Blog

Why Fire Sprinkler, Extinguisher, and Backflow Inspections Matter

July 1, 2025|FSSTechnologies

At FSS Technologies, we believe that safety isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Our commercial fire protection services are designed to give your business peace of mind, knowing that your properties, people, and assets are secure and compliant with fire and life safety codes.

We specialize in fire sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, and backflow preventer inspections to provide comprehensive solutions that help keep your systems ready when every second matters. Learn more about our inspection standards and the common issues we find and resolve.

Why do inspections matter?

Routine inspections are critical—not only for maintaining safety but also for ensuring that your systems comply with local, state, and national codes and standards issued by organizations like the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Whether it’s an automatic sprinkler system, a portable fire extinguisher, or a backflow prevention device, these systems must be inspected and tested regularly to ensure they’re fully operational in the event of an emergency.

Neglecting to schedule routine inspections could lead to:

How do fire sprinkler system inspections work?

Fire sprinklers are the first line of defense in your commercial fire system that can reduce the damaging effects of an active blaze. Per NFPA 25, these systems require:

  • Quarterly inspections for valve positions and gauges
  • Annual inspections of mechanical parts and water flow
  • 5-year internal pipe assessments to check for blockages or corrosion

During our inspections, we check for common fire sprinkler system deficiencies like:

  • Closed or improperly positioned control valves
  • Leaking or corroded sprinkler heads
  • Improperly supported piping
  • Missing signage or identification tags

Man inspecting fire extinguisher

What matters in a fire extinguisher inspection?

Portable extinguishers are a critical tool in containing different classes of fires until first responders can arrive and help your business. According to NFPA 10, fire extinguishers must be:

  • Visually inspected monthly
  • Fully inspected and maintained annually
  • Hydrostatically tested every 5-12 years, depending on the type
  • Replaced every 10-12 years

Our team ensures that every portable extinguisher in your building has:

  • Proper placement and accessibility
  • No physical damage, corrosion, or pressure loss
  • Up-to-date inspection tags and clear labeling

Our service technicians at FSS Technologies often find issues such as:

  • Expired units that are partially or entirely ineffective
  • Incorrect extinguisher material types for relevant hazards
  • Blocked extinguishers that can delay emergency responses

What’s required in backflow inspections?

Backflow preventers keep contaminated water from flowing back into your clean water supply. Backflow prevention is a critical safety measure for any building’s plumbing and fire protection systems. Local water authorities and plumbing codes typically require annual inspections and testing.

Common deficiencies related to backflow preventers include:

  • Broken or leaking valves
  • Improper installation height
  • Missing test ports or data tags
  • Failed pressure differential tests

Our certified technicians ensure that every device is tested, repaired, or replaced to meet code requirements. By inspecting your backflow prevention systems to meet standards, you can better protect the health and safety of your building’s occupants.

Our commitment to service and excellence

At FSS Technologies, we don’t just provide inspections—we partner with you to ensure the long-term reliability and compliance of your fire protection systems. Our technicians are NICET-certified, fully trained, and equipped with cutting-edge tools to perform thorough, efficient fire safety inspections. We also provide detailed digital reports, track maintenance schedules, and help you plan for repairs or system upgrades to avoid unanticipated costs or failures.

Safety is our business. Excellence is our standard. Whether you’re managing a single facility or a large campus, we’re here to help you stay safe, compliant, and prepared. Contact our team today to schedule your next inspection or speak with a fire protection expert.

Explore Our Other Blogs

2019-12_FSSTechnologies_blogs_cost-monitoring-vs-break-in_hero-min

The Cost of Alarm Monitoring vs. the Cost of a Break-In

Property crime in the United States is costly. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, property crimes in 2018 resulted in an estimated $16.4 billion of losses. The Cost of Crime Larceny-theft is the most common of all property crimes, accounting for 73.4 percent. Larceny-theft is defined as the unlawful taking, carry, leading,…

Continue reading
FSS_DecBlog_OPT_SmartHomeAgingAdults_Hero

Smart Home Technology for Aging Adults

Alzheimer’s Awareness Around 75% of seniors want to stay in their homes as they age, according to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), even if they need day-to-day assistance or have ongoing health issues like early-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 5.8 million Americans are living with the disease, and by…

Continue reading
what-to-do-after-burglary-hero-min

What to Do if Someone Breaks into Your House

Arriving home to find that your home has been burglarized is one of the worst feelings someone can have. You’re left feeling raw, vulnerable, and angry. In this time of high stress, it may be hard to put your thoughts together to remember everything that now needs to be done. We have put together a list…

Continue reading
Heroalarmbeeping-min

The Top 5 Reasons Why Your Smoke Alarm Is Beeping

Do you hear a faint chirping noise coming from the back hallway or the basement? Don’t ignore it. It might be your smoke detector. Smoke detectors are designed to chirp or beep when they need servicing. Common Reasons for Smoke Alarm to Beep When the battery in your smoke alarm is starting to get weak,…

Continue reading
2020-02_FSSTechnologies_blogs_landlord-security-system_hero

The Ins and Outs of Installing a Security System as a Landlord

Buying a home is one of the most significant investments a person can make. You upgrade your home in many ways—a fresh coat of paint, a landscaping project, or possibly adding a security system. If you go a step further and invest in rental properties, you have to do all those things and more to…

Continue reading
Hero-keyless

The Benefits of Keyless Access Control

As your organization grows and evolves, managing physical access becomes increasingly complex. Traditional keys often struggle to keep pace with changing employee roles, multiple locations, and heightened security expectations. These issues don’t just cause minor issues—they create risks that can impact productivity, compliance, and overall security. Keyless access provides a modern approach to commercial access…

Continue reading
Hero-EntryPoint_Integration

Can Your CCTV and Access Control Systems be Integrated?

When setting up security for your business, you might consider adding CCTV and access control systems. These two security measures work great to deter crime on their own, and provide even greater security when integrated. This pairing has many advantages, but it is also a complex setup that may not be right for you. There…

Continue reading
Hero-5-fire-safe-min

5 Common Fire Safety Violations

For business owners, maintaining a commercial fire safety system is crucial for day-to-day protection. Ensuring your system and its components are in order is especially important when your business’ fire inspection occurs each year. Even if you do everything you can to prepare for your next fire inspection, you may only realize you missed something…

Continue reading
fire-inspection-faqs-hero-min

FAQs About Fire Alarm Inspections

Fire alarm inspections are a critical part of protecting people, property, and business continuity. For commercial building owners, property managers, and facility teams, these inspections are not just a regulatory obligation—they are an essential safeguard that helps ensure fire alarm systems will function when they are needed most. Understanding how fire alarm inspections work, what…

Continue reading
small-business-security-tips-hero-min

7 Tips For Small Business Security

We hope it never happens to you, but workplace crime is something that all business owners should be prepared to encounter. With one-third of our life spent at work, it is an important place to secure and monitor for your safety, and that of your employees. Luckily, there are many simple, proactive steps you can…

Continue reading
24h emergency
Secure My Space