When Do Fire Sprinkler Heads Need to Be Replaced? A Guide for Nevada Building Owners
Sprinkler heads don't last forever
Fire sprinkler heads can sit on your ceiling for decades without doing anything. That's the point: they wait for a fire. But over time, heat, dust, corrosion, and paint can keep a sprinkler from opening when it should.
That's why the fire code sets a timeline. After a certain number of years, sprinklers must either be replaced or have samples sent to a lab for testing. Some heads must be replaced right away, no matter how old they are.
This guide explains the timeline, what changed in the newer codes, and how to tell if your building is due.
Which code applies in Southern Nevada
Sprinkler testing and replacement rules come from NFPA 25, the standard for inspecting, testing, and maintaining water-based fire protection systems. The fire code points to NFPA 25, and NFPA 25 sets the timelines.
Which edition applies depends on where your building is:
Clark County, Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, & Mesquite adopted the 2024 International Fire Code, effective January 2026. The 2024 IFC references the 2023 edition of NFPA 25.
Other cities adopt their own codes on their own schedules.
This guide follows the 2023 edition of NFPA 25, as referenced by Southern Nevada's 2024 fire code amendments.
The replacement and testing timeline
When a sprinkler type reaches its age limit, you have two choices: replace those heads, or send a sample to a lab for testing. If the samples pass, the clock resets until the next test. If they fail, the heads they represent must be replaced.
Sprinkler type | First test or replace | Then every |
Standard response | 50 years | 10 years (every 5 years after 75 years) |
Fast response (most offices, schools, apartments) | 25 years | 10 years |
ESFR and fast-response CMSA (warehouses) | 20 years | 10 years |
Dry sprinklers (freezers, garages, outdoor areas) | 20 years | 10 years |
Corrosion-resistant (in harsh environments) | 10 years | 5 years |
Extra-high temperature (325°F and up) | 5 years | 5 years |
Harsh or corrosive environments | 5 years | 5 years |
Made before 1920 | Replace (no testing allowed) | — |
Most newer buildings in Southern Nevada use fast-response sprinklers. That means the 25-year mark is the one most owners will hit first.
What changed in the newer codes
The good news: for most building owners, the newer rules give you more time. Years of lab testing showed that newer sprinklers are more reliable than first expected.
Sprinkler type | Older rule | 2023 edition |
Fast response | 20 years | 25 years |
Dry sprinklers | 10 years (2002–2017 editions), then 15 years (2020 edition) | 20 years |
ESFR and fast-response CMSA | 20 years | 20 years (no change) |
Corrosion-resistant in harsh areas | Every 10 years | First at 10 years, then every 5 years |
The 2023 edition also changed how painted sprinklers are handled. It now looks at how many heads are painted and where they are, instead of treating every painted head the same.
One thing to watch: if your building is outside Clark County's jurisdiction, check which code your city follows before you skip a test.
Heads that must be replaced now, no matter the age
Age is not the only reason to replace a sprinkler. NFPA 25 says a sprinkler must be replaced, not cleaned, if it shows any of these:
Paint on the head (other than the factory finish)
Corrosion or rust
Physical damage, such as a bent frame or a hit from a forklift
Loading, meaning built-up dust, grease, or lint
Leaking
A missing or broken glass bulb, or a bulb that has lost fluid
The wrong temperature rating for the space, which can happen after a remodel
In Las Vegas, we see painted heads after tenant remodels and loaded heads in kitchens and warehouses. Always tell painters and contractors to cover or avoid sprinkler heads.
Recalled sprinkler heads: replace them now
Some sprinkler heads have been recalled because they may not open in a fire. A recalled head must be replaced right away, no matter how old it is or how it looks. Lab testing is not an option.
On September 24, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Tyco Fire Products issued a new warning. Many recalled heads are still installed in buildings across the country. In July 2025, a fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts killed ten residents. According to CPSC, that building had not replaced dozens of recalled heads, even after an inspection found them.
The major recalls building owners should know about:
Recall | Sprinklers made | How to spot them | Why recalled |
Central O-ring sprinklers (2001) | Wet: 1989–2000. Dry: mid-1970s to June 2001 | "CENTRAL," "CSC," or "STAR," a "G" in a triangle, or a star symbol on the frame or deflector | Rubber O-ring seals can degrade and stop the head from opening |
Gem and Star O-ring sprinklers (2001, part of the Central recall) | 1995–2001 | Same markings as above | Same O-ring problem |
Central Omega sprinklers (1998) | 1982 and later | "Omega" models | Many failed to open in lab tests and in real fires |
Star ME-1 dry sprinklers (2003) | 1977–1995 | "Star" and "ME-1" with the year molded on the head | Did not operate in lab testing |
The free replacement programs for these recalls have ended. The Central O-ring program closed in 2007. But the danger has not gone away, and the heads still need to be replaced.
What to do:
Have a licensed fire protection company check every head in your building for recalled models.
Do not remove or disturb sprinkler heads yourself.
Review your past inspection reports. If a recalled head was ever noted, confirm it was actually replaced.
Buildings from the 1970s to early 2000s, and dry systems in garages, freezers, and attics, deserve the closest look.
For the full recall details, see the CPSC notice.
How to find out how old your sprinklers are
Most sprinkler heads have the year they were made stamped on the frame or deflector. You can also check your building's original permit, the sprinkler contractor's records, or past inspection reports. Your annual inspector should note the ages of your heads on the report.
Test or replace?
For a small system, replacing all the heads can cost less than lab testing and the labor to pull samples. For a large building, testing is usually cheaper. A good fire protection company will price both options for you.
Quick checklist
Find the manufacture year on your sprinkler heads
Know which types you have: standard, fast response, dry, or ESFR
Compare their age to the timeline above
Check for recalled heads (Central, Star, Gem, Omega, Star ME-1)
Look for painted, corroded, damaged, or dirty heads
Ask your inspector which NFPA 25 edition applies to your building
Need your sprinklers checked? Call Ace Fire Systems
Ace Fire Systems has inspected, tested, and replaced fire sprinklers in Southern Nevada since 1993. We are licensed by the Nevada State Fire Marshal and can tell you exactly where your system stands.
Call us at 702-384-2932 or visit AceFireNV.com.
