In TS EN 12845+A2:2026 the periodic system inspection appears in two places and together they amount to less than half a page: Clause 21 (TS p.126 / EN p.123) sets the requirement and Annex Q (informative, TS p.168 / EN p.165) expands it in two paragraphs. This article first gives both texts in full, then shows where the provisions that actually determine what the inspection will look at are located: the weekly, monthly, quarterly, half yearly, yearly, 3 yearly and 10 yearly routines of Clause 20.
Clause 21: a single paragraph requirement
The whole of Clause 21 reads as follows (TS p.126 / EN p.123):
The sprinkler system shall be periodically inspected at least once a year by a competent person (see Annex Q). The inspection report shall assess whether the system complies with this standard, including but not limited to maintenance, operation and suitability for the relevant risk. A list of deviations shall be drawn up for action.
The clause has no subclauses. Numbers such as "21.1.1" or "21.1.2" do not exist in the standard. The three requirements the standard gives are clear:
- Frequency: at least once a year.
- Performed by: a competent person (defined in Annex Q).
- Output: a report assessing the compliance of the system with the standard, and a list of deviations for action.
The standard states neither a tolerance window ("plus or minus 1 month"), nor a date for the first inspection, nor a retention period for the report, nor an obligation to notify the insurer.
Annex Q: two paragraphs
Annex Q is informative; its heading reads "Annex Q (informative) Periodic system inspection" (TS p.168 / EN p.165). Its full content is two paragraphs.
First paragraph, the independence recommendation: when a periodic inspection is carried out, it is recommended that system inspections are carried out by an independent body; for example, a party that is not the system owner, the building user, the installer of the system (or a competing installer) or the service and maintenance provider (or a competing service and maintenance provider).
This is a recommendation ("it is recommended"), not a requirement. Had the standard made independent inspection mandatory, the annex would have been normative and the verb would have been "shall".
Second paragraph, the definition of a competent person: a competent person is a designated individual, suitably trained, qualified by knowledge and practical experience, and provided with the necessary instructions to enable the tests and examinations to be carried out.
There is nothing else in Annex Q: no subclauses such as Q.1 to Q.7, no clause by clause checklist, no "compliant / not compliant / comment" format, no deviation list template and no capacity reassessment triggers.
What the inspection actually looks at: the routines of Clause 20
Clause 21 requires an assessment of "whether the system complies with this standard". The provisions against which that compliance is measured are in Clause 20. The table below is the period architecture of the standard.
| Period | Clause | Highlights of the scope | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly (at intervals of not more than 7 days) | 20.2.2 | Pressure gauge readings, water levels, main stop valve positions; sounding of the water motor alarm for at least 30 s; automatic pump starting test; running the diesel engine for 20 min and restarting it with the manual start button | TS p.122-123 / EN p.119-120 |
| Monthly | 20.2.3 | Electrolyte level and density of all lead-acid cells | TS p.123 / EN p.120 |
| Quarterly (not more than 13 weeks) | 20.3.2 | Review of hazard; cleanliness of sprinklers; corrosion of pipes and hangers; testing of each water supply through each control valve set; operation of stop valves; flow alarms; count of spare parts | TS p.123-124 / EN p.120-121 |
| Half yearly | 20.3.3 | Moving the moving parts of dry alarm valves and of accelerators and exhausters in accordance with the supplier's instructions; checking the electrical installation of the fire brigade and remote centre alarms | TS p.124 / EN p.121 |
| Yearly (not more than 12 months) | 20.3.4 | Full load flow test of each pump set and verification of the nameplate values; diesel failure to start alarm test followed by a manual start; tank float valves; pump suction strainers and settling chamber | TS p.124-125 / EN p.121-122 |
| 3 yearly | 20.3.5 | Internal inspection of all tanks, draining and cleaning if necessary, examination for corrosion, repainting; examination of all water supply stop valves, alarm and check valves, replacement or overhaul if necessary | TS p.125 / EN p.122 |
| 10 yearly | 20.3.6 | Cleaning and internal inspection of all storage tanks, treatment of the shell as required | TS p.125 / EN p.122 |
There is one exception in the 3 yearly tank inspection: tanks designed so as not to require maintenance within 10 years in accordance with 9.6.2 b) are excluded (20.3.5.2, TS p.125 / EN p.122). Clause 9.6.2 b) (TS p.59 / EN p.56) defines such a tank in the context of a superior single water supply: full capacity, no ingress of light or foreign matter, suitable clean water, and paint or other corrosion protection that extends the need to empty the tank for maintenance to at least 10 years.
Records, responsible person and reporting
Clause 20.1.1 (TS p.121 / EN p.118): the user shall appoint a person, together with a deputy, to ensure that the system is kept in working order after receiving the necessary instructions. The name, address and telephone number of the person responsible for the system and of the deputy shall be displayed prominently in the sprinkler valve room.
Clause 20.1.2 Programmed operation (TS p.121 / EN p.118): the user shall operate an inspection and checking programme (see 20.2), draw up a testing, servicing and maintenance schedule (see 20.3) and keep records including a logbook; these shall be held on the premises. The user shall ensure that the testing, servicing and maintenance schedule is carried out under contract by the installing company or a company of similar competence. After every inspection, check, test, servicing or maintenance operation, the system and, where applicable, the automatic pumps, pressure tanks and gravity tanks shall be returned to the proper operating condition.
The standard does not state how long the records shall be kept.
Clause 20.3.1.2 Records (TS p.123 / EN p.120): the user shall be given a signed and dated inspection report. The report shall contain information on any corrections made or required and details of any external factors (for example weather conditions) that may have affected the results.
Stock of spare sprinklers: the one item the inspection can count
The last item of the quarterly routine (20.3.2.9, TS p.124 / EN p.121) requires the number and condition of the replacement parts held in stock to be checked. The numbers are in Clause 20.1.4 (TS p.121-122 / EN p.118-119): the number of spare sprinklers per system shall not be less than 6 for LH, 24 for OH and 36 for HHP and HHS. Where the installation includes high temperature sprinklers, sidewall sprinklers or other sprinkler pattern variations, or multiple controls, a sufficient number of spares of these shall also be held. The stock shall be replenished immediately after spares have been used.
Once every 25 years: Annex K
Beyond the yearly inspection, the informative Annex K (TS p.162 / EN p.159) recommends that pipes and sprinklers be examined after 25 years: the pipework should be thoroughly flushed and hydrostatically tested to the maximum static pressure or to 12 bar, whichever is the higher; at least one metre of range pipe for every 100 sprinklers and two pipe sections of at least one metre of each pipe diameter should be examined. Table K.1 gives the number of sample sprinklers: 20 for a total installed sprinkler count of 5 000 or less, 40 for 10 000 or less, 60 for 20 000 or less, 80 for 30 000 or less and 100 for 40 000 or less. The sprinklers are assessed for operation, operating temperature, K-factor deviation, spray obstruction, positioning and thermal sensitivity.
Field note
Because Clause 21 does not define the report format, carrying the clause number of the standard on every line of the list of deviations makes the inspection report comparable with next year's report. The standard does not require this; it only asks for "a list of deviations for action". (This paragraph is engineering commentary.)
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does EN 12845 require a periodic system inspection?
TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 21 (TS p.126 / EN p.123): 'The sprinkler system shall be periodically inspected at least once a year by a competent person (see Annex Q).' Beyond this the standard gives no calendar, no tolerance window and no date for the first inspection.
Who shall carry out the inspection? Is independence mandatory?
It is not mandatory, it is a recommendation. Annex Q is informative and states that it is recommended that system inspections are carried out by an independent body; as an example, a party other than the system owner, the building user, the installer of the system (or a competing installer) and the service and maintenance provider (or a competitor) is cited (TS p.168 / EN p.165). What is mandatory is the 'competent person' requirement in Clause 21.
Is there a checklist in Annex Q?
No. The whole of Annex Q is two paragraphs: the recommendation for an independent body and the definition of a competent person. There are no subclauses such as Q.1 or Q.2, no checklist, no deviation form template and no list of reassessment triggers in Annex Q (TS p.168 / EN p.165).
What shall the inspection report contain?
Clause 21 (TS p.126 / EN p.123): the inspection report shall assess whether the system complies with this standard, including but not limited to maintenance, operation and suitability for the relevant risk. In addition, 'a list of deviations shall be drawn up for action'. The standard does not define the column layout of the deviation list or a priority classification.
Which clause covers reassessment of the hazard class?
Clause 20.3.2.2 Review of hazard (TS p.123 / EN p.120). It is part of the quarterly routine carried out every three months (at intervals of not more than 13 weeks): the effect on the hazard classification or the installation design of any change in the structure, occupancy, storage configuration, heating, lighting or equipment of the building shall be determined and it shall be ensured that appropriate modifications can be made.
References
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 21 Periodic system inspection (TS p.126 / EN p.123)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Annex Q (informative) (TS p.168 / EN p.165)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 20.1.1 Introduction, 20.1.2 Programmed operation, 20.1.4 Spare sprinklers (TS p.121-122 / EN p.118-119)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 20.2.2 Weekly routine, 20.2.3 Monthly routine (TS p.122-123 / EN p.119-120)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 20.3.1.2 Records, 20.3.2 Quarterly routine (TS p.123-124 / EN p.120-121)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 20.3.3 Half yearly routine, 20.3.4 Yearly routine (TS p.124-125 / EN p.121-122)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 20.3.5 3 yearly routine, 20.3.6 10 yearly routine (TS p.125 / EN p.122)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Clause 9.6.2 b) Superior single water supplies (TS p.59 / EN p.56)
- TS EN 12845+A2:2026 Annex K (informative), Table K.1 (TS p.162 / EN p.159)
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Download MEP Calc on the App StoreTS EN 12845+A2:2026 (EN 12845:2015+A2:2026) Fixed firefighting systems — Automatic sprinkler systems — Design, installation and maintenance; TS EN 12845-2:2025 (EN 12845-2:2024) ESFR and CMSA sprinkler systems. Every figure in this article is taken from the published standard text; clause, table and page references are listed under References. General information only, not a substitute for the standard or for a design review.