SECTION F-914 PERIODIC TESTING OF FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

F-914.1 Periodic test frequency. Fire protection systems, including standby/emergency generators in all buildings and all standby and emergency electrical systems in high-rise buildings shall be tested annually. The owner of each building that contains emergency electrical systems, automatic fire extinguishing systems, standpipe systems or fire alarm systems shall annually provide a certification for such systems in the building from a person certified or licensed by the Department of Licenses and Inspections to provide such certifications in accordance with regulations promulgated pursuant to this code.

Exceptions:

1. An owner is not required to submit certification of smoke alarms in one- and two-family dwellings or single- and multiple-station smoke alarms (non-system smoke detectors) in other occupancies.

2. An owner is not required to submit certification of tests, inspections and maintenance of fire protection equipment recommended by equipment manufacturers or referenced standards to be performed at times more frequently than annually.

F-914.1.1 Submission of certification. The certification shall indicate that the fire protection system has been tested and maintained in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and the applicable NFPA standards. The certification or a notice of deficiencies that preclude certification of the system shall be submitted in approved form to the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

F-914.1.2 Seal. Paper forms of certifications submitted to the City of Philadelphia, to the owner, or for any other official purpose shall be embossed with the impression seal of the company that performed the certification.

F-914.1.3 Intent. The requirement for annual certification is to confirm the proper function of the system(s) previously installed in a building in accordance with the provisions of the referenced codes and standards applicable to existing buildings. This requirement shall not be construed as requiring existing systems to comply with the provisions of codes and standards applicable to new buildings or new systems.

F-914.1.4 Partial certification. When a fire suppression system is repaired, altered or extended between periodic testing dates, the modified portion of the system is required to be certified upon a return to service. When the entire system is certified upon return to service at the owner’s discretion, the date of certification will become the new periodic test date.

F-914.1.5 Annual certification of fire suppression system during period of retrofit or new installation. During the period of sprinkler and/or standpipe retrofit or new installation, the normal certification procedures shall continue to apply to existing systems and to completed portions of new installations.

F-914.2 Consistency of required test dates. To ensure consistency of required tests for sprinkler and standpipe systems, tests shall be conducted in accordance with the dates indicated in Sections F-914.2.1 through F-914.2.4

F-914.2.1 Dry pipe valves. Full flow tests of dry pipe valves shall be required in 1996 and every three years thereafter, except those protecting areas that are constantly maintained below a freezing temperature.

F-914.2.2 Standpipe pressure reducing valves. Flow tests of standpipe pressure reducing valves shall be required in 1995 and every five years thereafter.

F-914.2.3 Dry standpipe system hydrostatic test. Hydrostatic tests of dry standpipe systems and dry portions of wet standpipe systems shall be required in 1995 and every five years thereafter.

F-914.2.4 Standpipe flow test. Standpipe flow tests conducted at the hydraulically most remote hose connection shall be required in 2005 and every five years thereafter.

F-914.3 Annual audibility testing in Groups I-1, R-1, R-2 and R-4. In Group I-1, R-1, R-2 and R-4 occupancies, the annual certification of the fire alarm systems shall contain the results of audibility tests performed in accordance with NFPA 72 in the sleeping rooms of a representative sample of units contained within the building. The specific units tested and the audibility readings taken shall be entered on the annual certification form. The sample shall include as a minimum:

1. One of each type of unit contained in the building; and

2. The unit or units that are most remote from the audible alarm notification appliances; and

3. Any unit or units with sleeping rooms that are separated from the corridor by building cores, such as elevator cores, stairways, etc; and

4. One unit per floor.