proportioning Systems - All

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Monthly
Monthly
Annually
Annually
Quarterly
Quarterly
Semiannually

Annually

Other Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems

References NFPA 11 (2010), NFPA 12 (2011), NFPA 12A (2011), NFPA 17 (2013), NFPA 17A (2013), NFPA 25 (2011) and NFPA 2001 (2012)

Item

Activity

Foam Sprinkler Systems

Inspect
Discharge Device Location and Position (Spray nozzle)
Proportioning Systems All
Drainage in System Area
Foam Concentrate Strainer(s)
Discharge Device Location and Position (Sprinkler)
Fittings w/Corrosion and Damage
Test
Waterflow Devices (Water Motor Gongs, Pressure Switches, etc.)
Backflow Preventers
Foam Concentrate Sample
Maintenance
In-Line Balanced Pressure Type Proportioning Systems
Balancing Valve Diaphragm
Foam Concentrate Pumps
Pressure Vacuum Vents
Bladder Type Proportioning Systems - Hydrostatic Test
In-Line Balanced Pressure Type Proportioning Systems - Foam
Concentrate Tank
Line Type Proportioning Systems - Foam Concentrate tank - Drain
and Flush
Standard Pressure Type Proportioning Systems - Tank Corrosion
and Hydrostatic Test

See NFPA 25, Table 11.1.1.2

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Frequency

Page 8 of 7

Monthly
Monthly
Quarterly
Quarterly
Annually
Annually
Quarterly
Annually
Annually

5 years
5 years
5 years
5 years
10 years
10 years
10 years

Fire Alarms, Related Initiating and Notification Devices

Item
Inspection
Control Equipment:
Fire Alarm Systems
Initiating devices
Air Sampling Type
Duct Detectors
Manual Fire Alarm Pull Boxes
Heat Detectors
Radiant Energy
Video Image Smoke Type
Smoke Detectors

Reference NFPA 72 (2013) Table 14.3.1, Table 14.4.3.2

Testing

Comments

Weekly Unmonitored systems

Annually Monitored systems

Annually

Trouble signals on monitored systems are allowed

semiannual frequency

All Types - Semiannually

All Types
Annually
except
Radiant
Energy Types Semiannually

Fire Alarms, Related Initiating and Notification Devices

Item
Inspection

Visual Inspection = Verify location and condition (all

types)
Testing = According to manufacturers
recommended procedures

Reference NFPA 72 (2013) Table 14.3.1, Table 14.4.3.2

Testing

Comments

Annually

Verify location and condition (all types)

Annually

Visual Inspection = Verify a system normal condition

Mass Notification Systems

Weekly Unmonitored systems

Annually Monitored systems
Annually

Emergency Power
Item

Activity

Frequency

Visual Inspected
Tested - Exercised
Diesel units at >30% of their EPS* standby nameplate kW
rating
Tested - Load Tested

Weekly

Notification Appliances

Reference NFPA 110 (2013)

Generators

Monthly - 30 minutes
Annually
Weekly Storage type
Monthly Lead acid

Generators - Batteries

Inspected

Generator Transfer Switches

Tested Operated electrically operating the transfer switch

from the primary position to the alternate position and then a Monthly
return to the primary position

* Emergency power supply (EPS)

Fire Doors
Item

Reference NFPA 80 (2013)

Vertical and Horizontal Automatic

Sliding and Rolling Type

Activity

Frequency

Visual Inspected
Tested Exercised to full closure

Daily
Annually

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