Regulations – Monitoring of service valves in sprinkler systems
An overview of Norwegian laws, regulations and standards that set requirements for monitoring and B-alarm for service valves (shutoff valves) in sprinkler systems.
1. Overarching legal basis
The Planning and Building Act (PBL) with the Building Technical Regulations (TEK17)
📌 Requirements: Sprinkler systems must be designed, installed and maintained in accordance with NS-EN 12845 – including requirements for monitoring of shut-off valves.
The overall regulations that set requirements for fire safety in buildings. TEK17 Section 11-12 requires automatic fire extinguishing systems in risk classes 4 and 6, and states that sprinkler systems must be designed and constructed in accordance with NS-EN 12845:2015+A1:2019.
Fire Prevention Regulations (2015)
Requires the owner and operator to ensure that the sprinkler system is in operation and functioning as intended at all times. The owner is responsible for ensuring that the system is inspected and maintained by qualified personnel.
📌 Requirements: The building owner is responsible for ensuring that the sprinkler system is approved, and that installation and inspection are carried out by qualified, FG-approved personnel. A certified inspector must thoroughly review the system once per year.
2. NS-EN 12845 – The main standard for sprinkler systems
Important requirement: Systems installed after January 1, 2016
NS-EN 12845 – Annex H and I: Monitoring and connection to SD systems
Where it is chosen to incorporate the sprinkler system into an SD system (central operational monitoring system), Appendices H and I apply. These appendices regulate, among other things, how shut-off valves should be monitored and which signals should be sent to the fire control center.
📌 Requirement: The position of the shut-off valve shall be monitored. If the valve is closed or not in the correct open position, this shall give an error signal (B-alarm / operating signal) to the fire control center or the building’s technical monitoring system.
NS-EN 12845 – Requirements for shut-off valves (point on control valve sets)
The shut-off valve is part of the control valve set. It should normally be in the open position and should be secured with a strap and lock in the open position, with a mechanical indicator for open/closed position.
📌 Requirements: The shut-off valve must have a mechanical indicator for open/closed, normally mounted immediately in front of the alarm valve, and must be secured in the open position. Self-checking of the valve position is recommended weekly.
3. NS 3960 – B-alarm and transmission of operating signals
NS 3960:2019 – Fire alarm systems and B-alarms from sprinklers
NS 3960 regulates requirements for fire alarm systems in Norway. The standard is clear that operating signals from the sprinkler system – including faults on shut-off valves – should be handled as B-alarms.
📌 Requirements: Operating signals (B-alarm) from the sprinkler system are normally transmitted to the building’s technical monitoring system, as further specified in NS-EN 12845. The requirements for B-alarm are binding and regulated in the standard.
4. FG rules – Insurance industry requirements
FG-920:5 – Inspection of fixed automatic water-based fire extinguishing systems
FG (Finans Norge Forsikringsdrift) sets its own requirements for sprinkler systems in order for the system to be approved by insurance companies. An FG-approved system provides reduced insurance premiums. All alarm functions – including the shut-off valve – must be tested during inspection.
📌 Requirement: All alarm functions for water supply and sprinkler systems must be tested in connection with the FG inspection and confirmed in the inspection report. Inspection is recorded in the FG inspection database.
FG-930:1 – FG guidance to NS-EN 12845
Detailed guidance to NS-EN 12845 with specific requirements for shut-off valves, drain valves and test valves. The standard sets minimum installation standards for both insurance and authorities.
📌 Requirements: NS-EN 12845 and NS-EN 16925 are the current references for both insurance and government agencies. Alternative standards (NFPA 13, FM Global, CEA 4001) can be used with documentation of an equivalent level of safety.
5. Summary – Requirements
Regulations
Monitoring requirements
B-alarm requirements
NS-EN 12845 Appendix H & I
Installations after 01.01.2016
✔ Yes – mandatory
✔ Yes
NS 3960:2019
✔ Yes – B-alarm should be transmitted
✔ Yes
TEK17 / PBL
⚠ Indirect – via NS-EN 12845
⚠ Indirect
Fire prevention regulations
✔ Yes – owner responsible for operation
⚠ Indirect
FG rules (insurance)
✔ Yes – requirement for FG approval
✔ Yes
Systems installed before 1.1.2016
⚠ Often not monitored – regulations were different
⚠ Not always a requirement
✅ Conclusion: For sprinkler systems installed after January 1, 2016, monitoring of the shut-off valve and B-alarm is a clear requirement according to NS-EN 12845 Annex H and I, as well as NS 3960. For older systems, there are not always requirements – but Firemesh’s solution makes it possible to meet today’s requirements also in existing systems.