FMS-30 Inspection Testing Maint of Sprinkler Systems.doc

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINSTRATION

JCM-VAMC-M

Facilities Management Service

INSPECTION, TESTING & MAINTENANCE OF WET PIPE FIRE SUPRESSION SPRINKLER SYSTEMS & FIRE HYDRANTS I.

PURPOSE.

To establish policy to provide guidance for inspection, testing and maintenance of Wet Pipe Fire Sprinkler systems & Fire Hydrants. Wet Fire Pipe Suppression Sprinkler systems is defined as all components of the system except Flow and Tamper switches included items are heads, drain valves, system piping, & Fire Pumps and all other components of the system which provides life safety protection for the facility. Fire Hydrant is defined as a valve connected on a water main for the purpose of supplying water to fire hose or other fire protection apparatus.

II.

POLICY.

To provide recommended practices and code requirments to the inspection, testing and maintenance of sprinkler equipment upon which the safety of life and property may depend.

III.

RESPONSIBILITIES.

The responsibility for proper maintenance of the medical center's sprinkler systems is assigned to Facilities Management Service. The Safety Officer will be responsible for QM of the program. The Maintenance and Repair (M&R) Section will perform testing as defined herein. Any testing or maintenance that occurs which renders system components inoperable or unusable will be reported to the Safety Manager. If any defects or impairments are revealed, corrective action will be taken. All outlined preventive maintenance will be documented via the AEMS/MERS system.

IV.

PROCEDURES

(1) INSPECTIONS:

A. Inspections Weekly

1. Perform no flow churn test on Fire Pump

2. Document fire pump pressures

B. Inspections Monthly

1. Spare sprinkler and sprinkler wrench

2. Pressure gages

C. Inspections Quarterly

1. Fire Department Connections

2. Alarm devices free from physical damage

D. Inspection Annual

1. Proper number and type of sprinkler heads

2. Visual of sprinkler heads

3. Visual of Pipe

4. Adequate heat in all areas

JCM-VAMC-M FMS Standard Operating Procedure FMS-30

Inspection, Testing & Maintenance of Sprinkler Systems May 3, 2004

(2) TESTING:

A. Testing Quarterly

1. Mechanical Water flow devices

2. Post indicator valves

B. Testing Semiannual

1. Electrical water flow devices

2. Valve supervisory switches

C. Testing Annual

1. Main Drain Test

2. Back flow test

3. Fire pump full flow test

(3) Notification:

When performing work that requires the sprinkler system to be shut down, a Utility Interruption Coordination work sheet will be completed as to FMS, SOP-39. Notification will be given to the Safety Officer. He/she will make appropriate notifications to staff, Directors Office and the VISN, if the outage will be more than 4 hours. The M&R Section will also notify the Boiler Plant, who will then notify the Muskogee City Fire Department. Shutdown of the system lasting more than 4 hours will have hourly fire watch checks by the Safety Staff or designees. Safety staff will notify the Boiler Plant of the status every hour during the fire watch.

(4) Fire Hydrants:

A. Testing Annually

1. Open each hydrant and flow for 1 minute to clear foreign materials

2. Observe proper drainage

3. Lubricate stems, caps, plugs, & threads B. Testing 5 Years

1. Full Flow test

(5) ALTERATIONS:

Any alteration to a sprinkler system should be done in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems or other applicable NFPA Standards.

V.

REFERENCES.

MP-3, Part III, NFPA 13-A. NFPA 25

VI.

RESCISSIONS.

Engineering Standard Operated Procedure138-30, same subject dated

June 12, 2002.

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ROBERT WELSH BENJAMIN R. CAMPEAU, JR.

Chief, Facilities Management Service Associate Medical Center Director

Attachment – Appendix A

Dist: Each FMS Employee

JCM-VAMC-M FMS Standard Operating Procedure FMS-30 Appendix A Inspection, Testing & Maintenance of Sprinkler Systems May 3, 2004

FIRE SYSTEM SHUTDOWN AND NOTIFCATION LOG

JACK C. MONTGOMERY FMS Standard Operating Procedure FMS-30

VA Medical Center, Muskogee May 3, 2004