About this example

The apartment complex, manager and tester described here are made up. The example illustrates the planning a fire line test can involve and is not a record of a real job.

In the scenario, a two-story apartment complex near a Fullerton commercial corridor has a double check detector assembly on its fire sprinkler line, mounted on a riser beside the parking lot. A notice says the assembly is due for its annual test.

Planning the test

  1. Confirm the tester's scope

    The manager confirms the tester is certified for backflow testing and asks how they handle fire line procedures.

  2. Decide who notifies whom

    The manager agrees to call the alarm monitoring company; the tester confirms any other required notifications.

  3. Pick a time

    A weekday mid-morning is chosen, when fewer tenants are home.

  4. Tell tenants

    A notice on doors explains that fire sprinklers will be briefly out of service and asks tenants to avoid cooking with open flame during the window.

  5. Clear access

    Parking spaces around the riser are coned off the night before.

Test day

Start
Monitoring company notified; tester confirms the serial number.
Shutdown
Control valve closed; the system is out of service.
Test
Both check valves hold; the detector meter is checked.
Restore
Valves reopened and confirmed open; monitoring company told the system is back in service.
After
Report filed with the water supplier; manager keeps a copy with fire system records.

What the manager kept on file

  • The backflow test report with readings.
  • Notes on who was notified and when.
  • The tenant notice that was posted.
  • The tester's certification details.

Questions the manager asked in advance

  1. How long will the sprinklers be out of service?
  2. What happens if the assembly fails during the test?
  3. Can a repair be done the same day to avoid a long impairment?
  4. Is any permit or inspection needed for repairs? (Check with the city.)

Common questions

Is this a real apartment complex?

No. It is an invented example.

Do tenants need to leave during a fire line test?

Not usually, but they should know the system is briefly out of service.

Is the fire sprinkler inspection the same as the backflow test?

No. They are separate scopes, even if done on the same day.

General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.