INSPECTION, TESTING

AND MAINTENANCE OF
FIRE PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
PRESENTED BY:

RAMON D. AGUILOS, PME

GENERAL MANAGER
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
 OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

FALAR 3
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM
Type of systems and components
and sequence of operation
INSPECTION, TESTING &
MAINTENANCE of WATER BASED
EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
GASEOUS AND OTHER TYPES OF
EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM
 FALAR 3
DILG MEMORANDUM
CIRCULAR
DECEMBER 15, 2005
REVISED FIRE CODE
OF THE PHILIPPINES
DECEMBER 19, 2008
DILG MEMORANDUM
CIRCULAR
JULY 26, 2010
 Under the Revised Fire Code of the
Philippines of 2008, FALAR is still
required and what DILG Secretary
Jesse Robredo had repealed is the
DILG Memorandum Circular on
FALAR that was signed by then
DILG Secretary Angelo Reyes.
OBJECTIVES OF FALAR 3
To document testing and maintenance of fire
protection systems and life safety as
mandated in the Fire Code.

It consists of a written report prepared by

the building owner, his fire safety officer or
his authorized representative.

This is a compilation of maintenance and

testing records kept by the building
engineering and maintenance departments.
OUTLINE OF REPORT
OUTLINE OF REPORT
OUTLINE OF REPORT
MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

Objective

Prevention or prompt detection of
deficiencies or damage and the
quick maintenance or repair to
maintain the fire protection and life
safety system in ready state at any
time.
INSPECTION

Visual and mechanical checking of the

condition of the facilities performed on
a regular basis to determine possible
extent of maintenance or repair work
required and to assure proper
operation of the systems.
MAINTENANCE

It is the periodic or schedule work

required to preserve or restore a
facility to a condition so it can be
effectively used for its designed
purpose.
AUTOMATIC
SPRINKLER
SYSTEM
 DEFINITION

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER
a system of pipe, tube conduits provided
with heads or nozzles that is
automatically activated by fire induced
stimuli consisting of light, heat, visible
or invisible combustion products
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
 TYPES OF SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Wet Pipe Sprinkler System

Dry Pipe Sprinkler System
Pre-Action Sprinkler System
Deluge Sprinkler System
Combined Dry Pipe and
Pre-action Sprinkler
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
WET PIPES SPRINKLER SYSTEM

This system is applicable to areas

that are not subjected to freezing
Piping system is filled with water
This type of sprinkler system is
the one that we normally use in
the Philippines

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

This system is applicable to

areas that are subjected to
freezing weather
Piping system is filled with air
Has an inherent delay in
reaction time.

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

PRE-ACTION SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Can be used for computer facility.

Piping is filled with slightly
compressed air.
Has a separate detection system
that will admit water into the
piping system upon detection of
fire.
Closed head system

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

PRE-ACTION SPRINKLER SYSTEM
DELUGE TYPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Application : Hangars
Has a separate detection
system that will admit water
into the piping system upon
detection of fire
Open head system

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

DELUGE TYPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
WET PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Sequence of operation:
1.The entire sprinkler system
piping is pressurized. Top most
piping system is normally
pressurized up to 40 psi of
pressure.
2. Upon detection of fire and
opening of sprinkler head,
pressure in the piping system
drops.
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Sequence of operation:
3. The fire and jockey pumps are
automatically activated by pressure
drop in the piping. Normally the
jockey pump cut in pressure is higher
than the fire pump is the first to be
activated.
4. Jockey pump has limited capacity
and when it cannot sustain the
required flow in the piping system,
pressure in the system drops further.
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Sequence of operation:
5. When the pressure drops
further, it can reach the fire pump
cut in pressure and the fire pump
automatically activates.
6. The fire alarm system has
nothing to do with the activation of
fire pump. The fire and jockey
pumps have their own pressure
sensing lines and independent
from the fire alarm system.
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM

Sequence of operation:
7. The automatic sprinkler system
is connected to the fire alarms
system thru the flow and
supervisory switches for each
zone. So when these devices are
activated, respective zones in the
building fire alarm system are
activated in the panel.

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

BASIC COMPONENTS
SPRINKLER HEAD
SPRINKLER HEAD

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

SPRINKLER HEAD

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

SPRINKLER HEAD

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

SPRINKLER HEAD

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

 FIRE PUMPS
NFPA 20-Installation requirements
Positive head at pump suction
Means of testing the pump
Dual source of power for motor driven units
Horizontal Split Case Centrifugal Fire
Pump
Use when pump is at the same level or lower
than the storage tank
Vertical Turbine Fire Pump
Use when storage tank is below the pump
room
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
FIRE PUMPS
Jockey pumps
Use as pressure maintenance.
Prevents frequent starting of the fire pump.
Handles the leak in the piping system.
Sample pressure settings
Jockey pump cut in pressure-100 psi
Jockey pump cut off pressure -110 psi
Fire pump cut in pressure 90 psi. No
automatic shut down.

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

 PIPING SYSTEM AND ACCESSORIES

Alarm check valves

Flow Switches
Fire Department connection
Isolation Valves
Supervisory Switches
Standpipes (Fire Hoses & Hose
Valves)

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

 ALARM CHECK VALVE

Mechanical device that gives an

alarm upon activation of the
sprinkler system
Applicable for a variable water
supple system
Can be connected to the building
fire alarm system (FAS) thru the
pressure switch

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

 ALARM CHECK VALVE
COMMON INSTALLATION PROBLEM

Piping connection to the alarm valve

Distance of pipe from alarm check
valve to the exterior gong.
Limitation on the design pressure. Not
suitable for high rise building requiring
pressure greater than 175 PSI.

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

ALARM CHECK VALVE
 FLOW SWITCH

Electrical device that detects water

flow on the piping system
Suitable for high rise buildings where
we need to identify the floor where
fire had originated
With retard device to adjust sensitivity
setting
Limited to wet pipe sprinkler only

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

FLOW SWITCH
FLOW SWITCH
INSPECTORS TEST AND DRAIN PIPE

Means of testing the operation

of the water flow switch

Means of draining system

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

INSPECTORS TEST AND DRAIN PIPE

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

 FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTION

Serves as back-up water supply for

automatic sprinkler system
Number of inlet connection depends
on the size of fire pump. One outlet for
each 250 gpm fire pump capacity
Should be located in accessible area
Should be provided with cap and chain

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

 FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTION

For multi-zone system, check the

label on the fire department
connection
For buildings with separate
standpipe and sprinkler system,
check which connection is for the
sprinkler and which is for standpipe
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTION

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ISOLATION VALVE

Indicating Type
To determine at a glance if the valve is open or
close.
Requirement
Each floor or zone
Each system or riser
Each equipment for maintenance

One cause of sprinkler failure is

closed valve.

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

ISOLATION VALVE-OS AND Y-VALVE
ISOLATION VALVE-OS AND Y-VALVE
 SUPERVISORY SWITCH

Monitors the opening/ closing of

valve. Required for all valves that
supply water to sprinkler system
or hydrant system
If the valve cannot be provided
with a supervisory switch, the
valve should be locked in the
open position

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

SUPERVISORY SWITCH
 STANDPIPE SYSTEM

NFPA 14 is the standard for the

installation of standpipe system

Manual dry standpipe is no longer

allowed for high rise buildings

Standpipe system can be combined

with automatic sprinkler piping

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

STANDPIPE SYSTEM

CLASS I for Fire Department use

CLASS II for use of building

occupants

CLASS III has provisions for both

CLASS I and CLASS II

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

HOSE VALVES (CLASS I)

65 MM diameter for use of Fire

Department Personnel
Located on fire resistive
enclosure like a stairwell
Minimum pressure of 65 PSI
Should be pressure reducing
type for pressures greater than
100 PSI
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
CLASS I
STANPIPE SYSTEM
 FIRE HOSE
CABINETS CLASS II

Serves as first line of defense for

manual fire fighting
All areas should be within 30m of the
fire hose
Flexible coupling for pipe going down
to the hose
Pressure reducing type or with
pressure restricting device for location
subjected pressure greater than 100
PSI.
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
FIRE HOSE
CABINETS CLASS II
FIRE HOSE
CABINETS CLASS II

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

OTHER SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Hangers
Sway Brace
Flushing Connection

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

HANGERS /
SWAY BRACE
HANGERS /
SWAY BRACE
FLUSHING CONNECTION
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM FOR LOW RISE
BUILDING

SCHEMATIC SPRINKLER RISER DIAGRAM

INSPECTION OF
INSTALLATION

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

APPLICABLE STANDARD
NFPA 25, Standard for the
inspection, testing and
maintenance of water based
extinguishing system

Documentation of inspection,
testing and maintenance is
required

Recommended frequency of ITM

is also included in the code
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
WHAT TO INSPECT FOR SPRINKLER
INSTALLATION

All areas are protected by

sprinklers.
Bathrooms less than 50 sf.
Electrical room, provided that they
are separated from other areas by at
least 1 hour wall construction and no
combustibles are used inside the
room
The sprinkler head is installed
correctly.
Check the type of sprinklers, upright
or pendent, and positioned correctly.
Check the orifice size, K factor,
thread size.
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
WHAT TO INSPECT FOR SPRINKLER
INSTALLATION

There is a clear space below the head

of at least 18 inches.
The head is not painted or corroded
The deflectors are not bent or
damaged
Hangers and sway braces are installed
with proper spacing.
Pipes were provided with paint primer
and with finish coat of paint.
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
WHAT TO INSPECT FOR SPRINKLER
INSTALLATION

Pipe should be vented.

Flow switches were installed in a straight
pipe, away from the fittings that changes
in direction.
Supervisory switches for all supply valves
were installed or the valve was locked in
open position.
Pressure gage was provided on top of the
sprinkler risers to determine the system
pressure (depends on the designer)
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
WHAT TO INSPECT FOR SPRINKLER
INSTALLATION

Piping system was already flushed and water

is clear.
Pressure test had been done and no visible
leaks are present.
65 dia. hose valves were provided with caps
and chains.
Check if pressure reducing type hose valves
are required and verify the location.
Extra sprinklers had been place in cabinets
with sprinkler wrench.
Up to 300, at least 6 heads.
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
WHAT TO INSPECT FOR SPRINKLER
INSTALLATION

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

WHAT TO INSPECT FOR SPRINKLER
INSTALLATION

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

WHAT TO INSPECT FOR SPRINKLER
INSTALLATION

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

TESTING OF INSTALLATION

Test each individual flow switch by flowing

water through the inspectors test pipe.
Check if the proper zone (annunciator light )
in the fire alarm control panel had been
activated together with the fire alarm, upon
opening of the inspectors test valve.
Test each supervisory switch by closing the
floor control valve. Check if the proper zone
(annunciator light) in the fire alarm system
had been activated together with the trouble
alarm, upon closing of the valve.

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

TESTING OF INSTALLATION

Test operation of the jockey pump by

draining water in the system. Indicate the
cut in pressure and cut off pressure of the
jockey pump. Read and record the pressures,
current and voltage of the jockey pump.
Test the operation of the fire pump by
draining water in the system. Indicate the
cut in pressure fire pump. Read and record
the pressures, current and voltage of the fire
pump.
Conduct flow test for the fire pumps.

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

WHAT TO INSPECT IN FIRE PUMP
INSTALLATION

Positive suction head

Accessories
Relief Valve
Flow Meter
Automatic Air Relief Valve
Casing Relief Valve
Pressure Gages
Increaser
Decreaser

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
WHAT TO INSPECT IN FIRE PUMP
INSTALLATION

Testing procedure
Flow test
Automatic operation
Pressure settings

Each pump should have its own

pressure sensing line.

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

WHAT TO INSPECT IN FIRE PUMP
INSTALLATION

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

WHAT TO INSPECT IN FIRE PUMP
INSTALLATION

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

SUMMARY OF SPRINKLER SYSTEM ITM

Gauges weekly/monthly inspection

Control valves weekly/monthly inspection, lubricate
annually
Alarm devices quarterly inspection & test
Hangers/bracing-annual inspection
Pipe & fittings-annual inspection
Sprinklers-annual inspection
Fire department connection-annual inspection
Main drain-annual inspection & test
Gauges-test every 5 years
Sprinklers-test every 5 years

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

WET PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS ITM TASKS
WET PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS ITM TASKS
DRY PIPE AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
DRY PIPE AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
DELUGE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS ITM TASKS
DELUGE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS ITM TASKS
PRE-ACTION AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM
PRE-ACTION AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM
STANDPIPE SYSTEM
HYDRANTS AND MONITORS
FIRE PUMPS
FIRE PUMPS
WATER SUPPLY TANKS
WATER SUPPLY TANKS
WATER SPRAY SYSTEMS
ITM TASK
WATER SPRAY SYSTEMS
ITM TASK
WATER MIST SYSTEMS
ITM TASK
WATER SPRAY SYSTEMS
ITM TASK
 GASEOUS
EXTINGUIHING
SYSTEM & OTHERS

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS
 BELL (FIRST ALARM)
ZONE 1 or
B Circuit 1
H
HORN & FLASHING ZONE 2 or
STROBE (SECOND ALARM)
Circuit 2

M MANUAL STATION
FM-200 (FOR IMMEDIATE DISCHARGE)
SS SUPPRESSION
CONTROL PANEL
ELECTRIC CONTROL HEAD A ABORT STATION
(TO CYLINDER BANK)

FM-200 FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM

SINGLE LINE DIAGRAM
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
ON MONTHLY BASIS
Testing and activation of Suppression control Panel.
Testing and activation of Electric Control Head withou
FM200 Gas discharge.
Simulation testing of Bell, Horn & Flashing Strobe and
Detectors.

ON QUARTERLY BASIS
Checking of FM200 cylinder pressure
Cleaning of circuit module at suppression control panel
Random testing and activation of smoke detectors
Activation of cross-zoning system by smoke detector test
Activation of manual pull station without FM200 gas disc
Activation of timer
 SEMI ANNUAL BASIS
General Alarm Activation
- Testing of all smoke detectors
- Testing of manual station
- Testing of abort station
- Testing of alarm bell
- Testing of horn and flashing strobe
- Testing of of electric control head
and transfer switch
- General testing and commissioning of
Suppression panel

ANNUAL BASIS
Cleaning of all smoke detectors
Cleaning of modules at Suppression control panel
Activation of all field devices
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEM ITM
TASKS
FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEM ITM
TASKS
LOW EXPANSION FOAM SYSTEMS FOR
FLAMMABLE LIQUID TANKS ITM TASK
FOAM SPRAY AND SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
FOAM SPRAY AND SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
FOAM SPRAY AND SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
DRY CHEMICAL SYSTEMS
DRY CHEMICAL SYSTEMS
WET CHEMICAL SYSTEMS
CLEAN AGENT SYSTEMS
CLEAN AGENT SYSTEMS
CARBON DIOXIDE SYSTEMS
CARBON DIOXIDE SYSTEMS
 THANK
YOU !!
RDA ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS