Can I Test My Own Fire Sprinklers? Why DIY Testing Isn't Legally Enough

If you have fire sprinklers, you probably already know that they can be invaluable during a fire. As well as preserving lives, they can potentially prevent fires from spreading and causing more damage. But you need to know that you can rely on your fire sprinkler system to work when it actually needs to.

This is where fire sprinkler maintenance and testing comes in handy. Testing reveals potential issues with your sprinkler system and ensures that they stand up to UK regulations for fire safety. It might be tempting to try to test your sprinkler system yourself to save a bit of money, but is this the safest option?

Fire Sprinkler Installation Requirements

Are you legally required to have sprinklers installed in your property? This depends on the type of property you own. If you’re just talking about your house or a single-occupancy tenancy, then no. While sprinkler systems will keep your home safer, they aren’t a legal requirement.

The latest UK fire sprinkler regulations are stricter than they once were, though. Some new residential builds need to have sprinkler systems installed, as do some care homes and other multiple-occupancy flats. Commercial properties over a certain size also require fire sprinklers.

If your property does require sprinkler systems, you’re also legally required to make sure those sprinklers are fully operational. 

This is important for a few reasons. The most obvious one is to protect the people in the building, but there are also financial incentives for property owners. If your sprinkler system doesn’t work because you haven’t had it tested and serviced, you could be held liable for damages. Your insurance claim could also be invalid. 

In short, neglecting the sprinklers is just not worth the risk.

How Often Do Sprinklers Need to Be Professionally Inspected?

According to British Standards, fire sprinklers need to be inspected every year by a qualified professional. This rules out the possibility of DIY testing only, unless you also happen to be qualified as a fire sprinkler inspector.

These inspections should be thorough as well, including different components of the entire sprinkler system, so any failure points don’t go unnoticed.

As well as inspections and tests, you also need to ensure that your system is regularly maintained and serviced. There’s no point in knowing about a problem if you don’t get it fixed.

What Tests Can You Perform Yourself?

As well as the annual tests that need to be performed by a professional, you also need to check certain components of your sprinkler system more regularly.

For example, you need to conduct flow tests every quarter to make sure that water flows freely and easily through the system. You should also do visual inspections of the pipe work and different elements of the system to look for corrosion. 

While you only legally need to hire a professional for tests and inspections on an annual basis, it might be worth considering using professional testers for quarterly checks as well, especially if you have a larger property or a complicated system. Even when doing DIY tests, you need to make sure you know what potential problems to look out for.

There’s no such thing as testing your fire sprinkler system too regularly. Make sure that you’re familiar with the regulations and at least do the bare minimum of tests, but there’s no harm in doing DIY tests even more often. 

The important thing is to keep track of your tests and what you’ve observed. Document what you’ve done each week, including your observations and any actions that you’ve taken. For example, if you do notice signs of corrosion, make sure to hire a fire sprinkler expert to do further checks of the pipes and potentially repair any damage.

What to Expect During a Professional Fire Sprinkler Test

One of the reasons that a professional fire sprinkler test is required each year is that the testers do a much more thorough inspection of your sprinkler system as a whole. They’ll then document everything they’ve found, which is great for your compliance with UK fire safety regulations, and your personal use, as you know what might need repairs in the future. 

The test itself will include:

Visual Inspection

Testers will look at the pipes and all of the elements of the system to see if there are signs of damage, leaks, or corrosion. They will also do obstruction tests to look for any debris buildup in the system that could interfere with water flow. 

If any issues are found, it might involve replacing parts or cleaning the system to get rid of debris.

Flow Testing

Flow testing checks that the water source can deliver the right amount of water to the sprinkler heads, and with the right amount of pressure. So, in a fire, you can trust that your sprinklers will activate properly and release enough water to deal with the fire.

Pipe Tests

There are a few tests to make sure that the pipes are in good condition, including hydrostatic testing and dry pipe testing.

Hydrostatic testing involves injecting high-pressure water, which can identify leaks or weaknesses in the system. Dry pipe testing checks that your sprinkler system will work in freezing conditions.

Alarm Testing

Your sprinkler system should activate with your fire alarm system, so professionals will also inspect the sensors and alarm system to make sure everything works together. As well as letting people in the building know about the fire, your alarm system can also contact emergency services, saving precious seconds.

Why regular testing

Regular fire sprinkler testing keeps your property and occupants safe, and makes sure that you’re following British fire safety standards. As well as DIY checks and tests, your routine should include annual professional inspections to make sure that you’re fully legally compliant. Professional fire sprinkler maintenance and testing are by no means an optional extra.