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Simplified Requirements

Per the National Fire Code - 2023 Alberta Edition, Water-Based Fire Protection Systems must be maintained in operable condition, and must be inspected and tested in accordance with NFPA 25 - 2017 Edition.  Water-based fire protection systems include sprinkler systems, standpipes, private and municipal hydrants, hose systems, water spray fixed systems, foam-water sprinkler systems, foam-water spray systems, and fire pumps. This standard defines the minimum requirements, but higher standards may be required by your insurer or based on the type of facility.

Quarterly

A short inspection is required every three months on certain components of the system, including Pressure Gauges, Water-flow Devices, and Supervisory Devices.  While required by the Fire Code, this is not frequently enforced by local authorities on a pro-active basis; However a post incident investigation will normally ask for records of these checks and failure to complete them may affect liability in the event of a system failure.

Yearly

Once a year all components of the system need to be inspected and tested.  In addition to the items checked quarterly, this includes a visual inspection of the entire system from ground level, so access to the entire protected area of the building is required.  It also includes checking all gauges, fittings, valves, anti-freeze, drains, fire department hookups, spare heads & wrenches, and data plates.  The Backflow Preventor device should also be checked at the same time, as required by Water Utilities(EPCOR).  Depending on the size and complexity of the system, this can take anywhere from an hour to several days.  Most commercial buildings can be completed in a day or less.  Large residential buildings can take a couple days when it is necessary to access several hundred suites.  Some particularly complex industrial sites could take longer.  Most annual inspections will require only one technician, and are billed hourly.  As every system is different, the best way to obtain an estimate for the cost of an inspection is to provide us with a previous inspection report, along with the size(sq ft) of the building and approximate allocation of space(office/warehouse/shop/apartments/etc).

Non-Annual

In addition the the regular annual inspection and maintenance, additional work may be needed on a 3 or 5 year basis depending on the type of system.  This includes flow-tests, hydro-static pressure tests, and obstruction investigations.  Most of this maintenance will require two technicians, and take at least half a day.

Preparation

There are a few items the client must do to prepare for an inspection

• Post notice - in a residential building all tenants must be notified 48 hours in advance that an inspection will be taking place.  Access will be required to any suite with a sprinkler head inside.

• Monitoring - most fire alarm systems are monitored by a security service or other monitoring provider.   The job of the monitoring provider is to alert the fire department in the event an alarm is triggered on your system.   Part of the testing on the sprinkler system includes checking for proper communication with the Fire Alarm panel. When performing testing, the monitoring provider needs to be notified, so they do not initiate a fire department response.  The client will need to contact their monitoring provider before beginning, and after completion of testing.

• Access - Technicians will need access to all parts of the building that contain Fire Sprinkler protection.  This includes mechanical rooms, server rooms, and residential suites. Make arrangements to provide technicians with keys or escort as necessary