Healthcare Solutions

Fire alarm systems require semi-annual or annual inspection. Specific components follow their own testing intervals:

• Smoke and duct detector sensitivity testing (Tru-Test or panel printout): every 2 years (NFPA 72-2010; 14.4.5)
• VESDA (air-sampling smoke detection) systems: annually (NFPA 72-2010)
• Elevators equipped with fire fighter service (elevator recall): monthly (NFPA 101-2012; 9.4.6.2)

Fire sprinkler systems, including wet, dry, pre-action, deluge, anti-freeze loop, standpipe, foam, Protectowire, fire pump, and backflow (domestic and fireline) systems, are inspected on a schedule ranging from monthly to every 5 years, per NFPA 25-2011:

• Control valves, alarm valves, check valves, PA valves, deluge valves, and PIVs: monthly (13.3.2.1.1)
• Gauges: monthly (13.2.7.1)
• Fire pump churn test: weekly for diesel pumps, monthly for electric pumps (8.3.1)
• 2½″ hose connection valve test: annually (13.5.6.2.1)
• 1½″ hose connection valve test: every 3 years (13.5.6.2.2)
• Pre-action system air-leakage test: every 3 years; dry pipe full trip test every 3 years, partial trip annually (13.4.3.2.6 / 13.4.4.2.2.2)
• 5-year internal pipe inspection, including check valves and full gauge replacement: every 5 years (14.2.1)
• Private fire hydrants, functional test: annually (7.3.2)
• Private fire hydrants, full inspection: every 5 years (7.3.1)
• Standpipe flow test: every 5 years (6.3.1)

Per NFPA 10-2010, portable fire extinguishers require a monthly visual inspection (7.2.1.2) and a more thorough annual inspection (7.3.1.1.1).

Per NFPA 101-2012, emergency lighting and exit signs required for egress need a monthly functional test with a 30-second battery-backup check (7.9.3.1.1(1)) and an annual functional test that includes a 90- minute burn test (7.9.3.1.1(3)). Fixtures without battery backup require a monthly visual inspection instead of the functional test.

Fire dampers, smoke dampers, and combination fire/smoke dampers follow different testing requirements based on how each is activated:

• Fire dampers close using a fusible link that melts at a set temperature and are typically not connected to the fire alarm system. They are tested 1 year after installation, then every 4 years thereafter, or every 6 years in hospitals (NFPA 80-2010, Section 19.4.1 / 19.4.1.1).
• Smoke dampers and fire/smoke dampers are motorized and activated by a duct smoke detector tied into the fire alarm system. The damper itself follows the same 1-year, then 4-year (6-year in hospitals) test cycle (NFPA 105-2010).
• The duct smoke detector that activates a smoke or fire/smoke damper is tested separately and annually, as part of the fire alarm system (NFPA 72-2010).

Fire doors require an annual test covering 13 inspection points, per NFPA 101-2012 (7.2.1.15.2) and NFPA 80-2010 (5.2.1).

Alternative suppression systems each follow their own NFPA-specified schedule:

• Kitchen hood systems: monthly inspection (NFPA 17A-2009; 7.2.1), semi-annual test (17A-2009; 7.3.3)
• CO2 systems: monthly inspection (NFPA 12-2011; 4.8.1), semi-annual tank weigh (12-2011; 4.8.3.5.1), annual test (12-2011; 4.8.3.2)
• Clean agent systems: semi-annual inspection (NFPA 2001-2012; 7.1.3), annual test (2001-2012; 7.1.1), annual room enclosure / fan door test (2001-2012; 7.4)
• Fireproofing: inspected as needed

The connection to central station alarm monitoring is tested annually per NFPA 72 (2010), 14.4.5, Table 14.4.5(9). MWAS operates a UL-listed, Five Diamond, FM-approved central station that monitors around the clock.