Fire Sprinklers

Dyne Fire Protection Labs, an NFPA Global Solutions company, provides independent laboratory testing for fire sprinklers. Testing is conducted to confirm that sprinklers are staying in compliance.

Fire sprinkler systems are exposed to water quality issues, corrosion, MIC, aging components, and environmental factors that may affect performance throughout their service life. These conditions can influence system operation, water distribution, and the ability of sprinklers to respond as intended during a fire event. Fire sprinkler testing provides valuable information to evaluate system performance, identify potential deficiencies, and support compliance with applicable NFPA 25 inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements.

Why Sprinkler Testing Compliance Matters

Fire sprinkler performance can change throughout a system's service life in ways that may not be identified through visual inspection alone. Corrosion, obstruction, coating degradation, loading, and other age-related conditions can affect sprinkler operation and performance. Periodic testing provides objective data that can be used to evaluate sprinkler conditions and determine whether maintenance, further investigation, or replacement may be necessary.

NFPA 25 requires periodic testing of fire sprinklers to evaluate continued performance against established acceptance criteria. Test results can be used to support maintenance decisions, identify potential deficiencies, and demonstrate compliance with applicable inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements.

Fire Sprinkler Testing Overview

NFPA 25 requires building owners to have a sample of the installed sprinklers tested by a recognized testing lab, Dyne tests the response time of the sprinklers to confirm the sprinklers will release in a specified amount of time when exposed to a defined temperature and air flow. The acceptable response time is based on a response time index (RTI). The RTI requirements are listed below. Note that a sprinkler coated with a material for corrosion resistance (wax for example) is allowed extra time as defined in UL 199. The response time of the coated standard response sprinkler is 180 seconds or the maximum response time (whichever is greater).

Sprinkler Definitions:

ESFR RTI value less than 50 (meters-seconds)1/2

Fast Response RTI value less than 65 (meters-seconds) 1/2

Standard Response RTI value less than 350 (meters-seconds) 1/2

If the response time does not meet the RTI requirement, the sprinkler response time will be marked as “FAIL”. Failure to meet the RTI requirement may result from, but are not limited to, the following:

Loading
Corrosion
Paint (other than that applied by manufacture)
Missing fluid in glass bulb (if applicable)

Additionally, sprinklers that failed to release due to the release mechanism not activating, the water seal not releasing, or pressure loss not being detected due to a blocked waterway will be marked as “FAIL” on the report. If a sprinkler fails to meet the response requirements as defined above, all sprinklers within the area represented by the failure shall be replaced per NFPA 25 2026 Ed. Section 5.3.1.3.

Key Capabilities Include:

Dyne will also provide an image of the waterway following the response time test. The image of the sprinkler waterway post-testing can be used to help identify any obstructions that may still impede functionality.
Response time testing to verify that sprinklers activate within the performance criteria established by NFPA 25 and applicable UL listing standards.
Evaluation of sprinkler thermal sensitivity and operation characteristics for standard response, fast response, ESFR, CMSA, and dry sprinklers.
Testing of representative field samples in accordance with NFPA 25 requirements, helping owners determine whether sprinklers can remain in service or require replacement.
Documentation of test results to support inspection, testing, and maintenance records and demonstrate compliance with NFPA 25 field service testing requirements.
Identification of performance degradation that may not be visible during routine visual inspections, including conditions that can affect sprinkler activation and reliability.
Testing support for aging sprinklers, dry sprinklers, fast response sprinklers, ESFR sprinklers, CMSA sprinklers, and sprinklers installed in harsh environments requiring periodic field service testing.

Free Sprinkler Sample Kits

Quantity Needed

1 kit = room for 4 sprinklers (minimum of 4 sprinklers required by NFPA 25)

2 kits = room for up to 8 sprinklers

3 kits = room for up to 12 sprinklers

Description

Kits are shipped via UPS Ground at no cost in the contiguous United States (limited free 1-way shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Canada, inquire for details), payment information is needed when samples arrive for testing
Each kit contains four sprinkler labeling bands, foam packing material with room for four standard size sprinklers (larger sprinklers will need to be packed by the customer), a return UPS label, and a return form
Standard turn-around is 5 business days
Expedited shipping and testing (24 hour) is available, please contact us for pricing

Free Dry Sprinkler Sample Kits

Quantity Needed

(minimum of 4 sprinklers required by NFPA 25)

1 kit = room for 1 dry sprinkler

2 kits = room for 2 dry sprinklers

3 kits = room for 3 dry sprinklers

Description

Dry Sprinkler Kits contain packaging and paperwork for 1 dry sprinkler. The telescoping box is adjustable in size to fit each sprinkler securely.

Return shipping is not included, and any return shipping charged to Dyne will be added to your invoice.

Small: holds one (1) dry sprinkler up to 20"

Large: holds one (1) dry sprinkler up to 21" to 42"

Standard turn-around is 5 business days
Expedited shipping and testing (24 hour) is available, please contact us for pricing

How Fire Sprinkler Testing Reduces Risk and Supports Compliance

Fire sprinkler testing helps reduce risk by identifying performance issues, deterioration, and operating characteristics that may affect a sprinkler's ability to function as intended during a fire event. Over time, corrosion, obstruction, mechanical damage, environmental exposure, manufacturing defects, and age-related degradation can impact sprinkler performance in ways that are not always apparent through visual inspection alone. Left unaddressed, these conditions can compromise system reliability and increase the risk of impaired fire protection.

Laboratory testing provides objective data on sprinkler operating characteristics, including activation, water distribution, and overall condition. This information allows owners, contractors, facility managers, and fire protection professionals to make informed maintenance, replacement, and risk management decisions before performance issues lead to system failures. Testing also supports compliance with NFPA requirements, including NFPA 25 provisions for the testing of representative sprinkler samples and the evaluation of sprinklers that may be affected by age, environmental conditions, corrosion, loading, or physical damage.

By proactively evaluating sprinkler performance and documenting system conditions, fire sprinkler testing helps protect life safety, maintain system reliability, support code compliance, and extend the service life of fire protection system components.

Fire Sprinkler Accreditations

Dyne is accredited for ISO/IEC 17025 - Mechanical Testing of Automatic Field Sprinklers.
Dyne is also ISO 9001 Certified.

Relevant Fire Sprinkler Standards and Test Methods

NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems (*Testing fulfills NFPA 25 2023 Edition 5.3.1.1.)
Procedure based on UL 199, Edition 13 (Section 33.2 and NFPA 25 2023 Edition 5.3.1.1.)

What types of samples are tested?

Dyne Fire Protection Labs tests all types of fire sprinklers:

• Standard

• Fast Response

• Dry

When is Fire Sprinkler testing typically required?

See fire sprinkler testing intervals chart (link).

How are test results delivered?

Test results are delivered via email within 5 business days or less from the receipt of the sample(s). System tags for passing samples are mailed via USPS by request on the sample return form.

Do dry sprinklers need to be tested?

Yes dry sprinklers are also required to be tested. In fact, dry sprinklers have been shown to be more likely to fail sooner in the field and as a result, they must be either replaced or tested every 20 years (previous versions 15 years) and every 10 years after that.

How should I mark or label each sprinkler?

We provide sprinkler tags in our kits, but we also have a downloadable PDF (link) under Resources that you can use to make tags. We recommend that the sprinklers are labeled to match the sprinkler sample return form (ie #1 office, #2 garage, #3 warehouse, #4 lab).

Who should I contact to get started?

You can contact Dyne Fire Protection Labs to discuss your testing needs.

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Why NFPA Global Solutions Fire Sprinkler Testing

Dyne Fire Protection Labs, an NFPA Global Solutions company, is a full-service NFPA 25 testing laboratory that combines fire protection industry expertise with specialized fire sprinkler testing services. Our approach focuses on providing objective laboratory data that helps organizations evaluate sprinkler performance, support inspection and maintenance programs, and make informed decisions related to system reliability, compliance, and life safety.

With more than 25 years of testing experience, we understand the challenges associated with maintaining fire sprinkler systems throughout their service life. Environmental conditions, corrosion, obstructions, water quality issues, mechanical damage, and age-related deterioration can all affect sprinkler performance in ways that are not always apparent during visual inspections. Our testing services help organizations assess sprinkler operating characteristics, document results, and maintain confidence that their systems will perform as intended when needed.

Testing Advantages:

Test reports in 5-business days or less (with rush 24-hour turn-around available)
Free Standard Sprinkler and Dry Sprinkler sample kits
Free shipping within the contiguous United States (limited free 1-way shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Canada, inquire for details)
Comprehensive reports and system tags
Online access to results and return forms
Immediate communication with our quality technicians and customer service staff

Order Your Sprinkler Kit

Request your free Standard or Dry Sprinkler sample kit and connect with our team to discuss your testing needs. We can help determine sample requirements, answer questions about the testing process, and provide guidance on submitting samples for evaluation. If you have questions, contact us at (800) 632-2304 or dyne.lab@nfpaglobal.com.

Order today

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