FIR/Specific/TBT-FIR-012

Fire Suppression Systems Awareness

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Fire suppression systems automatically detect and extinguish or control fires in buildings and process areas.
Types include sprinkler systems, gas suppression, foam systems, water mist, and dry powder systems.
Construction workers may encounter live suppression systems when working in occupied or operational buildings.
Accidental activation of sprinkler systems by construction work causes flooding and costly water damage.
Gas suppression systems in server rooms and plant rooms can displace oxygen, creating asphyxiation risk.
Impairment of active fire suppression during construction must be managed with a formal impairment procedure.
Temporary isolation of sprinkler zones for hot works requires a permit and compensating fire measures.
Damage to sprinkler heads, pipework, or detection systems during construction compromises building fire safety.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires fire protection measures to remain functional.
Fire suppression system impairment must be communicated to the building fire manager and all site workers.

Prevent asphyxiation	Gas suppression systems displace oxygen when activated. Workers in the protected room can suffocate within minutes.
Maintain fire protection	Impairing suppression systems during construction leaves the building unprotected, risking catastrophic fire loss.
Water damage	Accidentally activating sprinklers causes extensive flooding, equipment damage, and project delays costing millions.

Don't

Identify all fire suppression systems before starting work in any building.
Follow the formal impairment procedure before isolating any suppression zone.
Notify the building fire manager before any work that could activate or impair systems.
Protect sprinkler heads from damage by construction activities with temporary guards.
Reinstate suppression systems as soon as the construction activity is complete.
Provide compensating fire measures when suppression systems are temporarily impaired.
Brief all workers on gas suppression zones and the asphyxiation risk if activated.
Check for warning signs at room entrances indicating gas suppression protection.
Report any damage to sprinkler heads, pipework, or detection equipment immediately.
Evacuate gas-protected rooms immediately if the suppression system warning sounds.

DON'T isolate fire suppression systems without a formal impairment permit in place.
DON'T enter gas-protected rooms during or after system activation without breathing apparatus.
DON'T damage sprinkler heads with scaffold poles, ladders, or construction materials.
DON'T carry out hot works in sprinklered areas without isolating the affected zone.
DON'T leave suppression systems impaired overnight without compensating fire measures.
DON'T ignore warning signs indicating gas suppression or inert gas flooding zones.
DON'T paint over, block, or obstruct sprinkler heads during construction activities.
DON'T assume the building has no active suppression just because it looks unoccupied.
DON'T forget to reinstate the suppression system after your work is finished.
DON'T hang items from sprinkler pipework; the additional load may damage the system.

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

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