--- title: How Often Should You Inspect Your Fire Safety Systems? description: Guidance on how frequently you should inspect and maintain the fire safety systems in commercial and industrial facilities. image: https://www.thinkdsc.com/hubfs/smoke%20detector%20being%20inspected.png --- [Skip to the main content.](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/fire-inspection-frequency#main-content) - [Houston Office - (713) 464-8407](tel:7134648407) [![DSC Primary Logo Horizontal WTE](https://www.thinkdsc.com/hubfs/DSC%20Primary%20Logo%20Horizontal%20WTE.svg "DSC Primary Logo Horizontal WTE")](https://www.thinkdsc.com/) [![DSC Primary Logo Horizontal](https://www.thinkdsc.com/hubfs/DSC%20Primary%20Logo%20Horizontal.svg "DSC Primary Logo Horizontal")](https://www.thinkdsc.com/) - [Solutions & Services](https://www.thinkdsc.com/primary-services) - [Service, Maintenance & Inspections](https://www.thinkdsc.com/services) - [Service, Maintenance & Inspections](https://www.thinkdsc.com/services) - [Fire & Security Monitoring](https://www.thinkdsc.com/system-monitoring) - 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[![Picture of DSC](https://www.thinkdsc.com/hubfs/DSC%20Favicon.png) DSC](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/author/dsc) : Updated on December 11, 2021 [fire alarm](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/tag/fire-alarm) [fire safety](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/tag/fire-safety) [fire inspection](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/tag/fire-inspection) [fire system repair](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/tag/fire-system-repair) ![How Often Should You Inspect Your Fire Safety Systems?](https://www.thinkdsc.com/hubfs/smoke%20detector%20being%20inspected.png) In 2019, fire-related property loss costs exceeded 37 million dollars in the United States alone. While you may not often think about your fire safety systems, they serve a very important purpose.  The failure of your [fire alarm](https://www.thinkdsc.com/fire-alarm), fire suppression, or [bi-directional amplification systems](https://www.thinkdsc.com/bda-systems) risks both property damage and human lives.  It’s simply essential for your facility’s fire safety systems to function reliably, and correctly in the event of a fire related emergency. Responsible facility management, as well virtually all fire and building codes make it clear that fire alarm systems, and their components require regular inspections and maintenance.  For many facility managers and business owners, managing the schedule and record keeping for scheduled maintenance can feel overwhelming.  That’s why we’ve compiled these tips on when to schedule your fire alarm system inspections. ## **Monthly Inspection & Maintenance** Each and every month, the portable fire extinguishers in your facility should be inspected to ensure proper operating condition.  This inspection consists of the inspection of safety seals, tags, pressure gauge readings, and a review of each unit’s label. ### **Quarterly Inspection & Maintenance** Fire sprinkler systems should be inspected and maintained on a quarterly basis.  The quarterly review of fire sprinkler systems includes the inspection of mechanical water flow devices, valves, valve components, low air pressure alarms, and more.  [Contact DSC](https://www.thinkdsc.com/contact-us) for more information. ### **Semi-Annual Inspection & Maintenance** There are a few items that need to be inspected twice each year.  If your facility has a kitchen, all kitchen suppression systems will need to be inspected.  Also, if your facility utilizes magnetic door locks (“maglocks”), these should be inspected to ensure that they operate correctly in the event of fire alarm activation. ### **Annual Inspection & Maintenance** Annual fire safety inspections are the most comprehensive and task intensive periods of inspection and maintenance for your fire alarm, fire suppression, and bi-directional amplification systems.  Not surprisingly, these regularly scheduled inspections are of crucial importance to ensure the compliance and safety of your facility. In your annual inspection, more than 20 major components of your fire alarm system are tested.  These components include (but are not limited to): - Inspection of control panel and related components - Inspection of fuses, LEDs, and power supplies - Replacement of component batteries - Inspection of Pull Stations - Inspection of voice/alarm communications systems Fire sprinkler system annual inspection also consist of the inspection of over 20 components.  These components include (but are not limited to): - Main drain - Antifreeze solutions - Hose Valves - Pump System - Drain Test ### **Long Term Inspection & Maintenance** A handful of fire safety system components require inspection, testing, and maintenance on a long-term basis.  For example: - Fire alarm audibility testing should occur every three years - Fire extinguishers are scheduled for replacement every six years - Hood Suppression systems in kitchens have a number of components that should be replaced every 12 years ## **A Guide for Fire Safety Maintenance and Inspections** DSC has created a one-page guide to help you keep track of your facility’s regularly scheduled maintenance and inspections.  As out gift to you, that guide can be downloaded here: [Fire Safety System Inspection Schedule](https://www.thinkdsc.com/hubfs/Fire%20Inspection%20Timeline.pdf) ## **Your Partner for Fire Safety Service, Maintenance, and Inspections** To begin a discussion with DSC on how we can help you maintain and inspect your fire safety systems, contact us today.  Our fire safety professionals are ready to assist you, with worry-free maintenance agreements, designed to meet the unique needs of your organization. At DSC, or Client Services department is staffed by a team of licensed fire safety professionals.  We “do it all,” with a team capable of designing, installing, servicing, and maintaining fire safety systems.  [![Red Tag: What Happens When the Fire Marshal Doesn't Like What He Sees](https://www.thinkdsc.com/hubfs/red%20tag%20hero%20image.png)](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/red-tag-what-happens-when-the-fire-marshal-doesnt-like-what-he-sees) #### [Red Tag: What Happens When the Fire Marshal Doesn't Like What He Sees](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/red-tag-what-happens-when-the-fire-marshal-doesnt-like-what-he-sees) ![Picture of DSC](https://www.thinkdsc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC%20Favicon.png?width=30&name=DSC%20Favicon.png) [DSC](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/author/dsc) : July 20, 2026 Most building problems give you time. A leaky roof, a slow elevator, a parking lot that needs repaving — none of them shut you down overnight. A red... 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Often times, older... [fire alarm system](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/tag/fire-alarm-system) [fire system repair](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/tag/fire-system-repair) [Read More](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/alarm-beeping) [![BDA Systems in Houston: What Building Owners Actually Need to Know](https://www.thinkdsc.com/hubfs/firefighter%20in%20commercial%20building%20lobby.png)](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/bda-systems-in-houston-what-building-owners-actually-need-to-know) #### [BDA Systems in Houston: What Building Owners Actually Need to Know](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/bda-systems-in-houston-what-building-owners-actually-need-to-know) ![Picture of DSC](https://www.thinkdsc.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC%20Favicon.png?width=30&name=DSC%20Favicon.png) [DSC](https://www.thinkdsc.com/blog/author/dsc) : April 14, 2026 If you own or manage a commercial building in the Houston area, there's a good chance someone has mentioned a BDA system to you. Maybe it came up... 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