Dry pipe valve inspections are required on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, three-year and five-year basis.  Click the link below to download the NFPA regulations for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire sprinkler systems.

Download NFPA Regulations [PDF]

In accordance to NFPA 25 regulations, the following periodic procedures are performed by Falcon Fire Sprinkler Company when the dry system is inspected.

WEEKLY

1. Drain drum drips or condensations drain and document of work performed.
    
2. Inspect gauges to ensure they are in good condition and normal air and water pressures are being maintained.  If gauges are not functioning properly, they are replaced.

MONTHLY

1. Drain all drum drips or condensation drain and document of work performed.
    
2. Inspect control valve(s) to ensure they are:

1. in the proper open or closed position
2. properly sealed, locked or supervised
3. accessible
4. provided with appropriate wrenches
5. free of external leaks
6. free of external corrosion
7. provided with appropriate identification

3. Inspect the alarm valve exterior to ensure:

1. the gauges indicate normal supply pressure
2. valve is free of physical damage
3. the proper open or closed position
4. in the proper open or closed position
5. there is no leakage from the retarding chamber or alarm drains

4. Inspect the alarm pipe valve external settings to verify the following:

1. alarm valve is free of physical damage
2. all trim valves are in the appropriate open or closed position
3. there is no leakage from the intermediate chamber

QUARTERLY

1. Drain all drum drips or condensation drain and document the work performed.
    
2. Inspect alarm devices to verify they are free of physical damage.
    
3. Inspect the hydraulic nameplate to verify it is attached securely to the riser and is legible.
    
4. Inspect the pressure regulating control valves to verify:

1. in the open position
2. not leaking
3. maintaining downstream pressure in accordance with design criteria
4. in good condition with hand wheels installed and unbroken

5. Inspect the pressure regulating control valves to verify:

1. in the open position
2. not leaking
3. maintaining downstream pressure in accordance with design criteria
4. in good condition with hand wheels installed and not broken

6. Perform the main drain test at each system riser to determine if there has been a change in the condition of water supply piping and control valves.
    
7. Fire department connections are inspected to verify the following:

1. connections are visible and accessible
2. couplings or swivels are not damaged and rotate smoothly
3. plugs or caps are in place and not damaged
4. gaskets are in place and in good condition
5. identification signs are in place
6. the automatic drain valve is in place and operating properly

8. Priming water in dry pipe valve is checked to make sure it is at the appropriate level.
    
9. Air compressor is checked that it is functioning properly.  The air compressor is drained of any excess water due to condensation. 

ANNUALLY

1. Drain all drum drips or condensation drain and document the work performed.
    
2. All sprinkler heads are inspected to verify they are free of corrosion, foreign materials, paint, and physical damage.  They are also checked to make sure they are installed in the proper orientation.
    
3. Piping and fittings are inspected to ensure they are in good condition and free of mechanical damage, leakage, corrosion, and misalignment.  Sprinkler piping is inspected to make sure they are not subject to external loads.
    
4. Hangers and seismic bracing are inspected to verify they are in good condition.
    
5. The spare head box is inspected that it contains the following: the proper number and type of sprinklers present on the premises, and a sprinkler wrench for each type of sprinkler head.
    
6. Every control valve is operated through its full range and returned to its normal position.  They are lubricated if necessary.
    
7. Flow test is conducted on each dry pipe valve and compared to previous test results if available.
    
8. A partial flow trip test is performed, unless it is the third year.  In this instance, a full flow trip test is performed.
    
9. Interior of the dry pipe valve is inspected after the trip test is performed.
    
10. Obstruction investigation where maintenance or repair requires the replacement of sprinkler system components affecting more than twenty sprinklers.
     
11. Air compressor is checked that it is functioning properly.  The air compressor is drained of any excess water due to condensation.

THREE-YEAR TESTING

An annual inspection as well as a full flow trip test of dry pipe valve in accordance to NFPA 25 regulations.

FIVE-YEAR INSPECTION & TESTING

1. Annual inspection.
    
2. Gauges are tested and/or replaced.
    
3. Extra high temperature sprinklers (> 325 degrees) are replaced.
    
4. Internal inspection of alarm valve.

Automatic fire sprinkler systems have demonstrated to provide the best protection against loss of life and property in the event of a fire.   They protect from the onset of a fire, by responding to heat.  As the automatic fire sprinkler system is activated, an alarm is sounded to alert the building occupants and the fire department (if monitored).  There has never been a multiple loss of life from fire in a fully sprinkled building.

The authority having jurisdiction (local Fire Marshal) may at sometime request a copy of your fire sprinkler inspection report or reports.  If you cannot find the copy we gave you upon completion of our inspection, you may retrieve it on-line.  As an added benefit being our customer, you have access to view or print the completed inspection report or reports forty-eight hours after Falcon Fire Sprinkler has performed the service.  The documents are protected by encrypted username and password protection.

Need to arrange an inspection?  Call us today for advice about your system's inspection requirements, and to arrange for an inspection specialist to visit your property.  To discuss individual or special inspection packages, call one of our representatives at (816) 734-0018, or contact us on-line.

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