RISK CONTROL
REDUCE RISK. PREVENT LOSS. SAVE LIVES.
Fire protection impairments
Are you prepared?
A fire protection impairment is any condition that affects the ability of fixed fire protection
equipment to detect, control, or suppress a fire in the way it was designed or intended.
If fires occur when these detection or suppression systems are impaired, the results can be
catastrophic. The destruction may cause loss of life, property and the ability to serve customers.
Even if you are fully insured, some loss costs may not be recoverable!
Fire Protection Equipment
Out of Service!
(see other side)
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT OUT OF SERVICE!
REMINDER CARD
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT OUT OF SERVICE!
(see other side)
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT OUT OF SERVICE!
Out of Service!
When impaired fire protection equipment is returned to
service, complete this side of the card and file it for review
by Travelers Risk Control Consultant.
Fire Protection Equipment
When impaired fire protection equipment is returned to
service, complete this side of the card and file it for review
by Travelers Risk Control Consultant.
REMINDER CARD
When impaired fire protection equipment is returned to
service, complete this side of the card and file it for review
by Travelers Risk Control Consultant.
(see other side)
Date & Time Restored:
Number of Turns to Open Valves:
(Compare with number of “Turns to Close Valve”
on reverse side.)
Pressure/Drain Test Results (For Sprinkler Systems):
1. Notify alarm company if system is monitored.
2. Open control valve to restore protection.
3. Check area of sprinkler drain discharge to prevent
injury or water damage.
4. Open 2-inch main drain completely and record flowing
water pressure once the pressure stabilizes.
5. Close the drain, and record the static pressure.
Static
psi Flowing
psi
6. Compare drain test results with prior test results.
7. Notify the alarm company that testing is completed.
Restored By:
Out of Service!
Date & Time Restored:
Number of Turns to Open Valves:
(Compare with number of “Turns to Close Valve”
on reverse side.)
Pressure/Drain Test Results (For Sprinkler Systems):
1. Notify alarm company if system is monitored.
2. Open control valve to restore protection.
3. Check area of sprinkler drain discharge to prevent
injury or water damage.
4. Open 2-inch main drain completely and record flowing
water pressure once the pressure stabilizes.
5. Close the drain, and record the static pressure.
Static
psi Flowing
psi
6. Compare drain test results with prior test results.
7. Notify the alarm company that testing is completed.
Restored By:
Fire Protection Equipment
Date & Time Restored:
Number of Turns to Open Valves:
(Compare with number of “Turns to Close Valve”
on reverse side.)
Pressure/Drain Test Results (For Sprinkler Systems):
1. Notify alarm company if system is monitored.
2. Open control valve to restore protection.
3. Check area of sprinkler drain discharge to prevent
injury or water damage.
4. Open 2-inch main drain completely and record flowing
water pressure once the pressure stabilizes.
5. Close the drain, and record the static pressure.
Static
psi Flowing
psi
6. Compare drain test results with prior test results.
7. Notify the alarm company that testing is completed.
Restored By:
REMINDER CARD
Fire protection
impairments
Thousands of dollars are invested in
fire detection and suppression systems;
however, the value of the lives, property
and operations they protect is much
higher.
What can I do to control the
impairment?
Extraordinary precautions should be
taken while fire protection is out of
service. With a planned impairment, you
have time to provide safeguards, supply
the necessary equipment to repair
the equipment and make temporary
provisions. These impairments usually
can be addressed without incident.
Unplanned impairments are more
serious because they do not allow time
to offset potential loss.
Consider this when you experience a fire protection impairment
in your facility. Attend to these impairments immediately!
Which fire protection systems are affected by
impairments?
The following protection systems may be affected by impairments:
Fire protection water
supplies:
Automatic special fire
extinguishing systems using:
•
Underground pipes
•
Carbon dioxide
•
Fire pumps
•
Halon
•
Valves
•
Halon-substitute gaseous agent
•
Foam
•
Tanks used as sprinkler or
hydrant water sources
•
Automatic sprinkler systems:
Dry or wet chemical
extinguishing agent
•
Wet pipe
Detection and alarm systems:
•
Dry pipe
•
•
Deluge
•
•
Preaction
•
Smoke and heat detection
Sprinkler system water flow
alarms
Fire pump running conditions
What are the common causes of impairments?
Fire protection impairments can be planned due to building
renovations or scheduled inspection and maintenance of fire
protection installations. Impairments can also be unplanned
due to mechanical damage, freezing, equipment malfunction
or improperly closed valves.
•
•
Mechanical damage can
include a sprinkler line broken
by a lift truck or a yard
hydrant struck by a vehicle.
Freezing conditions causing
impairments include building
heat failure or sprinkler piping
in inadequately heated spaces.
•
•
Equipment malfunctions
may be electrical, mechanical
or a combination of both. An
example is a diesel-driven fire
pump that fails to start during
the weekly test.
Improperly closed sprinkler
valves can occur when
employees close the wrong
valve or when they fail to
restore a valve once repairs
are completed.
There are seven steps you should follow
in the event of a planned or unplanned
impairment:
1. Minimize hazards
Materials, processes, employee activities and maintenance
operations may be hazardous, yet adequately controlled by special
protective equipment. When this protective equipment is out of
service, hazards should be minimized by reducing or completely
stopping operations. Some examples include:
•
•
•
•
Discontinue use and transfer of flammable liquids in
buildings if the sprinkler system is out of service.
Postpone scheduled maintenance involving cutting, welding, grinding
or similar hot work if protection in the work area is out of service.
Control smoking when fire protection is out of service.
Schedule planned impairments during off hours or weekends
when production hazards are reduced.
Note: Some fire prevention authorities and codes may require
building evacuation when automatic fire protection is impaired.
2. Provide temporary protection
Numerous temporary safeguards are available when
protection is impaired.
•
Notify the plant brigade.
•
Bring extra portable fire extinguishers to the area.
•
•
Use a fire hose that is preconnected to hydrants and stretched
into affected areas.
Use tie-ins through cross-connections from an in-service
sprinkler system to an impaired system.
3. Expedite repairs
Use the maximum amount of effort and the minimum amount of
time to restore fire protection.
•
•
5. Intensify watchman service, employee patrols
or fire watches
In many cases, the impairment will eliminate automatic fire
detection capability. Therefore, it is necessary to provide substitute
methods for prompt detection of a fire or a dangerous condition.
One substitute is to have capable, competent personnel conduct
scheduled tours of the affected areas. If standard watchman
service is provided, conduct tours throughout the affected area
at more frequent intervals. Clearly explain the procedures for
summoning fire department aid.
6. Provide notification and use a tag system
The impairment notification and valve closed tag system was
developed to:
•
•
Make employees, fire brigade and fire department personnel
aware of the shut valve by using prominent shut-valve tagging.
Help ensure that protection is restored following maintenance
and repairs.
You should notify your local Travelers office, by phone or by fax,
in the event of an unplanned impairment OR when a planned
impairment cannot be completed in one day, OR when you
need advice or assistance in managing a serious fire protection
impairment. For a planned impairment, provide as much advance
notice as possible. In addition, your Risk Control Consultant may
recommend other procedures for your location based on the
operations and exposures to loss present.
Our Risk Control Consultants can advise you on methods to help
limit the increased loss exposure during the impairment period.
Use the valve tag system to ensure that systems are fully restored
after repairs or maintenance are completed.
For planned impairments, have all replacement parts on hand
before the system is shut down.
7. Manage the impairment – provide responsibility
and authority
Schedule work to occur continuously once the job is started.
A competent individual should be selected to manage and
properly control the entire impairment. This individual should have
authority over all activities involved in controlling the increased
exposure to loss created by the impairment. These activities
include minimizing hazards, providing temporary protection,
expediting repairs, providing notification and tagging, conducting
surveillance, and confirming restoration.
4. Notify the public fire department
Seek assistance from local fire authorities when impairments
occur. Depending on the severity, the fire department may assign
personnel and equipment to the site until the impairment is
resolved and protection is restored. Or an officer may personally
evaluate the problem and alert the other fire companies of the
impairment at your facility.
Shut Off By:
Approved By:
Precautions Taken
(See Travelers Fire Protection Impairments Brochure):
a.m./p.m.
Shut Off By:
Approved By:
a.m./p.m.
Precautions Taken
(See Travelers Fire Protection Impairments Brochure):
Fire Protection System No./Name:
Area Controlled:
Date & Time Shut Off:
Number of Turns to Close Valves:
Reason for Fire Protection Equipment Shut-Off:
Shut Off By:
Approved By:
a.m./p.m.
Precautions Taken
(See Travelers Fire Protection Impairments Brochure):
Fire Protection System No./Name:
Area Controlled:
Date & Time Shut Off:
Number of Turns to Close Valves:
Reason for Fire Protection Equipment Shut-Off:
Complete this side of tag and attach it to the control
point (valve, switch, panel) of the impaired fire protection
equipment.
Complete this side of tag and attach it to the control
point (valve, switch, panel) of the impaired fire protection
equipment.
Complete this side of tag and attach it to the control
point (valve, switch, panel) of the impaired fire protection
equipment.
Fire Protection System No./Name:
Area Controlled:
Date & Time Shut Off:
Number of Turns to Close Valves:
Reason for Fire Protection Equipment Shut-Off:
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT OUT OF SERVICE!
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT OUT OF SERVICE!
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT OUT OF SERVICE!
REMINDER CARD
Post this tag in a conspicuous place in your office
as a reminder to restore impaired fire protection
equipment.
Fire Protection System No./Name:
Area Controlled:
Date & Time for Shut-Off:
a.m./p.m.
Anticipated Date & Time for Restoration:
a.m./p.m.
REMINDER CARD
Post this tag in a conspicuous place in your office
as a reminder to restore impaired fire protection
equipment.
Fire Protection System No./Name:
Area Controlled:
Date & Time for Shut-Off:
a.m./p.m.
Anticipated Date & Time for Restoration:
a.m./p.m.
REMINDER CARD
Post this tag in a conspicuous place in your office
as a reminder to restore impaired fire protection
equipment.
Fire Protection System No./Name:
Area Controlled:
Date & Time for Shut-Off:
a.m./p.m.
Anticipated Date & Time for Restoration:
a.m./p.m.
travelers.com
The Travelers Indemnity Company and its property casualty affiliates. One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183
The information provided in this document is intended for use as a guideline and is not intended as, nor does it constitute, legal or professional advice. Travelers does not warrant that adherence to,
or compliance with, any recommendations, best practices, checklists, or guidelines will result in a particular outcome. In no event will Travelers or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates be liable in tort
or in contract to anyone who has access to or uses this information. Travelers does not warrant that the information in this document constitutes a complete and finite list of each and every item or
procedure related to the topics or issues referenced herein. Furthermore, federal, state or local laws, regulations, standards or codes may change from time to time and the reader should always refer
to the most current requirements. This material does not amend, or otherwise affect, the provisions or coverages of any insurance policy or bond issued by Travelers, nor is it a representation that
coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any such policy or bond. Coverage depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss, all applicable policy or
bond provisions, and any applicable law.
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