What Is an Out of Service Fire Protection System?
An out of service fire protection system is a system that will not function as intended during a fire event which presents a hazard to the property, its occupants, and first responders. It fails to perform critical safety functions, leaving a facility vulnerable to fire hazards.
Whether you’re dealing with a malfunctioning kitchen fire suppression system or fire sprinklers, these issues compromise your safety and code compliance. Liberty Fire Solutions safeguards businesses throughout Pennsylvania, and nearby areas with comprehensive fire protection services, offering industry-leading solutions for a range of facilities.
The Risks of an Out of Service Fire Protection System
When a fire protection system is rendered inoperative, the stakes are high. Modern facilities rely on integrated systems such as fire sprinklers, vehicle fire suppression, fire extinguishers, kitchen suppression, and more. Compromised systems can lead to severe consequences like spreading flames and magnified incidents due to a lack of timely repairs.
These gaps can delay emergency services and increase fire suppression issues. Urgent inspections and repairs are required to maintain compliance and operational integrity.
Steps to Take When a Fire Protection System Is Out of Service
Recognizing a failing system is the first step toward reestablishing a safe environment. Signs it’s time to call a professional:
- Unexpected error codes
- Persistent warnings of a system malfunction or irregularities
- A flaw in fire sprinkler repair responsiveness
- An intermittently functional system
- Issues uncovered during routine fire protection inspection services
As an owner and/or building management, you are required to:
- Notify the fire department: Contact the fire department and the fire official immediately that your fire protection system is out of service or impaired.
- Assign an impairment coordinator: Designate a responsible individual to oversee the situation during the system’s impairment period, ensuring that every task, from initial notification to final repair, is meticulously managed.
- Review and comply: Adhere strictly to your established procedures and reference your local fire codes and NFPA standards for more information.
- Reference the technician’s inspection or service report: This document will pinpoint the precise deficiencies requiring intervention, including recommendations pertinent to your fire protection equipment impairment.
How Our Techs Handle Out-of-Service Fire Protection Systems
If during an inspection, testing, maintenance or repair service at your facility, our technician observes a fire protection system is out of service, the following will be performed:
- Notify on-site staff: The first response is to immediately alert onsite personnel about the affected system. In situations where no one is present, an automated email notification is promptly dispatched.
- Tag the faulty equipment: The malfunctioning component is clearly marked with a dedicated tag to prevent its inadvertent use and serve as a visual alert for the need for prompt repair.
- Issue an impairment notice: We generate an impairment notice that documents the specific system at fault.
- Provide a detailed repair quote: A precise quote is then prepared, detailing the necessary work—be it fire sprinkler repair, component replacement, or other corrective actions.
- Notify the fire code official: Where required by jurisdictional codes and fire safety system compliance regulations, we ensure that the responsible fire code official is fully informed of the situation, paving the way for rapid resolution.
This thorough process facilitates emergency fire system restoration and underscores our dedication to maintaining excellence in fire protection services and overall safety system compliance.
Choose Liberty Fire Solutions for Fire Protection Services
Liberty Fire Solutions has been the cornerstone of fire protection services for over 40 years, blending expertise with advanced technology to deliver outstanding results. Serving Central and Eastern Pennsylvania and Western Maryland, our solutions cover all aspects of fire safety, from handling out of service fire sprinklers and correcting system malfunctions to overcoming fire suppression system issues and ensuring thorough fire extinguisher inspection and repair. Our ability to tackle troubleshooting challenges embodies the core of our emergency services, ensuring your facility meets the highest standards of fire safety compliance.
Is your fire protection system out of service? Call Liberty Fire Solutions today to request a quote.
FAQs
What happens if I do not contact the AHJ?
Failing to contact the Authority Having Jurisdiction can result in significant legal violations, as neglecting this essential step may compromise compliance and safety.
What’s an impairment coordinator?
The person that is responsible for your fire protection system. Typically, your owner, landlord, property manager, maintenance staff, etc. Guardian will never act as your impairment coordinator or designated representative.
What happens if I contact the AHJ?
Once you engage with the AHJ, they thoroughly assess whether your facility can safely continue operations while the protection remains interrupted. This evaluation may lead to a temporary suspension of hazardous processes or the imposition of alternate fire protection measures.
Does having an out-of-service fire protection system mean I am on fire watch?
No, the responsibility of establishing a fire watch is strictly within the scope of the Fire Marshal, or the local AHJ has the authority to require a fire watch, not your fire protection contractor.
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