Maintenance and Testing of Fire Protection Systems

Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems

Periodic maintenance and a Five Year Service Test are required for sprinkler and standpipe systems per Title 19, Ch. 5. A licensed contractor (C16 license) must perform the service test every five years.

Quarterly maintenance is required for sprinkler systems.

Semi-annual maintenance is required for standpipe systems.

Maintenance forms for Sprinkler Maintenance (PDF: 63K) and Standpipes Maintenance (PDF: 63K) can be downloaded to use.

A license is not required to perform maintenance inspections.

Fire Alarm Systems

A fire alarm system must be tested periodically per NFPA 72 (National Fire Protection Association) as amended by California.

• The alarm system must be tested annually.
   
  
• Supervisory or control devices (including those which are part of a sprinkler or standpipe system), and the water flow (i.e. main drain test) and Inspector's Test which are part of a sprinkler system, must be tested quarterly.
   
  
• The person performing the test must either be a licensed alarm contractor (C7 or C10) or must have received specialized training for the system (per NFPA 72 guidelines) for which he/she is responsible.

Systems Out of Service

• When a fire protection system is out of service, a fire watch may be required. In addition, the Fire Communications Center should be notified at (858) 974-9891 as well as Fire and Hazard Prevention Services at (619) 533-4400.
   
  
• See the policy on Disrupted Service-Fire Protection Systems (PDF: 92K) for further details.