Maintenances and services are essential in ensuring any fire sprinkler system remains trouble-free and operational. It is a requirement of BS2591:2021 that sprinkler systems should be inspected at least anually and tested by a competent person.
The maintenance for sprinkler systems should cover:
- Inspection of sprinkler system and pipework for leaks
- Inspection of sprinkler heads and cover plates to check for damage, tampering or if the sprinkler head spray pattern has been impeded
- Inspected to determine if any modifications have occured
- Inspection of lagging and trace heating (if required)
- Ensuring valves can be moved freely and reinstated back to the operation position
- Monitoring systems (where fitted) should be checked for correct function and monitoring signals verified and any remote monitoring confirmed for notification
- Carry out a hydraulic flow test to ensure sprinkler system still meets original design criteria
- Alarms should be tested to check they are functioning as needed
- Water storage tanks should be visually inspected for debris and damage, low level alarms should be checked and tank should be internally inspected
- Inspection of sprinkler pump to ensure it still functions effectively, the valves are operational and the switches function
Following any maintenance the system should be reinstasted and the paperwork completed by a competent person. Any serious faults discovered to do with the sprinkler system should be reported to the occupants, owners or the building manager as soon as possible.
After 25 years the sprinklers and pipework should be inspected and tested to ensure the system still functions as needed.