MillBrookArticle_HowOftenShallYourFireSprinklerSystemsBeInspectedAndTested
                     How Often Should Your Fire Sprinkler Systems Be Inspected And Tested?
HOW OFTEN 
SHOULD YOUR
FIRE
SPRINKLER
SYSTEMS
BE
INSPECTED
AND
Fire Sprinkler Systems have set a benchmark of exceptional fire safety and protection.
Almost all residential and office 
buildings have ensured (and 
are ensuring) to install a fire 
sprinkler system at their 
premises. The automatic 
operation of these systems 
serves to be the first line of 
defense in the worst-case 
scenarios that is when a fire 
does indeed break out.
These fire sprinkler 
systems are, therefore, 
dependable. quite
And when such a reliable arrangement constitutes to be an imperative component of 
your fire safety plan, it is quite necessary to get it regularly inspected and tested, to 
make sure that it continues to perform optimally. So, if you are a business owner or 
facilities manager, you should be informed on how often you should be getting your 
sprinkler systems inspected and tested.
In this article, we’re going to furnish you with a general overview of these particular 
specifics and details:
How Often Should Fire Sprinklers Be Inspected?
All the components of a fire sprinkler system, based on their functioning, require to 
be inspected at different time 
intervals.
The following are the 
recommended time intervals of 
inspection of the different 
elements of a sprinkler system:
Weekly To Monthly
Gauges are a vital component of 
a fire sprinkler system. They help 
to ensure that the system is 
active and in service. They also 
check that proper water supply
and pressure are available. 
Temperature Gauge Therefore, gauges need to be 
Float Switch inspected as much as once a 
week to make sure that they are 
System Supply Valve fit for the purpose, whether we 
Security Lock talk about dry, pre-action, and 
Heating Element (behind alarm) deluge systems.
However, the wet pipe gauges 
System Alarm Test Button
can go as far as one month 
System Alarm without requiring another
System Drain Valve
Pipe Cap
inspection.
Quarterly
Once every three months, the water flow alarm devices, signal devices, valve alarm 
devices, hydraulic data plates, control valves, and fire department connections of the 
sprinkler system must be extensively inspected.
Annually
An annual testing and or flow test constitutes the monitoring of pipework and fittings, 
signage, hanger/seismic bracing, and the fire sprinkler system as a complete unit, itself.
Every Five Years
It is highly recommended to inspect all internal pipework concerning the entire 
installed unit of a fire sprinkler system. The blockages must be checked as well. 
And, other components, as per their functioning, and requirement should too be 
serviced.
How Often Should Fire Sprinkler Systems Be Tested?
First of all, let us tell you the 
difference between 
inspections and testing of 
fire sprinkler systems.
Inspections are 
fundamentally visual checks, 
whereas testing involves 
actual physical use of the 
equipment to verify whether 
the component is 
functioning as intended or 
not.
That is the reason testing is 
executed at less frequent 
time intervals than 
inspections.
Quarterly
It is recommended to execute a physical test on all the mechanical devices of a fire 
sprinkler system. This is usually mandated by the local AHJ.
Semi-Annually
At this time, vane and pressure switch type devices must be tested every six months.
Annually
Likewise, and as bracketed under the annual inspection category, a fire sprinkler 
system must be thoroughly tested, every year, as well. Technicians must physically 
check each and every component of the entire unit, from water flow and fire pump to 
alarm and trip tests of dry pipe, deluge, and pre-action valves. This is also usually 
mandated by the local AHJ.
Every Five Years
Precautionary tests on the sprinklers exposed to either high temperatures or harsh 
conditions must most definitely be conducted every five years. Gauges of all types of 
sprinkler systems shall too be tested and/or replaced (as per requirement).
Every 10 Years
Dry sprinkler systems must be tested 
and/or replaced after a decade. Fast-
response sprinklers should be tested 
after 20 years (and subsequently, within 
or after a 10-year time interval).
Standard sprinklers must be tested after 
50 years and then after the succeeding 
10-year interludes.
As you can see, fire sprinkler systems are 
integral to the safety outlines of 
numerous residential and corporate 
structures. Therefore, every individual 
must ensure to get their system inspected
and tested on a regular basis.
Qualified personnel and technicians must be approached to conduct the tasks. They 
could efficiently and frequently monitor, re-equip, and improve the functioning of the 
fire sprinkler system.
Here at Mill Brook Fire Protection, we can provide you with such exceptional services 
in order to maintain your fire sprinkler system. Contact us at 
www.millbrookfireprotection.com for further information.