What type of maintenance is crucial for preventing leaks in fire service mains?

Regular testing of pressure levels is crucial for preventing leaks in fire service mains because it allows for the early detection of any changes or abnormalities in the system's integrity. Monitoring the pressure ensures that the mains are functioning correctly and can help identify potential issues such as corrosion or structural weaknesses before they result in significant problems. Maintaining proper pressure levels also confirms that the system is performing optimally, which is essential for fire suppression efforts during emergencies.

While other maintenance practices like visual inspections and professional overhauls are important, they do not provide as reliable a method for identifying leaks as pressure testing does. Visual inspections may miss underlying issues, and periodic overhauls may be conducted infrequently. The consistent removal of rust, although it contributes to the overall health of the system, does not address the immediate need for monitoring and maintaining the operational integrity of fire service mains as directly as regular pressure testing does.