Fire Protection Systems
The Compliance Engine
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department has instituted a new process for service providers who inspect and test fire protection systems. Effective 04/15/2020 all compliant and non-compliant fire protection system test reports are required to be electronically submitted to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department online via The Compliance Engine. Visit the Compliance Engine page for more information.
New! Please review the new Fire Prevention Standard for Smoke Control Periodic Testing. The effective date of the this standard will be January 1, 2025. A stakeholder meeting will be held at 525 B St. on the first floor in the meeting room directly behind the security desk in the lobby on December 3, 2024 at 1:00 p.m., to discuss the new requirements.
Submit a Basis of Design and/or Periodic Test Plan for SDFD review and approval by clicking the button below:
Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems
Periodic inspection, testing and maintenance is required for sprinkler and standpipe systems per Title 19, Chapter 5 and the current adopted version of California Edition of NFPA 25. A licensed contractor (C16 license) must perform the service test annually and every five years.
A license is not required to perform visual inspections.
For fire protection engineers and companies designing new sprinkler systems, the City is now using water model software for determining fire hydrant flows. This new process reduces the time for getting the hydrant water flow information to the customer, saves water and is more efficient.
Maintenance Inspection Record Forms
Fire Alarm Systems
A fire alarm system must be tested periodically in accordance with the California Fire Code and the current adopted edition of NFPA 72 as amended by the State of California.
- The alarm system must be tested annually.
- Supervisory valve switches (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 as specified in the current adopted NFPA references as amended by the State of California.
- The person performing the test must either be a licensed alarm contractor (C7 or C10) or must have received specialized training for the system for which he/she is responsible.
Systems Out of Service
- All system impairments shall be reported to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department immediately. When system impairments are found during inspection or testing, they shall be reported via TCE. When impairments are found outside of periodic inspection and testing, they shall be reported by completing the SDFD Report an Impairment form.
- See the policy on Disrupted Service-Fire Protection Systems for further details.