NICET ITWBS cheat sheet

NFPA 25 governs inspection, testing, and maintenance of existing water-based fire protection systems; NFPA 13 governs new sprinkler system design and installation.

NFPA 14 covers standpipe and hose system design and installation; NFPA 25 covers their inspection, testing, and maintenance after acceptance.

NFPA 20 covers stationary fire pumps, including installation and acceptance testing; NFPA 25 covers routine pump inspection and testing.

NFPA 72 covers initiating devices and alarm signaling; waterflow alarm testing interfaces with NFPA 25 inspection requirements.

NFPA 291 provides recommended practice for fire flow testing and marking of hydrants.

NFPA 1962 covers care, use, inspection, service testing, and replacement of fire hose.

When editions differ, the edition adopted by the authority having jurisdiction and local amendments control.

A reference standard cited by the building code is enforceable only as adopted; not every NFPA document applies automatically.

Isolate and lock out fire pump controllers, alarm circuits, and control valves before work that could cause unexpected operation.

Verify impairment notification and fire watch requirements before disabling detection, suppression, or alarm signaling.

Use PPE matched to the hazard: eye and face protection, hearing protection, gloves, and fall protection where required.

Treat fire pump controller line terminals as energized until verified dead; stored-energy capacitors may remain charged.

Use confined-space procedures for pits, vaults, and tanks; test the atmosphere before entry and maintain an attendant and retrieval system.

Hot work near sprinkler piping requires a permit, fire watch, and protection of fusible sprinkler elements from heat.

Keep access to valves, pump rooms, and standpipe connections unobstructed; stored material must not block them.

Pneumatic and hydrostatic testing can create stored energy; exclude personnel from test areas and use rated gauges and hoses.

At 100 percent rated flow, a centrifugal fire pump must produce at least 100 percent of rated pressure.

At 150 percent rated flow, a centrifugal fire pump must produce at least 65 percent of rated pressure.

Churn or shutoff pressure of a centrifugal fire pump generally must not exceed 140 percent of rated pressure.

Net pump pressure equals discharge gauge pressure minus suction gauge pressure, with gauge elevation and calibration corrections.

An annual fire pump flow test measures suction pressure, discharge pressure, and flow, then compares results with the rated curve and prior tests.

A fire pump controller in RUN permits automatic starting; in OFF or STOP, automatic starting is disabled and fire protection is impaired.

During a hydrant flow test, residual pressure should not fall below about 20 psi; lower residual indicates a limited supply.

Available fire flow is commonly expressed as flow at 20 psi residual pressure, estimated from hydrant flow test data.

The main drain test records static and residual pressure; comparison with prior results detects supply changes, closed valves, or obstructions.

Gauges on wet-pipe systems are inspected monthly; unexplained pressure changes can indicate leaks, closed valves, or supply problems.

Sprinkler head inspection checks for corrosion, paint, damage, loading, proper orientation, and adequate spare head inventory.

Verify deflector position and clearance against NFPA 13 installation criteria; record deficiencies for correction.

The inspector test connection simulates one sprinkler flow and verifies waterflow alarm, pressure switch, and retard chamber operation.

Dry pipe systems require air pressure records and trip testing to verify valve operation, water delivery, alarms, and reset.

Preaction and deluge systems require testing of detection and releasing circuits, valve operation, and alarms per manufacturer and NFPA 25.

Sprinkler piping inspection checks hangers, bracing, corrosion, leaks, and seismic clearances; deficiencies are recorded.

Class I standpipes provide 2.5-inch hose connections for fire department use; Class II provides 1.5-inch hose stations for occupant use; Class III provides both.

NFPA 14 generally requires 100 psi residual pressure at the topmost 2.5-inch outlet and 65 psi at the topmost 1.5-inch hose station.

Standpipe hydrostatic testing is generally 200 psi for two hours or 50 psi above maximum system pressure, whichever is greater.

Standpipe flow testing verifies flow and pressure at the hydraulically most remote outlet and compares results with design demand.

Hose valve inspection checks caps, threads, valve operation, leakage, and accessibility.

Hose station inspection checks hose condition, nozzle, rack or reel, cabinet, and unobstructed access.

Fire department connections require inspection of caps, threads, gaskets, clappers, signage, and access.

Pressure-regulating valves require verification of outlet pressure and flow under test conditions per manufacturer and NFPA 25.

Control valves are inspected for open position and supervision; an unsupervised or closed control valve is an impairment.

An OS&Y valve is open when the stem extends from the yoke and closed when the stem is retracted.

Butterfly valves require position indicators and supervisory switches; verify full open and full closed positions.

A check valve permits one-way flow; inspect for leakage, stuck clapper, and correct orientation.

Alarm check valve trim includes the retarding chamber, pressure switches, and gauges; the inspector test verifies alarm operation.

A dry pipe valve is held closed by air pressure on the system side and water pressure on the supply side; trip testing verifies operation.

Pressure-reducing and regulating valves require verification of inlet and outlet pressures, flow capacity, strainer condition, and bypass status.

Valve tamper switches signal an off-normal valve position to the fire alarm panel; testing verifies signal and restoration.

Each inspection or test record identifies the date, system and component, tester, results, and deficiencies found.

Impairment records document affected systems, start and end times, notifications, fire watch, and restoration.

Deficiency records describe the condition, location, and corrective action or recommendation and are tracked until closed.

Test equipment calibration records support the validity of flow, pressure, and alarm test results.

NFPA 25 records are made available to the authority having jurisdiction and retained per the adopted edition and owner requirements.

Acceptance test records establish baselines for pump curves, main drain results, and alarm response times.

Reports distinguish critical deficiencies requiring immediate action from noncritical items.

Digital records require backup, secure access, and clear date or signature verification.