CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4 of NFPA 25 contains general requirements for the different types of systems covered under the scope of the standard. This chapter outlines the administrative guidelines for compliance with the standard, which include such topics as changes in building use or occupancy, impairments, corrective action, record-keeping, and essential safety requirements for those performing the work specified in Chapter 5 through Chapter 16. 

The primary focus of this chapter is on the property owner or designated representative. The standard aims to clearly identify that the owner or the owner’s designated representative is responsible for all aspects of maintaining the systems addressed by the standard. These responsibilities include changes to building content, changes to building use, or renovations to interior building arrangements that can hinder the efficacy of the fire protection systems operation.

CHAPTER 5

Chapter 5 provides requirements for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire sprinkler systems, the most common type of fire protection systems installed in the built environment. Sprinkler systems are exceptionally reliable, but like any mechanical system, they require attention to remain operational. Unlike other types of building systems, such as plumbing or HVAC, sprinkler systems are relatively static in that they are normally not flowing water. Periodic ITM is necessary to ensure that the system and its components will function as intended in the event of a fire emergency.  

CHAPTER 6

Chapter 6 of NFPA 25 covers the inspection, testing, and maintenance of standpipe systems. The operating condition of standpipe systems is important because standpipe systems are critical equipment in buildings where firefighting operations must be conducted internally due to the size or height of the building. A standpipe failure can have catastrophic consequences to both building occupants and first responders who rely on the system for their safety. 

CHAPTER 8

Chapter 8 addresses the inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire pumps and related equipment. In most cases where fire pumps are installed, the fire protection systems they connect to would be ineffective in fire control if the pumps and connected drivers were not fully functioning. Therefore, proper maintenance is critical to help ensure constant system readiness at all times.

CHAPTER 13

Chapter 13 covers the inspection, testing, and maintenance activities for components that are common to multiple systems. This includes valves, gauges, and other components that are found in most systems. The requirements of Chapter 13 apply anywhere the components addressed by this chapter are found on any of the water-based fire protection systems within the scope of NFPA 25. The chapter consolidates the ITM requirements for these common system components into one place, as opposed to repeating them in each chapter. Therefore, when inspecting, testing, and maintaining any water-based system, Chapter 13 should always be referenced, along with the requirements for specific hardware or components covered in the system-specific chapters. 

CHAPTER 14

Chapter 14 addresses the need for continued operability of water-based fire protection systems by providing requirements for monitoring the interior condition of the piping system and conducting obstruction investigations. Metal piping systems can lose structural integrity due to corrosion and can become obstructed due to corrosion by-products such as pipe scale. The requirements for periodic internal inspections of the system piping are intended to address this issue. Any type of system that uses piping can become inoperative when the pipe is filled with obstructing material. Sprinkler systems are no exception. Any maintenance program must include means for revealing potential obstructions and removing any obstructions that are found. Obstructions are addressed in this chapter. Section 14.3 provides a list of potential causes of piping obstructions and identifies what type of situation requires an obstruction investigation when any of the listed conditions occur.