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What Is an Out of Service Fire Protection System?

A fire could break out at any time on your property, so it’s crucial to have reliable fire protection systems in place. Unfortunately, even the best systems can fail to perform due to age or poor service and maintenance.

An out of service or impaired fire protection system is one that isn’t operating correctly. This means your system will not function as intended during a fire event, which presents a hazard to the property, its occupants, and first responders.

If your fire sprinklers, fire alarms, fire suppression systems, or special hazards systems are out of service, you risk serious problems and code violations. Below, Guardian Fire Protection explains the risks of out of service fire protection systems and the steps you should take to resolve the issue.

The Risks of an Out of Service Fire Protection System

Commercial and industrial properties have various fire protection systems to help prevent fires, mitigate subsequent damage, and protect the lives and safety of occupants. When even one system fails to operate correctly, the risk of fire damage can rise substantially.

When any system is out of service or impaired, it may lead to:

The rapid spread of fire: When a fire breaks out, a fire protection system acts to extinguish or slow the spread of fire.
Irreparable property damage: As the fire spreads and involves more areas of the building, the fire and smoke will create more damage and cost much more to remediate.
Higher risk of injury: If a fire protection system fails to operate properly in the event of a fire, it increases the risk to life safety, delaying egress or exposing occupants to the harmful effects of fire and smoke.

When a fire protection system breaks down or malfunctions, it’s critical to take steps to get it running again as soon as possible.

Signs That Your Fire Protection System is Out of Service

You may have an out of service fire protection system if:

Your sprinkler control valve is closed or off.
Your fire alarm system does not sound horns and flash its strobes during an alarm.
Your commercial kitchen automatic detection line is inoperable.
Your clean agent system suppressant cylinders are empty or low on pressure.

These are just a few situations that could indicate a problem.

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

If your fire protection system is out of service or impaired, be sure to act fast. The sooner you control the situation, the safer you and your occupants will be from severe fire damage.

Your fire protection system is required to be in service at all times. When impaired, the system is required to be remedied as soon as possible, or the property owner or designated representative is required to follow impairment procedures.

It’s critical to restore your fire protection system quickly. Take these steps if your fire protection systems are out of order:

Notify the fire department that your system is out of service.
Assign an impairment coordinator to oversee the situation.
Review and comply with your local fire code and NFPA codes.

How Our Techs Handle Out of Service Fire Protection Systems

At Guardian Fire Protection, our experts can diagnose and resolve a wide range of issues that can cause your fire protection system to be out of service. When you partner with us, we’ll:

Notify staff: We’ll advise the on-site staff contact of the issue. If your staff is off-site, we’ll notify them using the email address on file.
Tag the system: Our technicians will place a tag on the malfunctioning system with a tag.
Impairment notice: We’ll provide an impairment notice listing the system that is out of service.
Provide a quote: Our office will prepare a quote outlining the cost of repair or components needed and a timeline for repair. The property owner or designated representative is responsible for impairment coordination until the repair is made or until an agreement with their fire official is reached.
Notify the fire code official: Our team will alert the fire code official of the system that is impaired at your building where required by code and jurisdiction.

Why Choose Guardian Fire Protection?

For over 40 years, Guardian Fire Protection has been the trusted name in fire protection services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia. We provide 24/7 emergency assistance and comprehensive solutions. Count on us for accurate estimates and effective repairs for your fire protection systems.

Call Guardian Fire Protection today to request a quote for your out of service system.

FAQs

What is an impairment coordinator, and why do I need one?

The impairment coordinator is the person at your property who is responsible for your fire protection system. Typically, this is the owner, landlord, property manager, maintenance staff, etc.

This person is required to ensure impairment procedures are followed to prioritize life safety in the building. Guardian will never act as your impairment coordinator or designated representative.

Where can I find the contact for my local fire code official?

Your local city, county, or state will have contact information on their website for the Fire Marshal, Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), and fire department.

Do I need to contact the AHJ about my situation?

Yes, the AHJ must be notified when any of your fire protection systems are out of service. They may require a fire watch, suspend hazardous processes, require alternative fire protection, or, in severe cases, order a building evacuation.

Will I be on fire watch while the system is down?

Check with your local Fire Official as they are the ultimate authority on this situation. Only a Fire Marshal can place you on fire watch.

Your insurance company may also place restrictions on your business activities while the system is out of order.

Can Guardian Fire Protection perform the repairs and restore the system while onsite?

If our technician has the required materials to restore or repair the system, they will seek approval from an authorized site contact to perform the repairs. If not, they will send a quote to your facility contact for approval and return at a later date.

Category: Fire Protection