Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance
Inspection, testing, and maintenance are not the same
Inspection is visual (batteries, tamper switches, obstruction, labeling). Testing is functional (smoke entry, heat response, waterflow, signal transmission). Maintenance is repair or replacement. NFPA 72 Chapter 14 sets the frequencies: most initiating devices, control equipment, and notification appliances are tested annually, with some items at semiannual intervals - always confirm the table in the adopted edition. Smoke detector sensitivity must be checked within one year of installation and every alternate year thereafter. Batteries are inspected and load-tested, and standby power is verified.
The process matters as much as the device test. Notify the AHJ and the supervising station before disabling anything, use an approved test method (listed aerosol or smoke for smoke detectors - a magnet only tests the alarm relay, not smoke entry), verify the signal at the panel and at the supervising station, then restore the system. Document results on the Record of Inspection and Testing and retain the records. Impairments require notification, a fire watch where required, and documentation.
Traps: calling a visual check a "test"; testing a duct detector with a magnet and claiming smoke response; failing to verify central-station receipt; leaving a system bypassed; mixing quarterly and annual frequencies; and forgetting that sensitivity testing is separate from the annual functional test.
Worked example: annual test of a corridor smoke detector - notify monitoring and occupants, place the zone in test, introduce listed aerosol, confirm alarm at the panel and at the central station, reset, confirm normal, and record the device ID and result. Rule of thumb: if you did not verify the signal where someone will actually receive it, you did not finish the test.