Sprinkler Inspections

Underground Fire line and FDC Inspection & Flush

1. Consult the submitted plans. Plans must be submitted to the Office of the State Fire Marshal for approval.

2. Consult approved plans.

3. Verify:

  • Size of piping
  • Type of piping
  • Depth of piping
  • Proper pipe configuration
  • Thrust blocking
  • Protective wrap of piping (Applies to ductile)
  • Direction changes
  • Location of Backflow Device
  • Proper size of Backflow Device
  • Correct direction of Backflow device
  • Monitored tamper switches installed on OS&Y control valves
  • If above ground vaults, verify heater device installed

4. Remote FDC

  • Verify 5 inch storz cap facing fire lane or public road
  • FDC shall be installed 18 to 48 inches above finished grade
  • Verify three foot diameter clearance around FDC
  • Verify proper signage (Where Required)
    • Ring identifying FDC as either a sprinkler or Standpipe System and working pressure
    • FDC sign – White with minimum 6 inch tall red letters – “FDC”
    • If not obvious as to what building(s) the FDC serves, a durable sign, white with minimum 4 inch red letters shall be installed identifying the building(s) served by FDC
  • Where conditions necessitate, vehicle impact protection shall be provided for remote FDC’s. Protection shall be in accordance with the current adopted edition of the International Fire code

5. Fire Hydrants

  • Fire hydrants shall be provided to meet the fire flow requirements of the building being constructed. Fire hydrants shall be located within 500 feet of all parts of the grade level exterior of a building as measured along the normal routes of fire department vehicle access
  • Verify the pumper nozzle is facing towards the fire lane or public road. The 2 ½ inch nozzles shall be National standard Fire Thread with caps
  • The center of the 5 inch pumper nozzle shall be 18 inches above grade
  • Verify three feet diameter clearance around hydrant
  • Where conditions necessitate, vehicle impact protection shall be provided for hydrants in accordance with the current adopted edition of the International Fire Code

6. Verify all valves fully open Including fire hydrant sectional valves)

7. Observe hydrostatic test of piping at 200 PSI for two (2) hours.

8. Relieve pressure after hydrostatic test and confirm the test gauge returns to zero

9. Observe flushing of all piping until approved to stop

Rough Sprinkler System Piping Inspection

1. Consult submitted plans. Plans must be submitted to the Office of the State Fire Marshal for approval

2. Consult approved drawings

3. Verify:

  • Proper type of piping
  • Backflow device (If installed inside of building) for size, type, and direction
  • Confirm the installation of piping does not have excess change of directions that are not indicated on the submitted plans (Ma effect hydraulic calculations)
  • Proper size of piping
  • Proper hangers and supports with correct spacing as indicated on plans
  • Sway bracing is installed per the approved plans
  • Proper type and temperature of sprinkler heads
  • Proper clearance of sprinkler heads from obstructions
  • Check for correct distances between sprinkler heads, of walls, maximum coverage per sprinkler head, suspended ceilings and distance below roof deck
  • Check for installation of orifice inspectors test (Shall be the same size as the smallest orifice installed in the system)
  • Check to ensure sprinkler heads are not painted (Painted heads must be replaced)
  • All control, auxiliary, and inspector’s test valves shall not be located more than seven (7) feet above the finished floor or grade
  • Minimum 12 x 36 inch access panels shall be provided for all valves located inside walls or concealed spaces. Signage shall be provided on outside of access panels indicating type of valve concealed

4. Observe hydrostatic test of all piping at 200 PSI for two (2) hours

5. Relieve pressure after hydrostatic test and confirm that test gauge returns to zero

6. Verify that all signage is in place (Control valves, inspector’s test, and main drain)

7. Verify that spare sprinkler head cabinet is installed in an area that will not exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and has correct number of spare heads, sprinkler wrench, and NFPA 25 inside

8. Verify the following when FDC is on the building:

  • FDC shall be located along a normal route of vehicle access unless otherwise approved by Spartanburg County and the Local Fire Department
  • Signage for FDC (When Required)
  • FDC sign – White with minimum six (6) inch tall red letters attached to building 7 to 10 feet above grade level directly above the FDC position to be clearly visible from the street as approaching the building. Additional sign of same color and description as necessary to provide clear directions to the location of the FDC (e.g.… FDC in Rear)
  • FDC shall be installed between 18 and 48 inches above finished grade level
  • Verify connection cap facing the street or access road
  • Verify that FDC is not blocked by outside obstructions such as electrical transformers or other utility equipment

Fire Sprinkler Final Inspection

1. Fire sprinkler contractor shall provide the Contractor’s Material and Test Certificate for Aboveground piping for each system installed. Fire sprinkler final will not be conducted without these documents

2. Verify sprinkler system installed per the Office of the State Fire marshal approved drawings

3. Verify the following components are installed and functioning properly:

  • Tamper Switch
  • Water Flow Switch

4. Observe main drain test and verify the residual pressure at the base of the riser meets or exceeds the required system demand pressure listed in the approved hydraulic calculations (Test must flow for at least two (2) minutes)

5. Document static and residual pressures listed on “calc” plate

6. Verify proper signage on riser components:

  • Main Drain
  • Access panels shall be provided for all valves located within concealed spaces. Signage shall be provided on the outside of the panel indicating type of valve that is concealed
  • Control Valve
  • Inspectors Test
  • Hydraulic “calc” plate

7. Verify that spare sprinkler head cabinet is installed in an area that will not exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit and has the correct number of spare heads, wrench, and NFPA 25

8. Verify floor is sealed where riser enters the building

9. Walk through building and observe:

  • Proper placement, type, and temperature of sprinkler heads
  • Sprinkler heads are free of obstructions by building elements such as light fixtures, ceiling fans, exit signs, and decorations
  • Check to ensure sprinkler heads are not painted (Painted heads must be replaced) Check to ensure sprinkler escutcheons are installed properly

10. Observe activation test of the fire alarm notification appliances, including:

  • Electric water flow bell on exterior of building (by water flow through inspector’s test valve). Alarm should activate within 90 seconds of water flow
  • General fire alarm (Water flow through inspector’s test valve)
  • Supervisory alarm panel for:
    • Tamper switches on valves (Indicating a valve is close or partially closed)
    • Air pressure on dry or pre-action systems (Shall not drop below 7 PSI)
    • Fire pump power supply or running conditions
    • Water tank levels and temperature

Sprinkler Inspections (printable version)