Understanding the 5 year internal fire sprinkler inspection NFPA 25

Fire Protection systems are built to save lives and prevent property destruction from fire. If your fire sprinkler system is not properly maintained and inspected, you may find yourself without a working system at the wrong time.

These inspections are meant to be a preventative measure, and ensure there is nothing obstructing water flow in your piping. Slime, rust, corrosion, and other materials may build up in your system over time.

Today we will be talking about the NFPA 25 5 year inspection, testing, and maintenance. One of the requirements and components of this test is the 5-year internal assessment. This 5-year internal pipe inspection is where we visually inspect the fire sprinkler piping for any foreign objects (organic or inorganic) and any evidence of microbiologically influenced corrosion.

If there are multiple systems you may only need to do half of the systems depending on if the other half were done previously and records are available to figure out what they did previously.

According to NFPA 25, there are 3 levels to these pipe inspections.

1. Internal Pipe Inspection – this requires the opening of a flushing connection at the end of one main and removal of one sprinkler head near the end of a branch line. These openings are to be inspected for the “presence of foreign organic and inorganic material.”

2. Internal Pipe Examination for ‘At-Risk’ Systems – NFPA 25 lists conditions in which this type of internal pipe exam is to be performed. This inspection requires internal pipe examinations at the following four points of a fire sprinkler system:

• System valve
• Riser
• Cross main
• Branch line

3. Obstruction Investigation – This is to be performed if “foreign organic or inorganic material” is found during an internal pipe inspection. NFPA 25 provides the requirements to conduct obstruction investigations.

There is a lot more to a 5-year inspection than the "internal" piece. Check valves need to be internally inspected. Water storage tanks may need an internal inspection. Flow testing of underground fire mains, and pressure-reducing valves. Hydrostatic pressure tests, standpipe flow tests, etc. All of these requirements are in NFPA 25.

Legion Fire Protection provides extensive fire sprinkler system inspections including the NFPA 25 5-Year Inspection, testing, and maintenance. We adhere to the rules and regulations under guidelines set by the NFPA, State Fire Marshal, and Public Safety regulations. Contact Legion Fire Protection today to get a quote for fire protection services or ask us about the right fire protection solutions for your property.