Article by Stephanie Hayes – Customer Accounts Specialist –

Every year you should have your annual sprinkler inspection performed to meet the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and/or your insurance company.  This inspection includes a visual inspection from the floor of the exposed sprinkler heads and piping along with testing all mechanical devices for functionality in the event of a fire.

Did you know that there still can be other issues developing on the inside of your sprinkler system that an annual inspection can’t always detect and could impair your system from working properly?   In your “Wet” sprinkler system you have water constantly sitting in steel pipes which could cause rust and corrosion to develop.  Even if you have a “Dry” system where air is holding back the water, condensation can still cause rust and corrosion.  

Per NFPA 25, every 5 years you should have an internal inspection/obstruction investigation completed.  Each municipality has their own mandates for this inspection.  For example, in the City of Philadelphia, this inspection is mandated to take place on years ending in “0” and “5”. 

This inspection looks at the condition of the inside of your piping.  When looking at the inside of your piping you are looking for corrosion, rust , sediment, debris, or anything that could disrupt the water flow through the pipes and sprinkler heads. 

Unfortunately, there have been many incidents where the build-up in the sprinkler pipe has caused the sprinkler system to not allow water to the sprinkler head causing major damage and loss of life. 

Oliver Fire Protection & Security can complete this service for you and provide guidance on what to do next if there is build up in your system(s).