Is your fire water is a “protection/mitigation” safeguard in your Process Safety program? Most covered processes, whether toxic or flammable, will utilize firewater as a “critical utility” to help protect/mitigate a release and/or fire from the process. When this is the case, our fire water system (reservoir(s), pump(s), fire water piping, hydrants, monitor nozzles, etc.) all need to have some frequency established, as well as some means of inspection/testing. We always adopted NFPA 25 as our Fire System Inspection/Testing RAGAGEP, but it goes a tad bit further, as in some states these inspections are a REQUIREMENT even when your facility does not fall under PSM/RMP…
(emphasis added by me)
507.5.2 Inspection, testing, and maintenance.
Fire hydrant systems shall be subject to periodic tests as required by the fire code official. Fire hydrant systems shall be maintained in an operative condition at ALL TIMES and shall be repaired where defective. Additions, repairs, alterations, and servicing shall comply with approved standards. Records of tests and required maintenance shall be maintained.
The fire code official has the authority to require periodic tests and to specify the frequency of such tests. The generally accepted procedure is to inspect hydrants ANNUALLY for proper operation and drainage by opening and closing the hydrants and lubricating all threads. Section 507 also requires that WRITTEN (although electronic is acceptable) inspection and maintenance records be kept. Such records must indicate the date and time and the name of the person conducting the inspection or maintenance. These records must be maintained by the owner and should be made available to the fire code official for review when requested.
507.5.3 Private fire service mains and water tanks. Private fire service mains and water tanks shall be periodically inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25 at the following intervals:
- Private fire hydrants of all types: Inspection annually and after each operation; flow test and maintenance annually.
- Fire service main piping: Inspection of exposed, annually; flow test every five years.
- Fire service main piping strainers: Inspection and maintenance after each use.
Records of inspections, testing, and maintenance, shall be maintained.
NFPA 25 is the Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-based Fire Protection Systems. Chapter 7 of that standard covers private fire service mains and Chapter 9 covers water storage tanks. Section 507 also requires that written inspection and maintenance records be kept. Such records should indicate the date and time and the name of the person conducting the inspection or maintenance. These records must be maintained by the owner and should be made available to the fire code official for review when requested.