The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires that all fire protection systems be inspected, tested and maintained periodically in order to ensure a reasonable degree of protection of life and property from fire. It is your responsibility to perform all other periodical inspections and testing of the fire sprinkler system. An “Annual Test” will provide you with preventive maintenance instead of costly major repairs. Most building owners find out of these repairs when a “Five Year Test” is performed on the sprinkler system and they realize the lack of maintenance over a long period of time.
Inspections should be performed to NFPA-25, 14, 72, 80, California Fire Code, Regulations 4, Title 19 & Local Fire Department requirements. An annual test is very simple and there are no contracts to sign. You choose the date at your convenience. At the end of every inspection, you authorize the next scheduled inspection.
Steps You Need to Take: Title 19 and Regulation 4 Testing
Once you have received the notice of violation from your local fire department or authorities, you should call a licensed company regarding your testing requirements or violations. They will ask you to fax or email your notice of violation. A Certified Tester will call you or to review your violations and will usually give you an over the phone quote or if the situation permits, will come to your location. If you agree with the services they will send a proposal and then schedule a testing date. After testing, they will prepare a report for you and the Fire Department. If there are any defects, the company will provide you with a quote. All defects or repairs are required to be fixed with in 30 days of inspection. Once everything is complete, the system is certified and reported to the city Fire Department.
Fire Extinguishers Inspection and Placement
Fire Extinguishers must be hung every 75 feet on each floor in each direction. Depending on the configuration of the building, there may also be a requirement to have additional extinguishers. A Certified Technician can determine how many extinguishers are needed in buildings with multiple hallways. Extinguishers must also be present in elevator mechanical rooms as well as parking garages. Fire extinguishers must be inspected and tagged each year by a certified company.
The above article was written by CV Fire Protection, Inc. For over 25 years CV Fire Protection, Inc. has been meeting the needs of the small and large apartment owners and management companies. For a free phone quote please call 818-541-9294.