Life Safety Inspection Schedule

Fire and life safety systems are critical components of all buildings, and it's imperative that they're correctly maintained so they work in the case of an emergency. To provide a high level of protection, fire and life safety systems need to be inspected per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) code inspection schedule by trained professionals. 

Inspections are designed to help identify problems—or deficiencies—with systems so that they can be fixed before an emergency. Without the inspections, the deficiencies may stay hidden and not be addressed. 

At PSI, our factory-trained and NICET-certified technicians provide comprehensive fire and life safety services—monitoring, testing and inspecting, system maintenance, installations, and code compliance consultations—all under one agreement. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Inspection schedules vary for each fire and life safety system. They can range from daily and monthly to annual and 5-year cycles.  Let’s take a look at the NFPA codes and the service timeline for each life safety system.  

CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR NFPA 72 FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS (TEST & VISUAL INSPECTIONS)

• Control Equipment:
  • Functions, Fuses, Interface Equipment, Lamps, LEDs, Primary Power Supply, Transponders
• Control Unit Trouble Signs
• Battery Load Test
• Emergency Voice / Alarm Communications [EVAC]
• Elevator Recall
• Initiating Devices
  • All Smoke Detectors
  • Duct Smoke Detectors
  • Electromechanical Releasing Devices
  • Fire Extinguishing System(s) or Suppression System(s) Switches
  • Fire Alarm Boxes (Pull Stations)
  • Fire - Gas and other Detectors
  • Heat Detectors
• Interface Equipment
• Notification Devices
  
  • Audible Devices
  • Audible Textual Notification Appliances
  • Visible Devices
• Remote Power Supplies / Boosters
• Remote Annunciators
• Special Hazard Equipment
• Supervising Signal Devices:
  • Tamper / Waterflow
• Transmitters / Communicators
  • DACT, DART
• Wireless Repeaters

• Control Equipment:
  • Functions, Fuses, Interface Equipment, Lamps, LEDs, Primary Power Supply, Transponders
• Control Unit Trouble Signs
• Battery Load Test
• Interface Equipment
• Supervising Signal Devices:
  • Tamper / Waterflow

CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR NFPA 101 EMERGENCY & EXIT LIGHTING

• 90 Minute drain “burn” test and inspection, verification of charge voltage, alignment of heads, hazard assessment, inspection sticker, required paperwork

• Functional Test

CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR NFPA 10 FIRE EXTINGUISHER

• Hydrostatic testing of Carbon Dioxide, wet chemical, and foam
• Dry System Air Leakage
• Hydrostatic testing of cartridges associated with portable fire extinguishers and wheeled units
• Hydrostatic testing of carbon dioxide hoses equipped with a shut-off valve

• Conductivity test of all carbon dioxide hose assemblies.
• Ensure in proper operating condition
• Safety seals, tags, pressure gauge reading, HMIS table.
• Empty and recharge all stored pressure-loaded stream fire extinguishers

• Ensure in proper operating condition.
• Safety seals, tags, pressure gauge readings, HMIS Label

CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR NFPA 80/82 TRASH CHUTES

• Fusible Link Replacement

CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR NFPA 25 WATER-BASED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS (TESTING)

• Fire Department Connection Backflush [FDC]
• Fire Hoses
  • Hydrostatic Test or Replacement
• Outside Stem & Yoke Valves [OSY]
• Private Fire Mains Service (Hydrant Flow Test)
• Post Indicator Valves [PIV]
• Risers
  • Check Valves
  • Control Valves
  • Main Drain Flow: Drain & Refill All Risers
  • Supervisory Alarms:
    • Tamper Switches / Water Flow Switches
    • Pressure Gauges
• Standpipes - Full Flow Test Remote Point
  • Cap & Gauge Each Valve
  • Dry Standpipes: Air Pressure
  • Wet Standpipes: Air Pressure & Waterflow
• Valves / Valve Components

• Fire Department Connection Backflush [FDC]
• Outside Stem & Yoke Valves [OSY]
• Private Fire Mains Service (Hydrant Flow Test)
• Post Indicator Valves [PIV]
• Risers
  • Control Valves
  • Main Drain Flow: Drain & Refill All Risers
  • Supervisory Alarms:
  • Tamper Switches / Water Flow Switches
  • Pressure Gauges
• Valves / Valve Components

• Risers
  • Supervisory Alarms:
    • Tamper Switches / Water Flow Switches

CODE REQUIREMENT FOR NFPA 25 WATER-BASED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS (VISUAL INSPECTIONS)

• Alarm Devices / Control Valves
• Backflow Prevention Assemblies
• Gauges
  • Wet / Dry / Pre-Action / Deluge Systems
• Hose Connections / Hose Valves / Hose Nozzles
• Hose Cabinets / Hose Racks / Hoses
• Hangers / Seismic Bracing
• Interior Check Valves
• Interior Alarm
  • Dry / Deluge / Pre-Action Valves
• Internal Piping Obstruction Investigation (Camera)
• Main Line Strainers
• Piping and Fittings (Visual Inspection from Floor)
• Pressure Reducing and Relief Valves
• Private Fire Mains (Hydrants)
• Spare Sprinklers (Stock Box)
• Sprinklers (Visual Inspection from Floor)
• Standpipes
• Strainers / Filters / Orifices
• Switches
  • Tamper / Water Flow
• Valves / Valve Components / Trim Inspections

• Backflow Prevention Assemblies
• Hangers / Seismic Bracing
• Interior Alarm
  • Dry / Deluge / Pre-Action Valves
• Pressure Reducing and Relief Valves
• Piping and Fittings (Visual Inspection from Floor)
• Private Fire Mains (Hydrants)
• Spare Sprinklers (Stock Box)
• Sprinklers (Visual Inspection from Floor)

• Alarm Devices / Control Valves
• Gauges
  • Wet / Dry / Pre-Action / Deluge Systems
• Hose Connections / Hose Valves / Hose Nozzles
• Hose Cabinets / Hose Racks / Hoses
• Standpipes
• Switches
  • Tamper / Water Flow
• Valves / Valve Components / Trim Inspections

• Valves / Valve Components / Trim Inspections

At PSI, we’re committed to keeping your facilities safe. To learn more about the testing and inspection schedule or to schedule your free consultation, contact PSI today.