The North Carolina Fire Prevention Code requires fire protection equipment be inspected, tested and maintained.  There are different service intervals for the equipment. Below is the most commonly found equipment and their service requirements.

• Fire Extinguishers (NFPA 10)– an annual inspection and certification is required by a service company; monthly inspections are required to be performed by the owner/occupant.
• Fire Alarms systems (NFPA 72)– an annual inspection and certification is required for all commercial fire alarm systems. The service report is required to be maintained on premises for inspection by the fire inspector.
• Sprinkler Systems (NFPA 25)– There are different inspection intervals for different parts of a sprinkler system including an annual inspection. The annual inspection and certification report is required to be maintained on premises for inspection by the fire inspector.
• Commercial cooking hood suppression systems (NFPA 17A)– The suppression systems for a commercial type 1 hood is required to be inspected, tested and maintained every 6 months. The fusible links for the suppression system are required to be replaced annually and the old links attached to the system pull station for inspector verification.
• Commercial type 1 cooking hoods (NCFPC) – type 1 cooking hood shall be inspected and cleaned, the interval of cleaning can very by the volume of the cooking operation. The normal starting interval is every three months. This interval can be adjusted by the Fire Inspector where appropriate.
• Private fire service mains and hydrants (NFPA 25)- There are different inspection intervals for different parts of the private fire service main. The hydrants and exposed piping require annual inspections and testing. A flow test is required every 5 years.  The annual inspection and certification report and the 5-year flow test report is required to be maintained on premises for inspection by the fire inspector.