What does this fire department connection (fdc) annual checklist cover?

13 items across 5 sections, covering notice and impairment, internal inspection observed, drip and hydrostatic test, hardware and record, and more. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

The licensed fire-protection contractor performs and certifies the internal inspection of the FDC and check valve and any required flow work, with the AHJ witnessing; the building team observe and record the condition and results.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

On the system's periodic cycle, the pass that looks inside the FDC and the check valve for obstruction, which no external cap-and-approach round can confirm.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

7 of the 13 items call for photo evidence, 8 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails a fire department connection (fdc) annual inspection?

Internal obstruction inspection skipped for years, so a slug of debris or a swollen gasket behind the inlet chokes the flow when the FDC is finally used. Check valve found weeping back into the system but the finding never dated on the building side, so it slips off the follow-up list. Contractor's certified report filed but nothing recorded at the site, so the AHJ can't be shown when the connection was last opened up.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Fire department connection (FDC) annual maintenance checklist

The annual fire department connection service is the deep pass: the measurements, cleanings and tests a quarterly round doesn't reach. This checklist keeps the full service on record with the photos that make it defensible later. Work is commonly verified against NFPA 13, NFPA 25. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Notice and impairment

Owner and monitoring company called before the FDC is opened
Before the contractor opens the check valve or drains the line, the owner told of the work and the monitoring company warned of possible waterflow or supervisory signals, both calls logged.
No photo
FDC impairment opened and the fire department told
Owner's impairment procedure followed while the FDC or its check valve is out of service, the local fire department told it is unavailable, fire watch set if required.
No photo

Internal inspection observed

Inlet interior and obstruction check witnessed
Contractor's internal inspection observed with the inlets opened, the interior seen clear of debris, ice or foreign material back to the check valve, findings recorded.
Check valve condition observed
Check valve seen holding as the contractor tests it, no back-leakage into the FDC piping, any weeping or seat wear the contractor calls out noted for follow-up.
Swivels and gaskets examined with the caps off
Each swivel turned through a full turn with the cap off, the gasket seated, pliable and uncracked, anything worn marked for the contractor to renew.
Inlet threads tried against the local hose coupling
Contractor fits a coupling or thread gauge matching the local fire department's hose to each inlet, the thread engaging fully, damaged or mismatched threads written up.
Source of any debris found recorded for the owner
Where debris, scale, ice or foreign material is found, the likely source such as a missing cap or corrosion noted, and any obstruction investigation the contractor advises written up.
No photo

Drip and hydrostatic test

Automatic drip operated and reseated by the contractor
Beyond the quarterly look, the ball drip or drain plunger worked by hand to confirm it opens, drains the line and reseats, any seized or leaking drip written up.
FDC piping hydrostatic test record current
Contractor's record of the FDC piping hydrostatic test on file within the interval the inspection standard sets, pressure and hold result recorded, and the next due date noted for the owner.
No photo

Hardware and record

Caps, gaskets and swivels renewed as needed
Any missing cap, worn gasket or seized swivel the contractor replaces observed and logged, inlets left capped and turning freely after the work.
Test tag current and deficiencies logged
Updated tag with the inspection date at the FDC, any obstruction or check-valve issue raised written into the site record with the follow-up, separate from the contractor's certified report.

Return to service

Monitoring company, owner and fire department told FDC is back
Check valve and drains back to normal, the monitoring company confirming normal signals, the owner and local fire department told, and the impairment closed in the log.
No photo
Contractor's inspection report filed with the owner
Written report with the internal inspection, check valve and hydrostatic results filed with the owner, and the AHJ's witnessing noted where it attended the work.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Internal obstruction inspection skipped for years, so a slug of debris or a swollen gasket behind the inlet chokes the flow when the FDC is finally used.
Check valve found weeping back into the system but the finding never dated on the building side, so it slips off the follow-up list.
Contractor's certified report filed but nothing recorded at the site, so the AHJ can't be shown when the connection was last opened up.

Verified against

Common questions

6 answers

What does this fire department connection (fdc) annual checklist cover?: 13 items across 5 sections, covering notice and impairment, internal inspection observed, drip and hydrostatic test, hardware and record, and more. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: The licensed fire-protection contractor performs and certifies the internal inspection of the FDC and check valve and any required flow work, with the AHJ witnessing; the building team observe and record the condition and results.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: On the system's periodic cycle, the pass that looks inside the FDC and the check valve for obstruction, which no external cap-and-approach round can confirm.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 7 of the 13 items call for photo evidence, 8 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails a fire department connection (fdc) annual inspection?: Internal obstruction inspection skipped for years, so a slug of debris or a swollen gasket behind the inlet chokes the flow when the FDC is finally used. Check valve found weeping back into the system but the finding never dated on the building side, so it slips off the follow-up list. Contractor's certified report filed but nothing recorded at the site, so the AHJ can't be shown when the connection was last opened up.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Related checklists

Fire department connection (FDC) QuarterlyFire department connection (FDC) quarterly maintenance checklistInlet caps, swivels and clappers, identification signage and the approach to the FDC checked each quarter13 items9 photos

Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 8 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.