NFPA 25 Discussion Area

This page is dedicated to those attempting to put into practical use all editions of NFPA 25. There are no stupid questions, but please be respectful of how others have interpreted, or are trying to interpret this standard. Even NFPA has it’s moments trying to explain it.

One thought on “NFPA 25 Discussion Area”

  1. NFPA 25 does not require that NFPA 13 deficiencies be found or noted during an inspection of a fire sprinkler system or that specific forms have to be used.

    The intent of NFPA 25 is only to address maintenance issues with an overall objective of ensuring that the system is mechanically operational. When an inspection is conducted in accordance with NFPA 25, it is assumed that the installation met the minimum requirements of the installation standard when it was installed. As stated in Section 1.1.3 “This standard addresses the operating condition of fire protection systems as well as impairment handling and reporting and applies to fire protection systems that have been properly installed in accordance with generally accepted practice.” The NFPA 25 handbook commentary explains that the intent of the standard is to require inspection, testing, and maintenance of all water-based fire protection system regardless of the quality of the design and installation. The intent of the scope statement is to relieve the inspector of the burden of continually re-verifying the design and installation of the system. The scope statement basically means that the function of the inspector is to look for signs of normal wear and tear or aging of the system and components, not to re-verify acceptance criteria. Thus adding a section to the report that the system is correct for the occupancy or hazards may expose you to liability issues as the company completing NFPA 25 inspections. However, when NFPA 13 deficiencies exists and are known, it may be prudent for an inspector to inform the owner by separate correspondence. Noting these items separately shows due diligence and may ease concerns of liability for the inspecting contractor. The problem with this is noted in the handbook commentary that the inspector performing the work is not necessarily trained to make this evaluation, nor is it cost effective for such an evaluation to take place each year. The owner and the local jurisdiction should be aware that NFPA 25 does not require NFPA 13 deficiencies to be remedied when found. It only requires that the system be capable of operating properly.

    Source: http://atlantasprinkler.com/inspection-forms-and-nfpa-13-deficiencies/#sthash.qnA95b2m.dpuf

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