--- title: "Fire Sprinkler Maintenance: Annual Inspections Might Not Be Enough" description: Learn about Fire Sprinkler Maintenance and Sprinkler System Inspection & Testing Frequencies. image: https://blog.centuryfp.com/hubfs/Sprinkler%20work%20close%20up-1.jpg --- - [SHOP OUR PARTS STORE](https://www.store.centuryfp.com/?utm_source=cfp_corp&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=corp) - [EMERGENCY SERVICE: 866 530 3473](https://www.centuryfp.com/tel:8665303473) - [REQUEST SERVICE](https://info.centuryfp.com/request-for-service) - [EMPLOYEE LOGIN](https://www.centuryfp.com/employee-login/) - [CLIENT LOGIN](https://www.centuryfp.com/client-login/) - [PAY INVOICE](https://pay.supplierpayments.com/payment/e8f8cad4-4f64-448b-8fa1-73ad4b080e77) [![Century_Logo](https://blog.centuryfp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20images/logo.png?width=231&height=137&name=logo.png "Century_Logo")](https://www.centuryfp.com) - [ABOUT](https://www.centuryfp.com/about/) - [ABOUT](https://www.centuryfp.com/about/) - [LEADERSHIP](https://www.centuryfp.com/leadership/) - [SOCIAL PURPOSE](https://www.centuryfp.com/social-purpose/) - [PARTNERING & ACQUISITIONS](https://www.centuryfp.com/partner-with-us/) - [SYSTEMS](https://www.centuryfp.com/systems/) - [SYSTEMS](https://www.centuryfp.com/systems/) - [SPRINKLER](https://www.centuryfp.com/systems/#sprinklers) - [ALARM](https://www.centuryfp.com/systems/#alarm) - [SPECIAL HAZARDS](https://www.centuryfp.com/systems/#hazards) - [EXTINGUISHERS](https://www.centuryfp.com/systems/#extinguishers) - [SERVICES](https://www.centuryfp.com/services/) - [SERVICES](https://www.centuryfp.com/services/) - [NATIONAL ACCOUNTS](https://www.centuryfp.com/services/#national-accounts) - [VERTICAL MARKETS](https://www.centuryfp.com/vertical-markets/) - [PARTS STORE](https://www.store.centuryfp.com/) - [PARTS STORE](https://www.store.centuryfp.com/) - [CAREERS](https://www.centuryfp.com/careers/) - [CAREERS](https://www.centuryfp.com/careers/) - [CULTURE](https://www.centuryfp.com/culture/) - [EDUCATION & TRAINING](https://www.centuryfp.com/education-training/) - [EDUCATION & TRAINING](https://www.centuryfp.com/education-training/) - [RESOURCE LIBRARY](https://info.centuryfp.com/resources) - [BLOG](https://blog.centuryfp.com) - [CONTACT](https://www.centuryfp.com/contact/) - [CONTACT](https://www.centuryfp.com/contact/) - [LOCATIONS](https://www.centuryfp.com/contact/#Locations) - [SUBMIT A REQUEST](https://info.centuryfp.com/request-for-service) ![Sprinkler work close up-2-1](https://blog.centuryfp.com/hubfs/Sprinkler%20work%20close%20up-2-1.jpg) # Fire Sprinkler Maintenance: Annual Inspections Might Not Be Enough - [Home](https://www.centuryfp.com/) - [Century Fire Protection Blog](https://blog.centuryfp.com) - Fire Sprinkler Maintenance: Annual Inspections Might Not Be Enough Posted June 29, 2017 [Tiffany](https://blog.centuryfp.com/author/tiffany) [Fire Sprinkler](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-sprinkler), [Fire Protection](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-protection) [0 Comments](https://blog.centuryfp.com/sprinkler-system-inspection-testing-frequency#postComment) 2 Minutes ## Most commercial property owners and managers know that fire system inspections need to be done annually. But is that all that is required? Properly installed and maintained fire sprinkler systems are key to reducing risk and maintaining compliance. Navigating the code requirements can get tricky. NFPA 25 the Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems outlines the frequency and scope of inspections and testing for fire sprinkler systems. If you are responsible for these systems you need to know when inspection, testing and maintenance is required. Do not assume your fire protection contractor is providing what is required by code. [DOWNLOAD THE QUICK REFERENCE FOR FIRE SPRINKLER MAINTENANCE](https://info.centuryfp.com/download-sprinkler-system-maintenance) In general, all systems need an annual inspection and test, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Most systems require more.   Wet, Dry, Pre-action and Deluge Fire Sprinkler Systems require inspection, testing and/or maintenance in the following intervals. To view the detailed test scope performed during each of these intervals, check out The Ultimate Sprinkler Maintenance Cheat Sheet. [DOWNLOAD HERE](https://info.centuryfp.com/sprinkler-maintenance-cheat-sheet) | **System Type** | **Annually** | **Quarterly** | **3 Year** | **5 Year** | **10 Year** | **20 Year** | **50 Years** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Wet** | ◊ | ◊ |   | ◊ | ◊ | ◊ | ◊ | | **Dry** | ◊ | ◊ | ◊ | ◊ |   | ◊ | ◊ | | **Pre-action** | ◊ | ◊ |   | ◊ |   | ◊ | ◊ | | **Deluge** | ◊ | ◊ |   | ◊ |   |   |   | ## So what takes place during the annual inspection? During the annual inspection, your contractor should inspect and exercise each control valve, test the sprinkler alarms (flows, tampers, etc..), conduct a water flow test at both ends of the system to verify water availability, and record water pressure. They also inspect coverage of system and the condition of the sprinkler heads, branch lines, risers, cross mains, hangers and other related components of the system. Need replacement sprinkler heads or other system parts? [Shop the Century Fire Parts Store](https://www.store.centuryfp.com/)for quick access. Dry Systems and Pre-action Systems require a *partial trip* annually which means the technician will cause the valve to change state from air to water without tripping the system and filling the entire pipe network with water. It is only on every *third year* during the annual inspection, that the entire sprinkler pipe network is filled with water and the technician records the time it takes for the water to reach the most remote point from the riser. [You can read more about 5 year inspection and testing here.](https://blog.centuryfp.com/2015/05/the-water-must-flow/) Need help? We are here for you - [contact our office](https://info.centuryfp.com/request-for-service). [![CTA Fire Sprinkler Maintenance Resource-3](https://blog.centuryfp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CTA%20Fire%20Sprinkler%20Maintenance%20Resource-3.png?width=600&height=225&name=CTA%20Fire%20Sprinkler%20Maintenance%20Resource-3.png)](https://info.centuryfp.com/download-sprinkler-system-maintenance)   The information provided is for general informational purposes only. Every fire protection system is unique, with specific inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements determined by system type, manufacturer specifications, building use, and local regulations. Consult a qualified fire protection professional or your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to ensure compliance with applicable standards. Century Fire Protection assumes no liability for actions taken based on this content. --- #### Tag: [Fire Sprinkler](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-sprinkler) [Fire Protection](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-protection) --- #### [Dust Explosion Protection: Understanding Protection Methods Previous Post](https://blog.centuryfp.com/blog/understanding-combustible-dust-explosions-and-protection-methods) #### [Smoke Detector Sensitivity Testing Requirements Next Post](https://blog.centuryfp.com/smoke-detector-sensitivity-testing-requirements) --- ## Related Posts [Fire Sprinkler](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-sprinkler), [Fire Protection](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-protection) [Kati Bucciero](https://blog.centuryfp.com/author/kati-bucciero) 09 September, 2026 #### [Common Fire Sprinkler Head Deficiencies and What They Mean](https://blog.centuryfp.com/common-fire-sprinkler-head-deficiencies) Fire Sprinkler Heads Must Be Ready Fire sprinkler heads are designed to be ready when they're… [Read More](https://blog.centuryfp.com/common-fire-sprinkler-head-deficiencies) [Fire Sprinkler](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-sprinkler), [Fire Protection](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-protection) [Kati Bucciero](https://blog.centuryfp.com/author/kati-bucciero) 09 September, 2026 #### [What Causes Corrosion in Fire Sprinkler Systems?](https://blog.centuryfp.com/corrosion-in-fire-sprinklers) Weigh the pros and cons of filling your dry sprinkler system with Nitrogen vs. Compressed Air. [Read More](https://blog.centuryfp.com/corrosion-in-fire-sprinklers) [Fire Protection](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/fire-protection), [Data Center](https://blog.centuryfp.com/topic/data-center) [Kati Bucciero](https://blog.centuryfp.com/author/kati-bucciero) 22 May, 2026 #### [Data Center Fire Protection Survey Results](https://blog.centuryfp.com/data-center-fire-protection-survey-results) What's Really Driving Fire Protection Decisions in Data Centers Right Now? [Read More](https://blog.centuryfp.com/data-center-fire-protection-survey-results) ### CONTACT 2450 Satellite Boulevard Duluth, GA 30096 p:[770 945 2330](tel:+17709452330) f:[770 945 2651](tel:+17709452651) - [US Privacy Policy](https://info.centuryfp.com/general_privacy_policy) - [California Privacy Policy](https://info.centuryfp.com/ca_privacy_policy) - [Terms of Use](https://info.centuryfp.com/terms_of_use) - Your Privacy Choices ![Great Place to Work GPTW Badge 25-26 Footer (1)](https://blog.centuryfp.com/hubfs/Great%20Place%20to%20Work%20GPTW%20Badge%2025-26%20Footer%20(1).png) - - - Copyright 2026 Century Fire Protection | All Rights Reserved ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Tiffany", "url" : "https://blog.centuryfp.com/author/tiffany" }, "dateModified" : "2026-09-03T19:54:36.037Z", "datePublished" : "2017-06-29T19:49:27.000Z", "headline" : "Fire Sprinkler Maintenance: Annual Inspections Might Not Be Enough", "image" : [ "https://blog.centuryfp.com/hubfs/Sprinkler%20work%20close%20up-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.centuryfp.com/sprinkler-system-inspection-testing-frequency", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.centuryfp.com/hubfs/Imported%20images/logo.png" }, "name" : "Century Fire Protection, LLC" } } ```