During pre-incident surveys, fire protection systems should be:

The focus on testing fire protection systems during pre-incident surveys is critical because it ensures that these systems are functioning correctly and are fully operational before an emergency occurs. Regular testing helps identify any issues that could prevent a fire protection system from working effectively in a real incident, such as malfunctioning alarms, inadequate water supply, or compromised sprinkler systems.

Furthermore, testing provides an opportunity to verify that all components meet the necessary codes and standards, ultimately enhancing the safety of both the building occupants and responding personnel. Ensuring that fire protection systems are thoroughly tested establishes a baseline of readiness that is vital for effective emergency response, ensuring that these systems will perform as expected in a crisis.

Other options, such as ignoring protection systems due to inaccessibility, would undermine safety preparations, while simply inspecting for possible hazards, although important, does not ensure that those systems are operational. Updating with new technology, while beneficial, is secondary to the immediate need to ensure existing systems are in working order. Therefore, testing stands out as the essential best practice during pre-incident surveys.