Dry Pipe Fire Sprinkler Systems Inspection Testing Maintenance

An inspection is a visual inspection performed from the ground.

Dry pipe fire sprinkler systems inspection testing maintenance. Since dry sprinklers are more complicated than wet sprinkler systems and regularly exposed to harsh environments extra care is required to maintain reliable fire protection. Dry sprinkler systems protect people and property from fires in areas prone to freezing but this important benefit comes with some strings attached. For foam water sprinkler systems in aircraft hangars refer to the inspection test and maintenance requirements of nfpa 409 table 11 1 1. Systems other than those which have been properly installed are beyond the scope of nfpa 25.

Maintenance intervals other than preventive maintenance are not provided as they depend on the results of the visual inspections and operational tests. These checks include water flow tests fire pump tests antifreeze concentration tests in applicable systems alarm tests and trip tests of dry pipe deluge and pre action valves. During full flow tests dry sprinkler systems don t have to deliver water to the inspector s test connection within the 60 second timeframe generally required by nfpa during a fire. The next article in a series discussing fire sprinkler system inspection testing and maintenance is published in asse fireline.

Dry pipe valves are used in areas subject to freezing temperatures. Specific requirements relating to the inspection testing and maintenance of fire pumps can be found in chapter 8 of nfpa 25. Specific requirements relating to the inspection testing and maintenance of wet and dry pipe fire sp rinkler systems can be found in chapters 5 13 14 and 15 of nfpa 25. An nfpa 25 inspection applies to a properly installed fire sprinkler system only and is the standard for inspecting not for installing.

As part of the minimum inspection testing and maintenance requirements for wet pipe systems and portions of dry pipe systems containing water it is critical to ensure that the piping is protected against freezing conditions.