901.6 Inspection, testing and maintenance

Fire detection and alarm systems, emergency alarm systems, gas detection systems, fire extinguishing systems, mechanical smoke exhaust systems, and smoke and heat vents shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times, and shall be replaced or repaired where defective. Nonrequired fire protection systems and equipment shall be inspected, tested and maintained or removed.

All fire alarm systems, fire detection systems, automatic sprinkler or extinguishing systems, communication systems, and all other equipment, material or systems required by these regulations shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times in accordance with this code and California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1. Upon disruption or diminishment of the fire protective qualities of such equipment, material or systems, immediate action shall be instituted to effect a reestablishment of such equipment, material or systems to their original normal and operational condition.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1.14] Maintenance.

Every fire alarm system or device, sprinkler system, fire extinguisher, fire hose, fire-resistive assembly or any other fire safety assembly, device, material or equipment installed and retained in service in any building or structure subject to California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1 regulations shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1 regulations and with their intended use.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §3.24] Maintenance of Equipment.

All fire alarm systems, fire detection systems, automatic sprinkler or extinguishing systems, communication systems, and all other equipment, material or systems required by California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1 shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times. Upon disruption or diminishment of the fire protective qualities of such equipment, material or systems, immediate action shall be instituted to effect a reestablishment of such equipment material or systems to their original normal and operational condition.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904(a)] Required Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Frequencies.

1. All automatic fire extinguishing systems, including systems installed as an alternate to other building requirements, shall be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the following frequencies. Local authorities may require more frequent inspection, testing and maintenance and additional procedures.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904(a)(1)] Required Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Frequencies.

1. Water-based fire protection systems shall be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the frequencies required by NFPA 25 (2011 edition) including Annexes A, B, C, D, E, F and G as amended by the State of California. (Published as NFPA 25, 2013 California Edition.)

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904(b)] Required Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Frequencies.

1. (b) When proof of the installation date of standpipe systems or automatic fire sprinkler systems cannot be furnished, such systems shall receive initial testing and maintenance by July 1, 1985.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(a)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

1. All testing and maintenance on automatic fire extinguishing systems in accordance with Health & Safety Code Section 13195 shall be performed by those licensed in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 13196.5.

   Exceptions:

   1. The State Fire Marshal may waive, in writing, licensing of fire departments which conduct fire sprinkler and standpipe system testing and maintenance.
   2. Service on fire alarm systems and industrial systems as specified in Health and Safety Code Sections 13196.5(b) and (c) may be conducted without a license.
   3. Testing and maintenance on automatic fire extinguishing systems exempted in writing by the State Fire Marshal, when the building owner or occupant has the staff and equipment to conduct testing and maintenance.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(b)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

1. (b) Any testing and maintenance of automatic fire extinguishing systems shall be performed in accordance with these requirements.

   Exceptions:

   1. The State Fire Marshal may waive, in writing, the requirement that testing and maintenance be performed in accordance with these requirements when a licensee can demonstrate that a system cannot functionally be tested and maintained in accordance with the California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 5.

   2. If at any time a licensee encounters a specialized or modified system which cannot be tested and maintained in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 5, the licensee shall contact the State Fire Marshal and test and maintain the system as directed.

      1. The intent of this section is to cover automatic fire extinguishing systems as originally designed, installed and approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. It is not, however, intended to require that such systems be upgraded to current adopted standards.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(h)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

1. (h) At the time of testing and maintenance, building management shall be consulted to avoid unnecessary disturbance of normal building operation.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(i)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

1. The licensee shall contact the local fire authority having jurisdiction prior to testing and maintenance of a system when required by the local fire authority having jurisdiction to do so.

Fire protection systems shall be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the referenced standards listed in Table 901.6.1 and California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, Chapters 3 and 5.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.1(a)] Inspection Requirements.

1. A license shall not be required to perform inspections. Inspections may be conducted by any person designated by the building owner or occupant who has developed competence through training and experience.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(g)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

1. (g) Prior to activating any fire alarm component of an automatic fire extinguishing system, the licensee shall insure that the licensee is capable of restoring the fire alarm system.

Records of all system inspections, tests and maintenance required by the referenced standards shall be maintained.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.1(b)] Inspection Requirements.

1. (b) Records of all inspections shall be retained on the premises by the building or system owner for a period of five years after the next required inspection.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(c)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

1. (c) Records of all testing and maintenance shall be retained on the premises by the building or system owner for a period of five years after the next required test or maintenance.

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §904.2(j)] Testing and Maintenance Requirements.

1. (j) It is the responsibility of the contractor, company or licensee to provide a written report of the test and maintenance results to the building owner and the local fire authority having jurisdiction at the completion of the testing and maintenance.