FIR/General/TBT-FIR-018

Fire Suppression Systems Awareness

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Fire suppression systems include sprinklers, gas suppression, foam systems, and water mist installations.
These systems activate automatically to control or extinguish fires, protecting building occupants and structure.
Construction workers may encounter live suppression systems in occupied buildings during refurbishment work.
Accidental activation of sprinkler systems causes significant water damage to completed finishes and equipment.
Gas suppression systems in server rooms and plant areas displace oxygen and can cause asphyxiation.
Impairment of fire suppression systems during construction must be managed under a formal impairment procedure.
BS 9251 covers residential sprinkler systems and BS EN 12845 covers commercial and industrial sprinklers.
Hot works, dust, and accidental impact are the most common causes of false activation during construction.
Any planned impairment must be notified to the building occupier, fire service, and insurer as required.
Workers must know which areas have active suppression systems and what type of system is installed.

Prevent asphyxiation	Gas suppression systems displace oxygen rapidly — entering a discharged room without breathing apparatus is fatal.
Avoid water damage	Accidental sprinkler activation causes extensive damage to completed work, costing thousands to repair.
Fire safety continuity	Impairing suppression systems without proper procedure leaves the building unprotected during construction work.

Don't

Identify all active fire suppression systems in the building before starting any work
Follow the formal impairment procedure before isolating any suppression system for work
Notify the building occupier, insurers, and fire service of any planned system impairment
Protect sprinkler heads from impact, dust, and paint contamination during construction work
Use hot works permits and fire watches in areas protected by suppression systems
Reinstate impaired suppression systems as soon as the work requiring isolation is complete
Brief all workers on the types and locations of active suppression systems on site
Treat gas suppression areas as hazardous — do not enter after system discharge without BA
Maintain alternative fire protection measures during any suppression system impairment period
Report any accidental damage to sprinkler heads or pipework to the supervisor immediately

DON'T hang materials, signs, or equipment from sprinkler pipework or heads
DON'T enter a room after gas suppression discharge without breathing apparatus and training
DON'T impair fire suppression systems without following the formal impairment procedure
DON'T paint over, cap, or obstruct sprinkler heads during construction or finishing work
DON'T carry out hot works near sprinkler heads without protecting them from heat activation
DON'T leave suppression systems impaired longer than the minimum period necessary for the work
DON'T ignore warning signs indicating gas suppression zones in plant rooms and server areas
DON'T assume all suppression systems use water — gas and foam systems have different hazards
DON'T reset or silence suppression system alarms without authorisation from the responsible person
DON'T store flammable materials in areas where suppression systems have been impaired

See also: Fire Safety Awareness on Site | Fire Safety in Occupied Buildings

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