Upon completion of the installation of an automatic sprinkler system, an acceptance test shall be performed by the installing contractor.
All portions of each system shall be tested for two hours at a cold water pressure of not less than 200 pounds per square inch if the normal pressure in the system does not exceed 150 pounds per square inch or at a pressure of not less than 50 pounds per square inch above the normal pressure, if such normal pressure is more than 150 pounds per square inch. Interior piping shall show no leaks. Underground piping shall show a leakage rate not greater than two quarts per hour per 100 gaskets or joints irrespective of pipe diameter.
Dry pipe systems, if tested during seasons of the year which will not permit the use of water, may be tested with air under a pressure of not less than 50 pounds per square inch.
Brine or other corrosive or toxic chemicals shall not be used for testing.
If the dry pipe valves are of the differential type, they shall be pumped up and allowed to stand 24 hours and shall show not more than one and one-half pounds per square inch loss of pressure during that period of time. A working test of each dry pipe valve shall be made before acceptance. When dry pipe valves are subjected to hydrostatic test pressures, the clapper of a differential type valve shall be held off its seat to prevent damaging the valve.
Fire pumps, air compressors, filling pumps and other equipment shall be tested for a period of two hours or such portion of this time as is necessary to show they are of the required capacities. Initial tests of fire pumps shall be made in the presence of a representative of the Fire Commissioner and the installing contractor.
Every fire pump shall provide its rated capacity at its rated pressure. Fire pumps rated at less than 1,500 GPM shall furnish at least 150 percent of the rated capacity at 65 percent of its rated pressure. The pressure at the intake side of the pump shall not be less than five pounds per square inch under any flow rate.
Fire pumps shall be tested annually by an independent contractor licensed under the Illinois Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Act. Such inspections shall be scheduled with, and may be overseen by or in the presence of, the Fire Commissioner.
(Prior code § 91-10; Amend Coun. J. 10-30-96, p. 31216, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 121; Amend Coun. J. 10-7-20, p. 21791, Art. VI, § 12)