Coordinating NFPA 25 & 72Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance

Requirements

1

Fire Code References• All building and fire codes used in the US list

when and where sprinklers and alarms arerequired

• Codes also require interconnection of thesesystems

2

Fire Code References• Fire and Building Codes are adopted by

administrative laws(Municipal Code of Chicago, Chicago City Council)

• Fire and Building Codes reference the ITMstandards

• Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance standards(NFPA 25 & 72) list ITM tasks and frequencies

3

Purpose of Inspection, Testing,& Maintenance

4

Purpose of ITM• Purpose is similar between NFPA 25 & 72

• Helps ensure reliability

• Not designed to address every possibleproblem

5

Purpose of NFPA 25

“…ensure a reasonabledegree of protection forlife and property from firethrough minimuminspection, testing, andmaintenance…”

6

Purpose of ITM - NFPA 72®-2013• 14.2.1.3* The purpose for periodic inspections

is to assure that obvious damages or changesthat might affect the system operability arevisually identified.

• 14.2.1.4* The purpose for periodic testing isto statistically assure operational reliability.

7

Scope• The purpose of ITM may be similar, the scope

of the documents is not

• NFPA 25 focus in on wear and tear

• NFPA 72 covers application, installation,location, performance, as well as ITM

8

Scope Differences• NFPA 72 Table 14.3.1 – Visual inspection of all

equipment:– Ensure there are no changes that affect equipment

performance. Inspect for building modifications,occupancy changes, changes in environmentalconditions, device location, physical obstructions,device orientation, physical damage, and degreeof cleanliness.

9

Scope Differences• NFPA 25 section 1.1.3.1:

– This standard does not require the inspector toverify the adequacy of the design of the system.

10

Technician Qualification

11

ITM Stakeholders• There are 3 stakeholders in the ITM process

– Owner– Contractor /Technician– AHJ

• Roles & responsibilitiesoutlined by the standards

• Both assign ITM responsibility to owners

INFORMATION

12

Qualified• Both NFPA 25 & 72 require that whoever does

the work be qualified.

• Both standards allowqualified buildingmaintenance personnelto perform certainfunctions

13

Qualified• Same definition on both NFPA 25 & 72

– A competent and capable person or company thathas met the requirements and training for a givenfield acceptable to the authority havingjurisdiction.

14

Overview of ITM Requirements

15

NFPA 25 Summary Tables• Each system chapter has “summary tables”

outlining ITM frequencies

• Tables are good reference but be sure to readthe sections that are referenced

16

NFPA 25 Summary Tables

17

NFPA 72 Table 14.4.3.2

18

Frequency• The presence of supervision effects the

frequency of many inspections/testsin NFPA 25

19

NFPA 72 - Water Flow Devices

• Inspection– Quarterly

• Testing– Semiannually– Water shall be flowed

through an inspector’s testconnection indicating theflow of water equal to thatfrom a single sprinkler of thesmallest orifice size in thesystem [wet pipe], or analarm test bypass connection[dry pipe].

20

NFPA 25 - Water Flow Devices

• Inspection– Quarterly

• Testing– Semiannually– Water shall be flowed

through an inspector’s testconnection indicating theflow of water equal to thatfrom a single sprinkler of thesmallest orifice size in thesystem [wet pipe], or analarm test bypass connection[dry pipe].

21

NFPA 72 - Valve Supervisory Switch

• Inspection– Quarterly

• Testing– Annually– Operate valve and verify

signal receipt to bewithin the first tworevolutions of the wheelor within one-fifth of thetravel distance.

22

NFPA 25 - Valve Supervisory Switch

• Inspection– Quarterly

• Testing– Semi-annually– Operate valve and verify

signal receipt to bewithin the first tworevolutions of the wheelor within one-fifth of thetravel distance.

23

Coordination Requirementsfrom NFPA 72 & 25

24

Coordination• The ITM of many systems require coordination

of trades– Deluge– Preaction– Others

25

Coordination• Chicago Fire Code Requirements• FIRE ALARMS• (Prior code § 91-113.1; Amend Coun. J. 6-27-90, p. 17610)• 15-16-1360 Tests.• Each alarm-sending station shall be tested at least once each month. Every standard fire alarm system

shall be tested at least once a year. This test shall include the operation of all alarm-sounding devices andconnections to city fire alarm boxes where such a connection is required by this Code.

• SPRINKLER SYSTEMS• 15-16-260 System tests.• Upon completion of the installation of a standard sprinkler system an acceptance test shall be performed

by the installing contractor.• All portions of each system shall be tested for two hours at a cold water pressure of not less than 200

pounds per square inch if the normal pressure in the system does not exceed 150 pounds per square inchor at a pressure of not less than 50 pounds per square inch above the normal pressure, if such normalpressure is more than 150 pounds per square inch. Interior piping shall show no leaks. Underground pipingshall show a leakage rate not greater than two quarts per hour per 100 gaskets or joints irrespective ofpipe diameter.

• Dry pipe systems, if tested during seasons of the year which will not permit the use of water, may betested with air under a pressure of not less than 50 pounds per square inch.

26

Coordination• Chicago Fire Code Requirements• STANDPIPES• 15-16-1170 Inspection.• It shall be the duty of the fire commissioner to cause an inspection to be made of all standpipe systems

at least once every year by an independent contractor licensed under the Illinois Fire Sprinkler ContractorLicensing Act. Such inspections shall be schedule with, and may be overseen by or in the presence of, thefire commissioner.

• FIRE PUMPS• 15-16-1150 Test method.• 15-16-1160 Annual test required.• An annual test shall be made of each fire pump during which time water shall be discharged from the

highest hose outlet of each riser. At least one riser shall be flowed for five minutes. Each fire pump shalldeliver its rated capacity at its rated pressure through a test manifold or wall hydrant for a period of atleast ten minutes. All such tests shall be performed by an independent contractor licensed under theIllinois Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing

• 15-16-1170 Inspection.• It shall be the duty of the fire commissioner to cause an inspection to be made of all standpipe systems

at least once every year by an independent contractor licensed under the Illinois Fire Sprinkler ContractorLicensing Act

27

NFPA 25• 1.1.1 Coordination with NFPA 72 Testing

Requirements. This standard does not addressall of the inspection, testing, and maintenanceof the electrical components of the automaticfire detection equipment used to activatepreaction and deluge systems that areaddressed by NFPA 72, National Fire Alarmand Signaling Code.

28

NFPA 25• 1.1.1.1 The inspection, testing, and maintenance

required by this standard and NFPA 72, National FireAlarm and Signaling Code, shall be coordinated sothat the system operates as intended.

• 1.1.1.2* All inspections, testing, and maintenancerequired by NFPA 72 shall conform to NFPA 72, andall inspections, testing, and maintenance required bythis standard shall conform to this standard.

29

Notification• Both standards require notification of system

shutdown– Before and after

• NFPA 72 - 14.2.4• NFPA 25 - 4.1.4

• Document these notifications in reports

30

Report Requirements

31

Test Plan• NFPA 72®-2013 Section 7.6

– 7.6.1 Test plan documentation shall be provided inaccordance with 14.2.10.

– 7.6.2 Acceptance testing documentation shall be providedin accordance with 14.6.1.

– 7.6.3 Reacceptance testing documentation shall beprovided in accordance with 14.6.1.

– 7.6.4 Periodic inspection and testing documentation shallbe provided in accordance with 14.6.2 through 14.6.4

– 7.6.5 Impairment documentation shall be provided inaccordance with 10.21.

32

NFPA 72 - Ch. 7 - ITM Records

33

NFPA 25 Documentation• ITM reports are the

primary source ofinformation about thecondition of the system

• No specific form required

• Other documentation isalso required

34

NFPA 25 Documentation• ITM Reports must contain (per NFPA 25-2014

section 4.3.2):1. The procedure/activity performed2. The organization that performed the activity3. The required frequency of the activity4. The results and date5. The name and contact info of the qualified

contractor or owner, including lead person forthe activity

35

Coordinating NFPA 25 & NFPA 72 ITM Requirements

q Hosted by Siemens

q Facilitated by the National Fire SprinklerAssociation (NFSA) and the AutomaticFire Alarm Association (AFAA)

q Attendees receive a Certificate ofAttendance, which can be usedfor CEUs and CPDs.

q No cost

q Event date and location TBD

q Send an email to John Brill, SiemensMidwest Area Service Sales Manager,to receive an invitation:John.Brill@Siemens.com

Thank YouPresented byDan Finnegan

daniel.finnegan@siemens.com

Executive ProducersJason Webb-National Fire Sprinkler Association

Art Black- Automatic Fire Alarm Association

PLEASE CONTACTJOHN BRILL847-212-5508

John.brill@siemens.com