What does "waterflow testing" involve in relation to fire alarm systems?

Waterflow testing specifically involves testing the activation of flow switches that monitor water flow in fire protection sprinkler systems. This process is crucial for ensuring that the fire alarm system can detect when water is flowing through the sprinkler pipes, which indicates that a fire suppression system is actively combating a fire.

When a sprinkler head activates due to heat from a fire, it allows water to flow into the pipes, and the flow switch senses this activity. This activation sends a signal to the fire alarm control panel, alerting occupants and emergency services to the situation. Conducting waterflow testing ensures that flow switches are functioning correctly and can respond appropriately during an actual fire event.

The other options pertain to different aspects of fire safety and sprinkler systems but do not specifically relate to the purpose of waterflow testing. For instance, measuring the speed of water discharge from hoses, checking water pressure in main supply lines, and inspecting the physical condition of water pipes are essential maintenance activities but do not directly assess the functionality of flow switches within the context of fire alarm systems.