A fire protection system is never in better shape than on the day it is commissioned. After that, valves get throttled, pressure switches drift, dust settles on detectors and the pump room slowly turns into a storage area. None of this looks dramatic on its own. Together it is enough to make a system perform at half capacity when it is finally needed.
This article covers the question facility managers ask us most: which equipment needs checking, how often, and by whom.
Regulatory framework
In Turkey the main reference is the Regulation on Fire Protection of Buildings (Binaların Yangından Korunması Hakkında Yönetmelik). It makes the building owner or manager responsible for having fire safety systems inspected and maintained according to the relevant standards and for keeping them operational at all times. Rather than listing intervals itself, it largely refers to standards.
The documents used in practice are:
- TS EN 12845 for water-based systems (sprinklers, pumps, hose reels, hydrants), and NFPA 25 on international projects
- The TS EN 54 series for fire detection and alarm, with NFPA 72 often applied alongside
- TS EN 15004 / ISO 14520 and NFPA 2001 for gaseous suppression
- TS ISO 11602-2 for portable fire extinguishers
Insurers and international tenants frequently add their own requirements, which are usually stricter than the standards. Read the contract.
Typical inspection intervals
The table below summarises intervals commonly applied on site. Exact values depend on the hazard class, insurer requirements and the edition of the standard in force.
| System / equipment | Visual inspection | Functional test | Full maintenance / test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinkler control valves | Weekly (sealed) or monthly (locked / supervised) | Annual operation | Annual |
| Alarm valve station and gauges | Monthly | Quarterly waterflow alarm test | Annual main drain test |
| Sprinkler heads and piping | Annual (from floor level) | Not applicable | Sample testing: 20 years for fast response, 50 years for standard heads |
| Electric fire pump | Weekly | Weekly or monthly no-flow run | Annual flow test |
| Diesel fire pump | Weekly | Weekly run of about 30 minutes | Annual flow test and engine service |
| Hose reels / hose cabinets | Monthly | Annual | Hose pressure test every 5 years |
| Detection and alarm | Daily panel check | Quarterly zone test | Every device tested at least annually |
| Gaseous suppression | Monthly | Cylinder pressure / weight check every 6 months | Annual system check and enclosure integrity review |
| Portable extinguishers | Monthly (by user) | Not applicable | Annual service, recharge and hydrostatic test as per standard |
Sprinkler systems
The most common problem we find is a control valve left closed or partly closed. A valve shut during a fit-out gets forgotten and stays that way for months. Valves should therefore be either sealed or electrically supervised, and where a tamper switch is fitted, someone should confirm that the fault signal actually reaches the panel.
The main drain test is simple and tells you a lot about obstructions or throttled valves on the supply side. If static and residual pressures are recorded at the same point every year, a downward trend shows up early.
In warehouses, changes to racking alter the clearance between heads and stored goods. A clearance of at least 450 mm is the usual minimum. It does not look like a maintenance item, but it belongs in the annual inspection.
Fire pumps
Running the pump set weekly is the easiest way to keep an eye on the heart of the system. A diesel pump should be started automatically every week, with oil pressure, coolant temperature and battery voltage logged. Recent editions of NFPA 25 allow monthly runs for electric pumps under certain conditions. Where practical we still recommend a weekly routine.
During the annual flow test the pump is run at 100 and 150 percent of rated flow and the readings are compared with the factory curve. Without a test header or flow meter this cannot be done properly, a point we cover in our pump room article.
Hose reels and cabinets
Monthly checks cover correct hose stowage, the nozzle being in place and the valve opening freely by hand. TS EN 671-3 calls for annual maintenance and periodic testing of hoses at maximum working pressure. A cabinet blocked by pallets or furniture is the single most frequent non-conformity we record.
Detection and alarm
The panel should be checked daily for faults and disabled zones. A zone that has been disabled for weeks is, in practice, an unprotected area. Every detector should be tested at least once a year with test aerosol or a heat source, and sounder and beacon coverage verified. In dusty environments detectors need cleaning or replacement more often.
Gaseous suppression
Two things matter: there must be enough agent in the cylinders, and the room must be able to hold it. Cylinder pressure or weight is checked every six months, and any cylinder beyond the permitted loss is taken out for service. On the room side, new cable penetrations, replaced doors and ceiling works all reduce hold time directly. After any change to the enclosure, the integrity test should be repeated.
Portable extinguishers
TS ISO 11602-2 defines routine user checks, annual maintenance by a competent company and hydrostatic testing at set intervals. Recharge intervals vary with extinguisher type and manufacturer instructions. The annual service label should show the service company and the date.
Why records matter
Doing the maintenance is not enough. It has to be documented. Fire brigade inspections, insurance surveys and post-loss investigations all start by asking for maintenance records. Each check should record the date, the person who carried it out, measured values and any deficiencies, plus the date each deficiency was closed.
One more practical point: write maintenance contracts per system. Instead of a single line called “fire system maintenance”, list which equipment is checked, at what interval and with which test. Both parties then see clearly what has and has not been done.
Final note
A maintenance programme should be built around the actual equipment on site. If there is no up-to-date inventory, that is the first step. ESFA can survey existing systems, prepare the equipment list and propose a maintenance schedule suited to the facility. Feel free to reach us through the contact page if that would help.