Could anyone identify if the Admin. Code of Virginia adopted and incorporated NFPA 25 in its 1999 Supplement relating to the requirement for Fire Sprinkler Systems to be inspected monthly, to include flow testing and testing/checking of all valves?
If so, how were businesses and users notified of this amendment?
At risk of over simplifying a response, 13VAC5-51-31 is the Virginia Register cite and language whereby the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC) incorporates by reference the 2003 Edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) to be an enforceable part of the SFPC. (The IFC code is alluded to in Title 27-97 of the Code of Viginia by virtue of the fact that the selected model code is the companion document to the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC).) Subsequently, technical changes to the model code have been made but none specific to your question.
SFPC Section 901.6.1 and Table 901.6.1 references NFPA 25, the '98 edition, for testing, inspection and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems. It is important to note the definition of words such as "inspection", "tests" and "maintenance". Here again, at the risk of over-simplying things, "inspection" is seeing things appear to be in working order; "tests" is doing something to prove it works; and "maintenance" is repair and preventative maintenance. To one degree or another, inspections, tests and maintenance are to be performed by qualified personnel. Some elements of "weekly/monthly inspections" can be performed by building occupants or other personnel that perform other normal duties.
Table 2-1 of NFPA 25-98 provides a summary of sprinkler system insepction, testing and maintenance. I'm assuming you're a building or system owner and I would, based on that assumption, suggest you contact your local fire official to make arrangements to view a copy of the NFPA standard.
As to how businesses and users get notified of these "amendments", that is a process that normally involves the local fire official helping to get-the-word-out. This office and agency does not have a process that provides direct notification to all business owners and users. We rely heavily upon the notifications made to or through the Virginia Register, trade associations, local fire officials, system service providers, and word-of-mouth to help get the message out.
Glenn A. Dean, CFO, CBO
Department of Housing and Community Development, State Fire Marshal's Office
