Attention building owners:
Since January 1, 2011, New York City has adopted the National Fire Protection Association Standard 25.
What is NFPA 25?
NFPA code 25 is the standard that lays down guidelines for the proper inspection, maintenance, and testing of fire protection systems across the US. When automatic fire sprinkler systems are properly installed and maintained, they have consistently proven to be the most effective means for protecting both life and property against fire.
However, keeping your sprinkler system in optimal working condition so that it performs when called upon, requires a streamlined routine process -- NFPA 25 is that standardized process.
What it means for you and your business
If you are a building owner, you are now legally responsible to ensure that all NFPA 25 inspections and tests are performed by a licensed individual. At Buckmiller Automatic Sprinkler Corp., our technicians hold both S-12 (sprinkler) and S-13 (standpipe) Certificate of Fitness licenses, qualifying us to perform these inspections.
Also in accordance with the NFPA, you are required to keep your records of the inspection for a minimum of 3 years. Your documents must be produced to the New York City Fire Department officials when they conduct their inspection.
Ready to get an NFPA 25 inspection?
Request a FREE NFPA 25 quote today
Or get in touch with us at (212) 966-1980.
Violating NFPA guidelines have serious consequences
You could be subject to loss of your liability insurance coverage, suffer harsh fines, or even criminal charges.
We want to make sure that nightmare scenario is never a possibility for you. Our trained technicians know what's required to help you comply with the NFPA 25 guidelines. We are waiting to assist you with the visual inspections, maintenance, and testing procedures that are designed to help you reach and maintain compliance and most importantly -- give you piece of mind.
Tests and inspections we perform:
- main drain test
- sprinkler alarm system test
- sprinkler head inspection
- 5 year sprinkler and standpipe service inspection
- wet, dry, pre-action, and deluge sprinkler systems
- dry valve trip
- internal line inspection
In addition to the tests above, we also test local and central station alarms during the quarterly and annual NFPA 25 inspection, and perform visual monthly inspections.
We perform our tests on a monthly, quarterly, annually, and 5 year schedule. After our testing process, all defects are noted and reported immediately, covering all defects found in your system. After notifying you of the defects preventing you from reaching compliance, we make the repairs necessary. Afterward, you will be issued a detailed report covering the entire inspection process.
That report must be made available to the FDNY or insurance company when requested.
Ready to get an NFPA 25 inspection?
Request a FREE NFPA 25 quote today
Or get in touch with us at (212) 966-1980.
7 reasons to choose Buckmiller Sprinkler
- see what our clients say about us
- fully licensed and insured Master Fire Suppression Contractor
- combined 50+ years of experience
- experienced with systems that date back to the early 1900's
- free estimates
- 24 hour emergency service
- family owned and operated
Commonly asked questions about the inspection process
How often should my system be inspected?
The NFPA standard recommends that a full sprinkler system should be inspected at least 4 times a year by a licensed contractor. However, each component in your fire sprinkler system has its own recommended frequency of inspection. For example, For example, control valves without electronic supervision and/or chains and locks are to be checked on a weekly basis.
If you are unsure of the proper inspection/testing schedule for your system components, contact us, and we will help you set up a proper inspection schedule for each of your system components.
At Buckmiller Sprinkler, we hold the necessary Certificate of Fitness licenses (S-12 & S-13) required to perform valid NFPA inspections and we offer economical long-term service agreements for your piece of mind.
It is our goal to help you remain vigilant, catch malfunctions early or even before they start. With a detailed inspection schedule, solid reporting, repairs and more -- it will be easy to obtain the test certificates which help you comply with your insurance company and FDNY inspection requirements.
Do inspections affect my insurance rate?
Fully sprinklered buildings enjoy reduced rates only if your insurance company received verification of your system inspection. If your insurance company has no such verification of your inspection, you will pay penalties in the form of higher insurance rates.
Section 402 of the Commercial Fire Rating Schedule (CFRS) states that building owners are required to have annual inspections of their sprinkler systems in order to enjoy the "sprinklered" insurance rate.
However, if your inspections are overdue, various penalties apply.
If an inspection is overdue for up to 12 months, a 5% penalty applies. If the inspection is overdue for 12-24 months a 20% penalty applies. If an inspection is 24-36 months overdue, a 60% penalty applies. If after 36 months an inspection is still not performed, a fully sprinklered building is rated as "Unsprinklered" for the purpose of insurance, with no credit allowed.
Are you getting the full financial benefit from your sprinkler system? Even though you may be fully sprinklered, you might be spending more than you should. Check with your insurance provider about the rate for your building and get your sprinkler system inspected today.
How does inspection affect my liability?
As an owner or manager of property, you are liable if your building goes up in flames. According to the most recent court decisions, even if a sprinkler system was not required to be installed in the building lost to fire, owners were still liable and had to pay out millions of dollars.
Likewise, cases also have shown that owners or managers of buildings with fire sprinkler systems are held liable if it was shown that they failed to maintain their system in working order.
Inspections are important. As owners of commercial buildings, there is an obligation and duty to maintain safe conditions for employees and occupants. Routine inspections protect you, your occupants, your building, and your insurance contract. Our team at Buckmiller is standing by ready to advise, inspect, test, repair, report -- and most of all, put your mind at ease.
Ready to get an NFPA 25 inspection?
Request a FREE NFPA 25 quote today
Or get in touch with us at (212) 966-1980.