If you have a building with a fire sprinkler system, a monthly, quarterly or yearly inspection is required to make sure the system is up to code, functioning properly, and will spring into action if a fire breaks out in your building. These inspections should be conducted by a fire safety professional who is certified, knowledgeable, and up to date on all codes and requirements.
How often your system needs to be inspected depends on the type of system you have installed, and local or state fire code and building code regulations. The company that installed your sprinkler system, or another reputable installation and maintenance company in your area such as W&M Fire Protection, can help you determine the right inspection and testing schedule for your system.
When the fire professionals come in for inspection, they will carefully look at things like alarm devices, control valves, pipes, and fittings. They’ll test key components to make sure they’re functioning properly and will proactively repair or replace as needed. Inspections and tests can fit around your schedule to avoid any disruption to your business, and won’t leave a mess behind.
Fire Sprinkler Inspection Tags
When the inspectors are finished, they will leave tags on each riser of your sprinkler system, and on each fire extinguisher. Inspection tags are 7×3.5” in size and coded by colors: green, yellow, orange, or red. The color of the tag indicates the health of the system and is specific to the area in which it’s attached. Here’s what they mean:
- Green tag: System is fully operational
- Yellow tag: Non-critical deficiency, owner notified, 30 days to correct
- Orange tag: Critical deficiency, owner notified, 30 days to correct
- Red tag: Impairment, fire department and owner notified, immediate correction required
A yellow, orange or red tag should have a written description of the problem that repeats the verbal notification given to the building owner.
If you have a single sprinkler system in a standalone building with a single occupant, fire code allows for a single tag on the sprinkler main, instead of tagging each riser (all floors still need to be inspected). If the building has several occupants with risers that provide water to different occupants, each individual riser must be tagged.
To ensure the legitimacy of the tags you receive, make sure they include the following:
- “DO NOT REMOVE BY THE ORDER OF THE FIRE MARSHAL”
- Licensed firm or contractors name, address, phone number, and Fire Marshal license number
- Printed name and Certificate of Fitness number of service person/contractor
- Signature of service person/technician
- Day, month, and year (to be punched)
- Name and address of owner/occupants
- Building address
- Type of Inspection, testing and maintenance (monthly, quarterly, annual or five year)
- Static and flowing pressure of the main drain test taken at the time of inspection, testing and maintenance service that was performed
Quality Fire Sprinkler Inspection and Maintenance
A licensed fire sprinkler inspection and maintenance company such as W&M Fire Protection can help you resolve any issues discovered during your inspection, and make sure your building is in compliance with the notification tags. If your system is marked with red or yellow tags, they can provide service to resolve the issue. Once the problem is resolved, the inspector will replace your tags with current tags that are good for one year.
For more information or to Request a Quote visit W&M Fire Protection. Serving Metro NYC, Long Island and Connecticut. We Protect what YOU Value Most.
