FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM TESTING
Quality Assurance Program Overview
The Town of Ocean City, by adoption of Ordnance 2001-7 “Chapter 34, Article V. Quality Assurance Program,” implemented a quality assurance program in order to guarantee that fire protection systems are receiving consistent, quality service, testing, inspection and maintenance, thereby helping to ensure that they will function as intended in the event of an emergency.
The code requires the submission of an annual test certificate for the following fire protection systems:
- Fire Alarm
- Sprinkler
- Standpipe
- Fire Pump
- Emergency Generator
- Kitchen Hood Suppression System
- Smoke Control System
While this does not dismiss owners of fire protection systems from monthly, quarterly, bi-annually and annual inspections required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), this is the minimum frequency certificate(s) are required to be submitted to this office.
From 2001 until 2015, thousands of inspections were completed and documented on paper and digital Certificates of Inspections by 3rd Party Fire Protection Companies, which were forwarded and reviewed by the Fire Marshal’s Office, helping to identify, track, and correct noted deficiencies in the systems. In 2001, nearly 50% of the systems had not been tested; this number dropped to approximately 13% in 2014. To date, approximately 2500 systems are managed annually in the program.
Online Certificate Submission
Over the last several years, the Fire Marshal’s Office has been exploring ways to further improve the efficiency of this successful program, to alleviate administrative tasks and refocus personnel efforts on lack of testing, maintenance, and deficiency correction. By adoption of Ordnance 2015-14, the Mayor and City Council supported this endeavor by authorizing the Fire Marshal’s Office to select and utilize a third-party or vendor system for the submission and collection of completed certificates of inspections. The Town of Ocean City subsequently chose The Compliance Engine™ by Brycer, to facilitate the process.
Effective October 1, 2015, contractors who perform inspection, testing and/or maintenance services on fire protection systems within the Town of Ocean City are required to electronically submit all compliant & non-compliant reports and deficiency repairs to the Fire Marshal’s Office online, via The Compliance Engine™ (www.thecomplianceengine.com). The online program also provides the Fire Marshal’s Office, fire protection companies, and owners/managers an improved communication and notification platform to ensure maintenance and testing requirements are being completed and proper documentation is received.
Fire Protection System contractors can contact Brycer directly for any training/support-related questions via email or by phone at (630) 413-9511.