scope:

This document establishes the minimum requirements for the periodic inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems, including land-based and marine applications. 

Coordination with NFPA 72 Testing Requirements. This standard does not address all of the inspection, testing, and maintenance of the electrical components of the automatic fire detection equipment used to activate preaction and deluge systems that are addressed by NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.

The inspection, testing, and maintenance required by this standard and NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, shall be coordinated so that the system operates as intended.

All inspections, testing, and maintenance required by NFPA 72 shall conform to NFPA 72, and all inspections, testing, and maintenance required by this standard shall conform to this standard.

Types of Systems.

The types of systems addressed by this standard include, but are not limited to, sprinkler, standpipe and hose, fixed water spray, private fire hydrants, water mist, and foam water.

Also included in this standard are water supplies that are part of these systems, such as private fire service mains and appurtenances, fire pumps and water storage tanks, and valves that control system flow.

This standard addresses the operating condition of fire protection systems as well as impairment handling and reporting and applies to fire protection systems that have been properly installed in accordance with generally accepted practice.

This standard does not require the inspector to verify the adequacy of the design of the system.

Corrective action needed to ensure that a system operates in a satisfactory manner shall be in accordance with the appropriate installation standard.

This standard shall not apply to sprinkler systems designed, installed, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two- Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes.

Purpose.

The purpose of this document is to provide requirements that ensure a reasonable degree of protection for life and property from fire through minimum inspection, testing, and maintenance methods for water-based fire protection systems.

In those cases where it is determined that an existing situation involves a distinct hazard to life or property, the authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to require inspection, testing, and maintenance methods in excess of those required by the standard.