Managing Fire Protection Systems: Inspection, Maintenance, and Testing

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Interpret and apply applicable building and fire codes governing fire protection inspection and maintenance
• Evaluate the performance requirements of fire protection systems and their critical components
• Plan and oversee inspection and maintenance activities for fire protection equipment across a facility
• Assess egress, fire access, and emergency support systems to support occupant safety and emergency response
• Develop or update a compliant, defensible fire protection inspection and maintenance program for your facility

Description

Maintaining the integrity of fire protection systems is a critical responsibility for those overseeing buildings, facilities, and operations. Fire codes and standards place ongoing obligations on owners and operators, not only to install these systems correctly, but to ensure they continue to perform as intended throughout the life of the facility. Gaps in inspection, maintenance, or documentation can increase risk to occupants, disrupt operations, and expose organizations to regulatory and insurance consequences.

This course provides a structured, practical overview of the inspection, maintenance and testing requirements for common fire protection systems found in institutional, commercial, and industrial facilities. You will work through applicable Canadian codes and standards, including the National Building Code, the National Fire Code, and relevant NFPA and ULC standards, while examining real‑world responsibilities from the perspectives of both facility owners and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs).

Through guided exercises and examples, you will leave with the knowledge needed to evaluate your current fire protection program, justify required resources, and apply a practical inspection and maintenance checklist tailored to your own facility.

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for:

• Facility managers and supervisors in institutional, commercial, and industrial environments
• Engineers and technologists responsible for building systems and regulatory compliance
• Plant operations and maintenance personnel overseeing fire protection systems
• Professionals responsible for fire safety planning, inspections, or contractor oversight
• Insurance and risk management representatives involved in fire protection compliance

Day 1

Code Enforcement

• Owner(s) responsibility
• Fire Official’s perspective as the Authority Having Jurisdiction “AHJ”
• Enforcement process

Codes and Regulations

• National Building Code
• National Fire Code
• Definitions for inspect, test and check
• Scheduling Inspections
• Records
• Logbooks

Sprinkler Systems

• Types of systems
• System components
• Types of heads
• Alarms
• Fire Department connections
• NFPA 13 Standard
• NFPA 25 Standard
• Inspection and maintenance

Fire Pumps and Water Supply

• Pumps and pump drivers
• Piping and valves
• Heat tracing
• Control panels
• Drafting tubes and water reservoirs
• Inspection and maintenance

Fire Hydrants

• Markings
• Signage
• Inspection and maintenance

Day II

Personnel Egress/Exiting

• Means of egress
• Exits
• Access to exits
• Doors, crash bars and door closures
• Elevators
• Travel distances
• Occupant loads
• Inspection and maintenance

Exercise

Fire Access Routes

• National Building Code requirements
• Signage
• Gates

Fire Safety Plans

• Emergency organization structure
• Emergency evacuation plan
• Training and drills
• Annual review requirements

Exercise

Emergency Lighting

• Generators, batteries
• Testing
• Inspection and maintenance

Kitchen Suppression Systems

• System components
• Extinguishing agents
• NFPA 96 Standard
• Inspection and maintenance

Day III

Fire Alarm Systems

• Types
• Detectors and signals
• Control panels
• ULC listed monitoring
• Smoke alarms for residential houses
• ULC S536 Inspections Standard
• Testing
• Inspection and maintenance

Exercise

Other Fire Fighting Equipment

• Standpipe and Hose Systems
• Portable extinguishers
• Inspection and maintenance

Program Justification

• Authorities having jurisdiction over “AHJ”
• Justifying the dollar and manpower resources required
• Contracting out inspection and maintenance services
• Satisfying insurance carriers
• False alarm charges

Checklist
Participants will be provided with guidance to develop a maintenance and inspection checklist specific to their own facility. In advance, participants will be requested to bring details of their annual inspection reports and fire protection equipment.

Questions and Answers and Feedback to Participants on Achievement of Learning Outcomes