Inspection and Testing of Automatic
Sprinkler Systems
Technical Guidance October 2012
Property Risk Management
In basic terms, this means taking measures to ensure that in
the event of a fire, there will be an uninterrupted, adequate flow
of water from the water supply source through to the sprinkler
heads.
Sprinkler system inspection/testing: the key
to ensuring your facility’s sprinkler system,
will operate reliably when called upon
For such routines to work effectively, they should:
� Be fully supported by senior management
� Incorporate formal, recorded checks of important
elements of the system as outlined below
� Be undertaken by personnel who are well trained, fully
motivated and appreciative of importance of the routines
� Incorporate a comparison of the test data captured with
previous records (or original test data) to help identify
any abnormal conditions and hence prompt further
investigation
� Be subject to regular management audit to confirm they
For a sprinkler system continue to be undertaken diligently.
What are the key elements of a sprinkler
to operate effectively system that need to be regularly
it needs to be not only inspected/tested?
Sprinkler Control Valves
adequately designed and These valves are used to control the flow of water throughout
installed but also have an the system and to isolate elements for maintenance or system
modification. Should a valve that is normally maintained in
ongoing programme of the open position be closed, then the area in question would
effectively be unprotected. Reasons for a valve being left in the
inspection and testing to closed position could include forgetting to reopen it following
maintenance / modification / repair works, being closed in error
make sure it operates in or with malicious intent. Unless the valve is fitted with a tamper
switch (a device that gives an alarm if the valve is turned), there
a reliable manner when would be nothing to alert personnel to the situation – and without
regular checks that would pick this up, the valve could remain
called upon. improperly closed indefinitely.
3988/QBETechnicalGuide/Inspection&TestingAutoSprinklerSystem/Oct2012
• On a weekly basis, all valves that control the flow of water • On a weekly basis, as prompted by the QBE sprinkler system
to various parts of the sprinkler system should be inspected test card, the water flow alarms should be tested by flowing
to ensure that they remain secured in the fully open position water through the test line at the system riser or remote test
by metal chains or leather straps. If there is a history of point of the system. The time taken the alarm to sound should
improperly closed valves, sturdy metal chains should be used. be recorded as should the system pressure at the ‘C’ gauge,
The checks should include valves on/at: before and after the test
-- System risers • In addition, the functionality of remote signalling should
be confirmed.
-- Distribution mains (divisional valves)
-- “Tail end” systems Water Supplies
-- The suction and discharge side of fire pumps On a well arranged sprinkler system, the water supply delivers
water at the required flow and pressure required by the sprinklers
-- Suction lines from storage tanks
to achieve fire control. Testing of the supply is needed both to
-- Infill lines to tanks / reservoirs verify that it will be available (and activate) when called upon,
-- Connections to town’s main or other central and also to verify that the strength of the supply remains at the
water supplies. required level.
The QBE Sprinkler System and Water Supply test record cards There are a number of different water supplies that commonly
can be used to prompt and document these checks. feed sprinkler systems – these include:
On a six monthly basis, the valves should be fully exercised • Connection to town’s mains
to verify they are operable. On the same frequency, any valve • Connections to town’s mains in conjunction with a
tamper switches should be tested. booster pump
• Fire pump(s) taking suction from suction tank(s) or other
System Alarms
stored water supplies (eg. reservoir, river, canal etc)
Sprinkler system alarms alert personnel that water is flowing
• Connection to gravity tank (rare in UK).
through a part of the system. These generally comprise a local
water motor driven gong and an electronic pressure / flow switch
which transmits a signal to a remote location.
3988/QBETechnicalGuide/Inspection&TestingAutoSprinklerSystem/Sept2012
Important tests associated with water supplies include And on an annual basis......
the following:
• Pumps and drivers should be serviced by a specialist
contractor
Town’s Main Supply
• The “fail to start” alarm should be tested.
• Each week the static pressure on the incoming supply should
be recorded
Every three years.....
• The town’s mains supply should be subject to a pressure and
• Foot valves associated with pump sets taking suction under
flow test on a quarterly basis to verify the maximum system
lift should be serviced.
demands continue to be met and to identify any deterioration
in the supply.
Suction Tank(s)
Fire Pumps
• Each week, as part of the water supply checks, it should be
Fire pump sets typically comprise a pump, either an electric verified that all tanks are full
motor or diesel engine driver, and a controller. In the event of a
• On an annual frequency, the float valve on the infill to the tank
pressure drop in the sprinkler system (as would occur in the event
should be checked for functionality
of a sprinkler head activating), this would be picked up by the
controller, which would then start the pump driver. If this fails to • The frequency of inspection of suction tanks for signs of
happen, then there will be no water supply to the system. corrosion etc is dependent upon the design life of the
tank in question. Refer to LPCB Technical Bulletin 203
• This functionality should be verified for each pump on for further information.
a weekly basis (ie each pump set should be started
automatically upon pressure drop) Open Water Sources
• Manual starting functionality should also be checked weekly • Each week, visually inspect the suction screens on the suction
intake to make sure they are clear of obstructions / debris.
• To verify the satisfactory condition of the pumpset on an on-
Also verify the level of the supply
going basis, each week electric fire pumps should be run for
a minimum of 10 minutes and diesel pump sets for not less • Once a year, the screens should be removed and inspected
than 20 minutes. As part of this test, the pump start pressures and cleaned as required. The frequency should be increased
and running pressure should be recorded as necessary, with particular attention given around the
autumn to winter period. Additional checks should be made
• On electric pump sets, the ammeter reading should
following periods of stormy weather. Intake chambers/
be recorded
jackwells etc should be inspected on a similar frequency and
• On diesel pumps, weekly checks need to be made to verify cleaned out as required.
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily, the
fuel supply is topped up, the engine oil level is okay and the Additional Considerations
battery sets are in good condition
Dry Alternate valves and systems
• Other weekly checks associated with pump sets include
Where sprinklers are arranged on “dry” pipework, there is an
verification that the pump house is secure and that its
obvious reliance that in the event of a fire, the valve separating
temperature is maintained above 10 deg C. Also, that the
the water supply from the dry pipework, “trips” in a prompt and
alarms associated with the pump(s) are functional. (eg. supply
reliable manner when called upon. Lengthy delays in operation
health, pump on demand, fire in pumphouse).
of the valve could allow a fire to grow unchecked in its early
stages. Worst still, if the valve fails to “trip”, the affected area
The above checks are prompted by QBE’s water supply test
would effectively be unsprinklered. Because of the “wet/dry”
record card, and can be recorded on the same document.
environment they operate in, over time, equipment is more
prone to internal corrosion, which can compromise the system’s
In addition, on a six monthly basis....
functionality and effectiveness.
• The performance of each fire pump should be verified by flow
testing. Any signs of deterioration in performance should be • On an annual basis, each dry pipe valve should be trip tested.
investigated and necessary repairs instigated Trip tests can be either “full” (preferred) or “partial”
• When pumps are arranged to take suction under lift, low -- Partial trip testing involves firstly recording air
water level switches on the priming arrangement should be and water pressure. Then, with the water control
checked for functionality (these should be arranged to start valve nearly fully closed, open the inspectors test
the pump upon activation). connection to exhaust the air. Record the time and air
pressure at which the system trips and compare to
previous tests. If the time has increased, investigate
and fix the deficiency
3988/QBETechnicalGuide/Inspection&TestingAutoSprinklerSystem/Sept2012
-- Full flow trip testing is undertaken in the same manner Guidance and useful information
as the annual partial flow trip test, but with the water
control valve fully open. Compare the results with • BS EN 12845
previous full flow trip times. Ensure that the valve trips
and water arrives at the inspectors test connection • LPCB TB203 Care and Maintenance of automatic sprinkler
within 60 seconds. Observe condition of the water. systems
Conduct a flushing investigation if scale or debris • QBE Sprinkler System test record card
sufficient to clog a sprinkler is evident.
• QBE Water Supply Test Record Card
In addition, on a weekly basis: • QBE Fire Control Impairment Toolkit.
• Checks should be made to verify that sections of pipework For further guidance and general enquiries contact:
intended to be “dry”, are in fact “dry”. Also that accelerator / RMProperty@[Link]
exhauster arrangements are “active”
• System air and water pressures should be checked
and recorded
• Check also, that there is no water column above the dry pipe
valve set(s).
Trace Heating
• Verify that any pipework trace heating system is functional on
a weekly basis.
General
Impairment handling
On occasions, it will be necessary to impair sprinkler protection
to allow for maintenance or system modification works.
When an impairment is planned, or if it occurs accidentally,
precautions must be taken to provide temporary protection,
reduce hazards and ensure prompt reinstatement. The QBE Fire
Control Impairment Notification should be utilised to manage fire
protection impairments.
Scope
The scope of this document essentially covers inspection and
testing routines associated with sprinkler systems. Maintenance
of specific elements of the system and longer term inspection
/ test recommendations should be in accordance with
manufacturer’s / suppliers recommendations and meet the
general requirements outlined in BS EN 12845 and relevant
QBE European Operations
Technical Bulletins.
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tel +44 (0)20 7105 4000
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Disclaimer
This publication has been produced by QBE Insurance (Europe) Ltd (“QIEL”). QIEL is a company member of the QBE
Insurance Group. Readership of this publication does not create an insurer-client, or other business or legal relationship.
This publication provides information about the law to help you to understand and manage risk within your organisation. For full
details of the disclaimer surrounding this publication please visit [Link]
3988/QBETechnicalGuide/Inspection&TestingAutoSprinklerSystem/Oct2012
QBE European Operations is a trading name of QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited and QBE Underwriting Limited. QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited and QBE
Underwriting Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. QBE Management Services (UK) Limited and QBE Underwriting Services (UK)
Limited are both Appointed Representatives of QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited and QBE Underwriting Limited.