ISO Sprinkler Inspection: What You Need to Know

Are you prepared for an ISO inspection, especially those which include the evaluation of your company’s sprinkler system?

It’s okay if you feel a little unprepared.

And in case your answer to that question is yes, we have the perfect set of tips for you.

Courtesy of our partners at Cincinnati Insurance, here are documents and tips you’ll need to get ready for your ISO inspection:

1. Name Plate with a Hydraulic Design: You’ll need a placard with the design criteria for each area that is secured to the applicable risers based on the company who installed the system.
2. Blueprints with the System Design: Your sprinkler blueprints should include information on the underground piping for your sprinkler system. The information or details should be given based on the size and type of underground piping that was used to supply the sprinkler system. The plans should also indicate where the water flow test was used in the sprinkler calculations that was conducted.
3. Material and Test Certificate from the Contractor for Aboveground Piping: Be sure to contact your sprinkler contractor and request that they provide the Test Certificate for Aboveground Hydrostatic Testing. Keep the original documentation on file.
4. Material and Test Certificate from the Contractor for Underground Piping: Be sure to contact your sprinkler contractor and request that they provide the Test Certificate for Underground Flushing. Keep the original documentation on file.
5. Get Verification of the 2” Main Drain Test: There should be documentation attached to the riser to indicate the results of the last main drain test. Make sure this drain and alarm test is conducted and completed at least annually. Remember to keep other inspection and test documentation in a dedicated file as well.
6. Obtain: As-built Drawings of the Contractor’s Installation.
7. Obtain: The Contractor’s Hydraulic Calculations.
8. Have Your Alarm Monitoring Certificate on Hand: Check to see if you have a document from the company that monitors the sprinkler system alarm. This document describes what type of alarm is installed, who monitors it, and whether the sprinkler system is UL certified.
9. Get Verification Showing the Alarm is Wired to a Locked, Dedicated Circuit: Contact your contractor and request that they verify your sprinkler system alarm is wired to a dedicated circuit. This circuit should be locked so that it cannot be inadvertently or intentionally turned off.
10. Get Cooking System Fire Suppression System Certificate: Make sure your installation contractor provides you with a document that shows the system was installed and approved by the local authority.

Additional Tips and Info to Keep in Mind

Please note that supply of spare sprinkler heads that are readily available. See the list of supply spare sprinkler heads to the number of sprinkler heads in the system below:

Number of Spare Sprinkler Heads to Number of Sprinkler Heads in the System:

• 6 spare sprinkler heads for 300 sprinkler heads or under
• 12 spare sprinkler heads for 300 to 1000 sprinkler heads
• 24 spare sprinkler heads for over 1000 sprinkler heads

*Note: NFPA 13 requires a minimum of 2 sprinklers for each type and a separate wrench for each type.

Don’t Forget

We’ll conclude with these final tips.

Be sure your sprinkler system has fire department connections that are capped & accessible.

Make sure your risers are accessible and that there aren’t any combustibles or flammable items stored near it.

Finally, double check that your gauges are readable.

And there you have it.

If you have any additional preparation questions and concerns regarding your inspection, feel free to reach out to us and we’ll be glad to help!

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