What Is an Out of Service Fire Protection System?

When you walk into your business, you probably don’t think twice about the fire sprinklers above your head or the fire alarms on the walls. But if something goes wrong, your fire protection systems are the first line of defense against a disaster.

An out of service system means something critical, like a sprinkler or suppression system, isn’t working as it should. If a fire breaks out and the system doesn’t respond, it can put lives at risk, cause major property damage, and even leave you facing legal trouble.

The Risks of an Out of Service Fire Protection System

Most buildings rely on several fire protection systems to keep people and property safe. Sprinkler systems, fire alarms, fire pumps, standpipes, kitchen suppression systems, and clean agent systems all play a critical role in stopping a fire before it gets out of control.

When even one of these systems is out of service, you face more than a maintenance issue. Some of the biggest dangers include:

• Increased fire damage: Without a working system to detect or suppress a fire, flames can spread faster and cause much more destruction.
• Risk to lives: Without reliable fire protection, employees, customers, visitors, and even first responders are in greater danger.
• Code violations: Local and state fire codes require working fire protection systems. If any of your fire protection systems are down, you could be fined or punished with other penalties.
• Costly repairs: Fires that aren’t mitigated early can lead to expensive property damage, lost revenue, and higher insurance premiums.
• Legal and liability issues: If someone gets hurt because a system wasn’t working, you could be held legally responsible.

Steps to Take When a Fire Protection System is Out of Service

Sometimes, it’s easy to tell when a fire protection system isn’t working, such as a burst sprinkler pipe. Other times, the signs might be subtle, like low water pressure in the sprinklers or emergency lights that won’t turn on during a test.

No matter how you find out, you must act fast once you know something’s wrong. 

Here’s what every building owner or manager should do if a fire protection system is out of order:

• Notify the fire department and the local fire code official: The law requires you to notify your local fire department. Failing to do so could result in fines or even forced building closures.
• Assign an impairment coordinator to manage the situation: Ensure someone, whether it be the owner or property manager, is responsible for managing the problem.
• Review your facility’s fire protection impairment program: Ensure you follow all emergency procedures.
• Prepare for additional safety measures: The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) may require a fire watch, shut down hazardous operations, or even temporarily evacuate parts of the building until the system is restored.

The quicker you act, the less risk there is to your people, property, and business operations.

How Our Techs Handle Out of Service Fire Protection Systems

At Confires, we know how important it is to act swiftly when a fire protection system isn’t working. If one of our technicians determines a system is out of service, we follow clear steps to protect your building, keep you informed, and ensure you comply with local fire codes.

Here’s what we’ll do if your system is out of service:

• Notify staff: We’ll alert your on-site employees to the issue.
• Tag the system and post notices: We’ll tag the system clearly and post a notice so everyone knows it’s not working.
• Provide a repair quote: Our team will prepare a quote for repairing or replacing any components that make the system out of service.
• Notify the fire code official: We’ll alert the local fire code official where required by code and jurisdiction.

Choose Confires for Fire Protection System Services

When it comes to fire safety, you need a team you can count on. Confires has over 40 years of experience, provides 24/7 emergency service, and boasts over 10,000 satisfied customers across New Jersey, Delaware, and Eastern Pennsylvania. We’re committed to keeping your fire protection systems in top working order and offering long-lasting, reliable solutions to meet your fire safety needs.

Call Confires today to prepare an out of service repair quote.

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