SANS 10287 and sprinkler maintenance in South Africa: the tests, the intervals and who certifies

SANS 10287 is the South African standard for automatic sprinkler installations for fire-fighting purposes. Edition 2, SANS 10287:2025, was approved by the SABS on 31 October 2025. It replaced edition 1 of 2000.^[1]

The SABS describes its scope as procedures for risk evaluation, design, installation and maintenance of sprinkler systems. The aim is that systems are installed, remain fully operational, and protect against the hazards actually present.^[1]

Older by-laws still cite it under its former name, SABS 0287. The extinguishers in the same building follow other rules, set out on the fire extinguisher service page.^[3]

When the building regulations or the council say so. Johannesburg's Emergency Services By-laws require sprinklers where SABS 0400 (now SANS 10400) calls for them (section 11(1)). The Council may also require them, and the owner must then install them.^[3]

Section 11(2) then requires design and installation to SABS 0287. The fire protection parts of SABS 0400 also apply, including Parts T and W.^[3]

Nationally, regulation T1(2) of the National Building Regulations deems the fire duties met when a building complies with SANS 10400-T. The SABS describes SANS 10287 as covering sprinkler systems in buildings where SANS 10400-T requires them. The SABS sells both, so this page cites them by number only.^[2][1]

In Durban, section 27 of eThekwini's Fire By-law, 2022 requires a competent person to design, install and maintain any sprinkler system SANS 10400 requires.^[5][3]

At least once a year in Johannesburg, and on a weekly to three-yearly cycle in eThekwini. Johannesburg requires an inspection by an appropriately registered, competent person at least every 12 months (section 16(1)(c)(iii)).^[3]

Johannesburg also requires maintenance by a competent person and servicing to the manufacturer's specifications. Its definition of a service installation includes any automatic fire-extinguishing installation and fire pump.^[3]

eThekwini's section 31 schedule gives sprinkler systems and drenchers a "Weekly/12 months/3 yearly" interval. The reference is SANS 10287 or other standards the Municipality recognises.^[5][3]

In practice, a maintenance contract splits the work into weekly, monthly, six-monthly and multi-year tasks. A public tender for an airport's fire systems, issued in March 2024, set the following minimum schedule.^[9]

• Weekly: run each diesel fire pump on load for at least 30 minutes, and measure and record the main flow rate and pump pressures.^[9]
• Monthly: record the reservoir level, and test the pressure switches. The same schedule tests water-flow alarms and gongs for at least 30 seconds.^[9]
• Also listed: supply valves locked open with chain and lock, drain valves closed, and flow-switch alarms reaching the control room.^[9]
• Quarterly: a six-hour full-load run of the diesel pump engine, referenced to clause 10.1 of the 2000 edition of SANS 10287.^[9]
• Six-monthly: the manufacturer's services on the alarm valves.^[9]
• Three-yearly: pipe-wall thickness tests at marked points, and the valve services the manufacturer and the inspection bureau require.^[9]

In practice, the Automatic Sprinkler Inspection Bureau (ASIB), for the insurers. Thirty-five short-term insurers founded it in 1970 to give the market one inspection standard for fixed fire protection.^[6]

The ASIB inspects new and existing sprinkler installations and issues a clearance certificate where a system meets the nominated design standard. It reports more than six thousand inspections a year, with a written report after each.^[6]

The ASIB also lists and grades sprinkler installers. It awards a numbered Certificate of Competency to individuals who pass its annual examination, with a pass mark of 90%.^[7][8]

The ASIB reads the old SABS 0287 as requiring a sprinkler inspection every 13 weeks. Its own rules ask for a biannual inspection by a suitably qualified person.^[7]

The ASIB's 12th edition rules have been in use since 2018. The bureau states it will clear a system built to any internationally accepted and proven standard.^[7]

The fire authority must be told, before and after. Cape Town requires the owner or person in charge to notify the controlling authority immediately when a fire protection system goes out of service. A second notice follows when it is restored (section 18(6)).^[4][3]

eThekwini has the same duty in section 31(6). Section 31(7) requires alternative equipment or measures to keep the premises safe while the system is off.^[5][3]

In Johannesburg, nobody may interfere with a service installation except to inspect, service or repair it, or to fight a fire (section 16(3)). If a fault cannot readily be repaired, the technician must notify the Chief Fire Officer in writing (section 16(2)(b)).^[3]

When the inspection finds a head damaged, painted or corroded. The ASIB states that painted sprinklers cannot be cleaned, because paint may bind the seals and stop or delay the head from operating.^[7]

The ASIB adds that cleaning can scratch and weaken the fusible element, which can cause a premature operation. The 2024 airport tender asks for a visual inspection that records each head's condition and replaces heads where necessary.^[7][9]