Which item is explicitly documented during an annual dry system inspection?

• A. Trip and flow times
• B. Type of hazard
• C. Type of water supply
• D. Water and air pressure

Answer: (A)

Trip and flow times are documented because they directly show how quickly the dry-pipe system responds and delivers water after the valve releases. In a dry system, the piping is pressurized with air, and water is held back by a dry-pipe valve. When a sprinkler or detector initiates the sequence, the valve must trip and water must travel through the piping to reach the sprinklers. The trip time measures the interval from valve release to water entering the system, and the flow time measures how long it takes to reach the required water flow at the most remote point. Recording these times confirms the system will respond within expected limits, helps verify proper valve operation, and identifies issues like valve sticking, air pressure problems, or high friction losses. Other data, like the type of hazard or water supply, aren’t the items the annual inspection focuses on documenting in the same way, whereas trip and flow times specifically reflect the system’s performance.