Request for Proposal
Carteret County Government
Sprinkler Inspection, Testing, Service and Repair
Issued: June 12, 2026
Submission Deadline: June 25, 2026 by 10:00 AM, EST.
Carteret County Request for Proposals
Sprinkler Inspection, Testing, Service and Repair
I. Purpose
Carteret County General Services (GS) is seeking proposals for both testing and inspection as well as service and repair
of sprinkler systems. Part A of this proposal includes periodic testing of fire sprinkler and associated systems owned by
Carteret County. Part B includes as-needed service and repair of sprinkler systems. This RFP describes the vendor
requirements and scope of work to be performed.
A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held on-site on June 18, 2026 at 8:30 AM local time. The meeting will
begin at the County General Services Building at 5231 Business Dr. Newport, NC. Interested contractors are encouraged
to attend.
II. Vendor Requirements
The vendor shall comply with the following basic requirements:
1. The vendor should have any training or license required to provide inspection and service of sprinkler systems.
2. Inspectors working in County buildings shall be NISET certified and trained to inspect all types of sprinkler
systems owned by Carteret County in accordance with applicable NFPA Codes and manufacturer’s
requirements and OSHA requirements. Subcontractors are allowed where necessary, but shall be approved by
Carteret County.
3. Service workers through the vendor should be NISET certified and trained to work on sprinkler systems being
serviced. Subcontractors are allowed where necessary.
4. The vendor shall be capable of performing all quarterly inspections within a 1 week period.
5. The vendor shall provide 24 hour service and be capable of responding to an emergency within 3 hours of an
emergency call.
III. Scope of Services
Part A
Inspection and Testing:
The inspections consist of annual, quarterly and semi-quarterly inspections as specified for wet, dry and pre-action
sprinkler systems, FM-200 systems, and fire pump systems at Carteret County facilities. The vendor shall be
responsible for inspection of these systems to NFPA standards as well as Carteret County requirements and provide
reporting to local authority having jurisdiction as required. See the appendix for a facility list, type of sprinkler systems,
and a previous report with all devices currently tested. The information is provided for convenience; however the
vendor is responsible for confirming any information needed to provide a unit cost for the inspections.
The vendor shall be responsible for the following inspections and reporting associated:
1. Annual Sprinkler Inspections include:
a. Wet Sprinkler Systems
b. Dry Sprinkler Systems
c. Pre-action Sprinkler Systems
d. Fire Pump Systems
e. Backflow Testing
2. Quarterly Inspections include:
a. Wet Sprinkler Systems
b. Dry Sprinkler Systems
c. Pre-action Sprinkler Systems
3. Semi-annual inspections include:
4. Five year testing and inspections include:
a. Wet Sprinkler Systems
b. Dry Sprinkler Systems
c. Pre-action Sprinkler Systems
Inspections:
The vendor shall perform the following services, including but not limited to, during the inspection unless the step is
superseded by code driven requirements.
1. Wet Pipe Sprinkler Systems
a. Quarterly
A full flow test shall be made through the system main drain, when possible.* The static and residual
flow pressures will be recorded. Test for proper operation the mechanical condition of system
components, including the alarm valve clapper, pilot valve, and retard chamber. The system shall be
flushed trough the inspectors test valves, to insure proper water quality and delivery through the
system. All local and supervisory alarms shall be tested for proper operation. All sprinkler system
control valves that are equipped with electric tamper switches shall be functionally tested by operating
the control valve sufficiently to operate the switch. The condition and position of all sealed control
valves shall be checked and, if necessary, new seals will be installed and recorded. The condition of the
Fire Department connection shall be checked, including caps, gaskets, clappers, and ball drips. The
availability of spare sprinkler heads and wrenches will be verified. All gauges will be checked.
b. Annually
In addition to the above; make a thorough visual inspection of all system components, where possible,
to include checking distribution piping for mechanical damage, loose hangers and leaks. Sprinkler heads
shall be cleaned and visually checked for obvious mechanical damage, leaks, corrosion, loading,
obstruction, proper position, and any other obvious factors which may impair the sprinkler system. All
sprinkler system control valves shall be fully operated, tested for proper operation and lubricated. All
anti-freeze systems will be checked for freezing point of the solution.
c. Every Five Years
All necessary inspections and testing required in 5 year intervals shall be completed according to the
applicable NFPA standards.
*Exception: When weather conditions or other circumstances prohibit discharging water, this part of
the test procedure will be modified or postponed until the next regularly scheduled inspection.
2. Dry Pipe Sprinkler Systems
a. Annually
A full flow test shall be made through the system main drain, when possible.* The static and residual
flow pressures will be recorded. Priming water levels shall be checked and adjusted if necessary. Air
pressure shall be checked. Air compressor (if applicable) shall be tested for proper operation, condition,
and automatic sequencing. The oil level and belt condition shall also be checked. Condensation shall be
drained from the holding tank. The quick opening device shall be tested for proper operation, serviced
and reset. All known auxiliary drain valves shall be drained. All local and supervisory alarms shall be
tested for proper operation. All sprinkler system control valves that are equipped with electric tamper
switches shall be functionally tested by operating the control valve sufficiently to operate the switch.
The condition and position of all sealed control valves shall be checked and, if necessary, new seals will
be installed and recorded. The condition of the Fire Department Siamese connection shall be checked,
including caps, gaskets, clappers, and ball drips. The availability of spare sprinkler heads and wrenches
will be verified. All gauges will be checked.
The quick opening devices (if so equipped) will be trip tested, cleaned, inspected, reset and checked for
air leaks. The control valve will be sealed in the proper position and the device will be left in normal
service.
In addition to the above; make a thorough visual inspection of all system components, where possible,
to include checking distribution piping for mechanical damage, loose hangers and leaks. Sprinkler heads
shall be cleaned and visually checked for obvious mechanical damage, leaks, corrosion, loading,
obstruction, proper position, and any other obvious factors which may impair the sprinkler system. All
sprinkler system control valves shall be fully operated, tested for proper operation and lubricated. A
standard partial trip test of the dry pipe valve shall be performed. The interior condition of the valve,
clapper, latching devices, velocity check valve and facings shall be checked. The operation and condition
the valve will be recorded.
b. Every Five Years
All necessary inspections and testing required in 5 year intervals shall be completed according to the
applicable NFPA standards.
*Exception: When weather conditions or other circumstances prohibit discharging water, this part of
the test procedure will be modified or postponed until the next regularly scheduled inspection.
3. Pre-action Sprinkler Systems
a. Quarterly
A full flow test shall be made through the system main drain, when possible.* The static and residual
flow pressures will be recorded. Priming water levels shall be checked and adjusted if necessary. Air
pressure shall be checked. Air compressor (if applicable) shall be tested for proper operation, condition,
and automatic sequencing. The oil level and belt condition shall also be checked. Condensation shall be
drained from the holding tank. The quick opening device shall be tested for proper operation, serviced
and reset. All known auxiliary drain valves shall be drained. All local and supervisory alarms shall be
tested for proper operation. All sprinkler system control valves that are equipped with electric tamper
switches shall be functionally tested by operating the control valve sufficiently to operate the switch.
The condition and position of all sealed control valves shall be checked and, if necessary, new seals will
be installed and recorded. The condition of the Fire Department Siamese connection shall be checked,
including caps, gaskets, clappers, and ball drips. The availability of spare sprinkler heads and wrenches
will be verified. All gauges will be checked.
*Exception: When weather conditions or other circumstances prohibit discharging water, this part of
the test procedure will be modified or postponed until the next regularly scheduled inspection.
Functional test of manual stations. All smoke detectors will be visually inspected in place to identify
missing detectors, obstructions, dirty or damaged detectors and improperly located detectors.
b. Annually
In addition to the above; make a thorough visual inspection of all system components, where possible,
to include checking distribution piping for mechanical damage, loose hangers and leaks. Sprinkler heads
shall be cleaned and visually checked for obvious mechanical damage, leaks, corrosion, loading,
obstruction, proper position, and any other obvious factors which may impair the sprinkler system. All
sprinkler system control valves shall be fully operated, tested for proper operation and lubricated. A full
flow trip test of the deluge/pre-action valve shall be performed, if conditions permit. The interior
condition of the valve, clapper, latching devices, velocity check valve and facings shall be checked. The
operation and condition the valve will be recorded. All smoke detectors will be operationally tested.
c. Every Five Years
All necessary inspections and testing required in 5 year intervals shall be completed according to the
applicable NFPA standards.
4. Fire Pumps Systems
a. Annually
Before Pump Is Operated:
1. Check drip pockets under packing glands for proper drainage. Note that standing water in drip
pockets is the most common cause of bearing failure.
2. Check packing adjustment — approximately one drop per second is necessary to keep packing
lubricated.
3. Observe suction and discharge gauges. Readings higher than suction pressure indicate leakage back
from system pressure through either the fire pump or jockey pump.
Inspect Fire Pump system:
1. Start pump automatically.
2. Electric pumps shall run 10 minutes minimum at churn
3. Diesel engine pumps shall run 30 minutes minimum at churn
Pump House Conditions:
1. Heat is adequate, not less than 40°F [70°F ] for pump room with diesel pumps without engine
heaters.
2. Ventilating louvers are free to operate.
Pump System Conditions:
1. Pump suction and discharge and bypass valves are fully open.
2. Piping is free of leaks.
3. Suction line pressure gauge reading is within acceptable range.
4. System line pressure gauge reading is within acceptable range.
5. Wet pit suction screens are unobstructed and in place.
6. Pressure relief valve is discharging some water.
Electrical System Conditions:
1. Controller pilot light (power on) is illuminated.
2. Transfer switch normal pilot light is illuminated.
3. Isolating switch is closed — standby (emergency) source.
4. Reverse phase alarm pilot light is off, or normal phase rotation pilot light is on.
5. Oil level in vertical motor sight glass is within acceptable range.
Diesel Engine System Conditions:
i. Fuel tank is two-thirds full.
ii. Controller selector switch is in auto position.
iii. Batteries’ (2) voltage readings are within acceptable range.
iv. Batteries’ (2) charging current readings are within acceptable range.
v. Batteries’ (2) pilot lights are on or battery failure (2) pilot lights are off.
vi. All alarm pilot lights are off.
vii. Engine running time meter is reading.
viii. Oil level in right angle gear drive is within acceptable range.
ix. Crankcase oil level is within acceptable range.
x. Cooling water level is within acceptable range.
xi. Electrolyte level in batteries is within acceptable range.
xii. Battery terminals are free from corrosion.
xiii. Water-jacket heater is operating.
xiv. Observe the time for engine to crank.
xv. Observe the time for engine to reach running speed
xvi. Observe the engine oil pressure gauge, speed indicator, water, and oil temperature indicators
periodically while engine is running.
xvii. Record any abnormalities.
xviii. Check the heat exchanger for cooling water flow.
Observations:
1. Check for unusual noise or vibration.
2. Check packing boxes, bearings, or pump casing for overheating.
3. Record the pump starting pressure.
This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.