Free checklist
Fire protectionFire protection preventive maintenance checklist
Fire protection systems drift out of spec quietly, a failed fitting here, a tripped device there, until the callback or the failure makes it loud. This recurring maintenance checklist catches the drift early, with photo evidence that proves the round actually happened. Work is commonly verified against NFPA 13, NFPA 25. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.
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.
Gauges and valves
Riser and system gauges reading within the normal range
Gauge photographed at each riser, reading compared against the prior round's baseline.
Supervised control valves locked or electronically monitored in the open position
Valve position and lock or seal checked physically, not assumed from the monitoring panel alone.
Gauge replacement or calibration dates within the program interval
Date marked on each gauge or in the maintenance record falls inside the interval the maintenance program sets.
Obstructions and system condition
Clearance beneath heads and around piping maintained
Storage, racking or new equipment not encroaching on the required clearance below any head.
Piping and hangers free of corrosion, leaks and damage
No active drips, rust staining or bent hangers found along accessible runs.
Heads free of paint, corrosion, dust loading and damage
Heads viewed from the floor; any painted, corroded, loaded or bent head logged by room for replacement.
Tenant changes checked for spaces that lost sprinkler coverage
New partitions, soffits, mezzanines or high storage since the last round noted where existing heads may no longer reach.
No photo
Riser room
Riser room clear, dry and accessible
No storage blocking access to valves or the fire department connection, room free of standing water.
Riser room kept above freezing
Heater running and thermometer read in the riser room and any dry valve enclosure, no open louvers or drafts at the piping.
Main and auxiliary drain valves shut tight with no weep
No weep at the main or auxiliary drain outlets; on dry systems, low-point drains opened and condensate cleared on schedule.
Alarm and impairments
Fire alarm panel shows no sprinkler trouble or supervisory signals
Panel display photographed with no open supervisory or trouble on sprinkler points; any active signal traced to its device.
Waterflow test signal received by the monitoring company
Inspector's test flowed on the scheduled round and the central station confirms receipt, with the time logged on the report.
No photoImpairments since the last round logged with restore times
Any valve closed or system out of service has an impairment record, the required notifications made and the restore time noted.
No photo
What usually sends this back
The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work
- Supervised valves found unlocked or in the wrong position weeks before anyone notices.
- Gauge readings recorded from memory instead of read and photographed at the riser.
- Storage or racking built up against sprinkler heads or piping, never reported until the annual walk.
Common questions
6 answers
- What does this fire protection pm checklist cover?
- 13 items across 4 sections, covering gauges and valves, obstructions and system condition, riser room, alarm and impairments. 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 fire protection contractor or in-house fire life-safety tech on a scheduled inspection round.
- When in the schedule should this walk happen?
- Monthly and quarterly rounds per the maintenance schedule, with an annual full system test.
- Why do these items ask for a photo?
- 10 of the 13 items call for photo evidence, 13 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 protection pm inspection?
- Supervised valves found unlocked or in the wrong position weeks before anyone notices. Gauge readings recorded from memory instead of read and photographed at the riser. Storage or racking built up against sprinkler heads or piping, never reported until the annual walk.
- 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
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 13 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.
See all 508 checklists · 6741 items and 5984 photo requirements in total.