The detailed analysis of different ways of testing water and foam sprinkler automatic extinguishing systems (AES) during the process of their operation, including an analysis of the methods contained in normative documents and patents was practiced. It is noted that test methods, mentioned in the national standards, do not meet the set objectives in a full range. It is shown that methods used in current standard, based on the examination of the sprinkling intensity in the three measuring jars, placed in the most unfavorable areas for irrigation, are imperfect during the actuation of one sprinkler or four drenchers. Usage of one sprinkler or four drenchers on a chosen area for examination of a sprinkling intensity cannot identify a real operability of AES even in the case of positive test results, because the pressure of a single most remote actuated sprinkler is much higher than the pressure of all the actuated sprinklers protecting the calculated area. In addition, the larger a calculated area - the more appreciable this difference is. However, the higher the pressure-the more the sprinkling intensity is. Besides, in real conditions during the actuation of a design quantity of sprinklers the AES flow rate, consequently its sprinkling intensity, can be lower than planned ones because of various conditions. But this failure cannot be detected during the operation of one sprinkler. Positive results of sprinkling intensity tests in the three measuring jars do not guarantee that there will be a design intensity in the limits of 12 m2 protected area, where these jars were absent. That is why there is no need in testing the AES with the flow of extinguishing agent directly on the protected object and measuring the water sprinkling intensity; there is no need in bearing fire tests of the installed AES on a protected object. Integral ways of examination of water AES via imitation of the highest remote section area of a sprinkler AES or the highest remote section area of a drencher AES were suggested. Data noted in this article belong to water AES corresponded GOST R 50680-94 and to foam AES corresponded GOST 50800-95 as well, according to test methods. Mentioned standards need a total revision in test methods section parts.