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How often does this need inspecting?
Pick a system and your state. See how often it must be inspected or tested, the NFPA section behind it, and what the inspector checks.
Open a free ledger and the due date shows at 60, 30, 14 and 7 days.
Portable fire extinguishers (NFPA 10)
A monthly visual check, a yearly maintenance visit, and longer cycles for internal maintenance and hydrostatic testing.
| Interval | Task | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly (about every 30 days) | Visual inspection, initialed and dated | NFPA 10 §7.2 (Inspection) |
| Annual (not more than 1 year) | Maintenance by a certified person, with a service tag | NFPA 10 §7.3 (Maintenance) |
| Every 6 years | Internal maintenance for stored-pressure units that need a 12-year hydrostatic test | NFPA 10 §7.3 (Maintenance) |
| Every 5 or 12 years, by type | Hydrostatic test (5 years for water, CO₂, wet chemical; 12 years for most dry chemical) | NFPA 10 Ch. 8, Table 8.3.1 |
- Extinguisher is in its designated place, visible, and not blocked
- Operating instructions on the nameplate face out and are legible
- Pressure gauge reads in the operable range
- Safety pin and tamper seal are intact
- No obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzle
- Fullness confirmed by weighing or lifting
- Service tag or label shows the last annual maintenance date
Fire sprinkler systems (NFPA 25)
Water-based systems run on a mix of monthly, quarterly, annual and five-year tasks. The summary table is in Chapter 5.
| Interval | Task | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly or monthly | Control valve inspection: weekly if sealed, monthly if locked or electrically supervised | NFPA 25 Ch. 13 (§13.4, control valves) |
| Monthly | Gauge inspection on wet pipe systems | NFPA 25 Ch. 5, Table 5.1.1.2 |
| Quarterly / semiannual | Waterflow alarm device test (mechanical devices quarterly; vane and pressure-switch devices semiannually) | NFPA 25 §5.3.3 |
| Annual | Sprinklers, pipe, fittings and hangers inspected from the floor; main drain test | NFPA 25 §5.2; §13.2.5 (main drain) |
| Every 5 years | Internal pipe assessment; gauges replaced or tested | NFPA 25 Ch. 14; Table 5.1.1.2 |
| At 50 years, then every 10 | Sample test of standard-response sprinklers | NFPA 25 §5.3.1 |
- Sprinklers free of paint, corrosion, damage, loading or obstruction
- 18 in. clearance below sprinkler deflectors kept clear of storage
- Control valves open, sealed or supervised, and accessible
- Gauges read normal water or air pressure
- Waterflow alarm sounds and signals the panel
- Main drain test result compared with earlier results
- Spare sprinkler cabinet stocked with the right types and wrench
- Fire department connection visible, accessible and capped
Fire alarm systems (NFPA 72)
Most devices are tested once a year. Batteries and some components carry semiannual tasks. The frequency tables are in Chapter 14.
| Interval | Task | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Semiannual | Inspection and test of sealed lead-acid batteries and some supervisory and waterflow devices | NFPA 72 Table 14.3.1; Table 14.4.3.2 |
| Annual | Visual inspection and functional test of initiating devices, notification appliances and the control unit | NFPA 72 Table 14.3.1; Table 14.4.3.2 |
| Per manufacturer / table | Smoke detector sensitivity testing: within 1 year of install, then every other year (longer if stable) | NFPA 72 §14.4.4.3 |
- Control panel shows normal, with no trouble or supervisory signals
- Smoke and heat detectors activate and report to the panel
- Pull stations operate and are unobstructed
- Horns, strobes and speakers are audible and visible in the space
- Primary and secondary (battery) power checked and load-tested
- Signals reach the monitoring station
- Fan shutdown, door release and elevator recall interfaces operate
- Record of completion on file
Emergency & exit lighting (NFPA 101 (NFPA 110 for generators))
Battery units get a short monthly test and a 90-minute annual test. Generator-fed systems follow NFPA 110.
| Interval | Task | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly (30-day intervals) | Functional test of at least 30 seconds | NFPA 101 §7.9.3.1.1(3) |
| Annual | Battery units tested for the full 1½ hours | NFPA 101 §7.9.3.1.1(4) |
| Weekly | Generator (EPSS) inspection | NFPA 110 §8.4.1 |
| Monthly | Generator exercised under load for at least 30 minutes | NFPA 110 §8.4.2 |
- Each unit and exit sign lights on loss of normal power
- Exit signs are lit and readable, with arrows pointing the right way
- Lamps and heads aimed at the egress path
- Battery lasts the full 90 minutes on the annual test
- Written record of each test kept for the AHJ
Self-testing/self-diagnostic units that meet NFPA 101 §7.9.3.1.2 can stand in for the manual tests; keep their reports.
Kitchen hood suppression (NFPA 17A and NFPA 96)
Wet chemical systems get a monthly owner check and a six-month service. Hood and duct cleaning depends on how hard the kitchen cooks.
| Interval | Task | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Owner inspection of the wet chemical system | NFPA 17A Ch. 7 (Inspection) |
| Every 6 months | Maintenance and inspection by a trained, qualified person | NFPA 17A Ch. 7 (Maintenance); NFPA 96 Ch. 11 |
| Annual | Fusible links replaced | NFPA 17A Ch. 7 |
| Monthly to annual, by cooking volume | Exhaust system inspected for grease buildup (monthly solid fuel; quarterly high volume; semiannual moderate; annual low volume) | NFPA 96 Ch. 11, Table 11.4 |
- Nozzles in place, aimed at the appliances, with blow-off caps on
- Manual pull station accessible and unobstructed
- Gauge in range and tamper seal intact
- Fusible links and detection line clean and current
- Fuel or power shutoff operates on system discharge
- Service tag shows the last six-month date
- K-class extinguisher within 30 ft of the cooking appliances
Backflow preventers (NFPA 25 (fire lines) + state/local plumbing code and water purveyor)
On fire sprinkler lines NFPA 25 sets an annual forward flow test. The potable-water test date is set by your state or local cross-connection program and the water supplier, so it varies.
| Interval | Task | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | Forward flow test of backflow assemblies on fire protection systems | NFPA 25 §13.6 |
| Varies, often annual | Potable cross-connection test, filed with the water purveyor | State/local plumbing code + water purveyor rules |
- Assembly is the approved type for the hazard (RPZ, double check, etc.)
- Test cocks and shutoff valves operate
- Relief valve and check valves hold at the required pressure
- No leaks, freeze damage or bypass piping
- Test report filed with the water purveyor on their form and deadline
Backflow testing varies by state, city and water supplier. Your water purveyor's notice is the controlling date.
Fire doors (NFPA 80)
Swinging fire door assemblies are inspected and tested at least once a year, with a written record.
| Interval | Task | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Annual (not less than) | Inspection and functional test of fire door assemblies, documented | NFPA 80 §5.2 |
- Labels on the door and frame are present and legible
- No open holes or breaks in the door or frame
- Glazing and vision lights intact and secured
- Door, frame, hinges and hardware are aligned and working
- No parts missing or broken
- Clearance under the bottom no more than ¾ in.
- Self-closing device closes the door fully from open
- Latch engages when the door closes; no field modifications that void the label
- No auxiliary hardware that interferes with operation; no wedges or hold-opens
National NFPA baseline, not a ruling for your building. Your state or city may adopt a different edition or add local amendments, and the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), usually the local fire marshal, has the final word. Confirm with your local fire marshal/AHJ. Section numbers follow recent NFPA editions; your adopted edition may number them differently. Not legal advice.
LifeSafetyRebook is not an authority having jurisdiction and does not inspect, approve, or certify a building. The shop sets the interval. Rules vary by city and by water supplier. This page is not legal advice. LifeSafetyRebook does not estimate fines.