The fire protection industry is at an inflection point. For decades, inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) of fire protection systems have relied on rigorous but largely manual processes, guided by standards such as NFPA 25.
Today, however, a convergence of digital technology, customer expectations and new codes such as NFPA 915, Standard for Remote Inspections and Tests, is reshaping how the industry delivers on its core mission- ensuring systems work when lives and property are at risk.
True innovation does not start with technology; it begins with the customer. Listening to the voice of the customer reveals the operational burdens, pain points and safety concerns that need to be addressed.
Technology, whether AI, IoT, or automation is valuable only when addressing those needs.
Every property owner should ask these three questions when evaluating their fire protection systems; are systems in service?
Do systems work and are systems designed right for the hazards I have today, not the hazards I had when the systems were installed?
Mark Fessenden
Too often, impairments; planned, hidden or emergency threaten to undermine reliability. ITM must be disciplined, documented and comprehensive to avoid the risk of systems failing when needed most.
Data confirms this concern, the NFPA has found that in nearly 60% of sprinkler failures, the system had been shut off, often for maintenance purposes.
This is the paradox of traditional ITM. To keep systems operational, we take them offline. To ensure reliability, we rely on repetitive manual checks that strain resources.
Customers, whether contractors, facility managers or insurers, have been telling us for years that there must be a better way.
Enter NFPA 915, unlike NFPA 25, which defines the scope and frequency of ITM tasks, NFPA 915 provides a structured framework for conducting those tasks remotely, digitally or automatically.
It does not replace NFPA 25, it complements it offering flexibility without sacrificing rigor. Key elements of NFPA 915 include:
Authenticity and accuracy: Timestamping, geolocation and clear video capture to validate inspections
Device classifications: Guidance on wireless tools, cameras, drones, automated sensors and data transmission
Data integrity: Strict requirements for storage, retention and security
AHJ engagement: Clear roles and responsibilities for inspectors, owners and authorities
By codifying remote practices, NFPA 915 converts customer frustrations about inefficiency into opportunities for smarter compliance. It is the embodiment of “listening first, leveraging second.”
Procter & Gamble provides a compelling example. Known for its relentless focus on operational efficiency, Procter & Gamble has embraced automated inspection and testing to align life safety with production uptime.
Their use of automated fire pump testing and remote system monitoring has delivered consistent compliance across global sites and reduced downtime during ITM activities.
Mark Fessenden
Streamlined reporting that accelerates audits and inspections alongside operational efficiency that frees staff for higher-value work.
For Procter & Gamble, technology adoption was not about chasing trends, it was about solving the challenges that their facility teams voiced.
That alignment between customer need and technological solution is the model our industry must follow.
This shift is not isolated to the US, the International Fire Code (IFC) mandates ongoing ITM and has begun endorsing Remote Virtual Inspections (RVI) as a defensible practice.
In Europe, EN 12845 emphasizes owner responsibility and ongoing maintenance, aligning well with the transparency and documentation remote tools provide.
Insurers like FM Global add further layers through Data Sheets 2-81 and 3-7, which often require stricter intervals than NFPA 25. FM has even introduced FM 1330, a certification framework for automated fire pump monitoring.
This global convergence shows that remote and automated ITM are not departures from best practice- they are the evolution of it.
Mark Fessenden
This momentum is consistent with the broader rise of intelligent building systems, which NFPA has recognized as a defining trend for the built environment.
As discussed in NFPA Journal (May/June 2019), intelligent connectivity is reshaping how life safety integrates into the broader building ecosystem, remote inspections and testing are a natural extension of this evolution.
Remote ITM is made possible by a suite of enabling technologies:
These tools shift ITM from static, reactive processes to dynamic, predictive practices- exactly what customers have been asking for.
These enabling technologies also align with the broader smart building trend identified by NFPA, where interconnected systems deliver not only compliance but also operational intelligence.
Other sectors have already demonstrated the benefits of technology adoption. Aviation’s predictive maintenance, manufacturing’s IoT-driven monitoring and healthcare’s digital compliance systems all offer lessons fire protection can adapt.
Closer to home, NIST’s Research Roadmap for Smart Fire Fighting (2015) anticipates this same transformation for our field.
Mark Fessenden
By outlining a future of cyber-physical systems, wireless sensors and predictive analytics, NIST frames remote inspections as an early example of the smart firefighting ecosystem now taking shape.
By looking outward, we can leapfrog ahead, avoiding the pitfalls of trial-and-error while adopting tested solutions that deliver measurable customer value.
It is tempting to frame this as a push to become more “product-led.” But, the reality is that products without customer alignment risk becoming shelfware.
A cloud dashboard or AI algorithm carries no inherent value; it must solve a real problem voiced by the customer.
Technology adoption must therefore be positioned not as another expense, but as a tool to reduce lifecycle costs and protect business continuity.
This is the critical pivot: moving from compliance-focused ITM to value-driven ITM.
To ensure success, facility owners, contractors and AHJs should follow these principles:
While remote inspection and testing technologies promise efficiency and reliability, cost remains the single greatest obstacle to adoption.
Many building owners view fire protection as a regulatory burden rather than a value-adding investment. Systems are seen as expensive to install and maintain.
Water or chemical discharge during fires is often blamed for damage, without recognition that the alternative could have been complete structural loss.
This mindset makes owners reluctant to invest in additional technologies unless mandated.
Bridging this gap requires our industry to demonstrate tangible return on investment, whether through reduced downtime, lower insurance costs or improved operational continuity.
As digital transformation accelerates, our industry must avoid adopting technology for its own sake. The path forward is clear:
By moving from compliance to value, fire protection professionals can harness technology to deliver safer, smarter and more customer-aligned ITM.
This is not just about keeping up with change; it is about leading it. Ultimately, success will depend not on technology alone but on clearly demonstrating value to the owner- turning compliance costs into operational savings and business continuity advantages.
Viewed through the lens of both NFPA’s smart building initiatives and NIST’s smart firefighting roadmap, remote inspections and tests are not simply incremental upgrades.
Mark Fessenden
They represent a foundational step toward a smarter, safer and more resilient built environment.
