Managing Fire Protection System Impairment

1 Managing Fire Protection System Impairment But, the fact remains: If a fire ignites in an area where the fire Protection System has been impaired, the fire can spread unabated. As a result, it's important to take quick and efficient steps to minimize the duration of the Can your company afford to lose From 1986 to 2005, shut sprinkler Impairment and implement temporary US$ million in assets? Forgetting valves were a factor in 229 fire losses measures to help prevent a loss from to restore an impaired sprinkler or insured by FM Global, causing more occurring while Protection is out other fire Protection System at your than US$739 million* gross in of service.

2 Facility could cost that much damage an average of more than or more. US$ million per incident. All Fortunately, there are a number of the events, which resulted in a large steps you can take to ensure your fa- Should a fire occur while the System loss to our clients' assets, could have cility's fire Protection System is ready is impaired, the fire quickly could been prevented with a strong impair- when you need it, and following grow undetected and spread beyond ment management program, such as FM Global's Red Tag Permit System the control capabilities of the FM Global's Red Tag Permit System .

3 Is top on the list. Designed to help Protection System . you manage impairments and restore In fact, further investigation of these full fire Protection , this program com- Loss Example 1: events revealed that sprinkler control prises four key elements: A sprinkler System was shut down valves had been closed for the A. Red Tag Permit after a small fire at a manufacturing following reasons: B. Fire Protection Equipment facility was thought to have been Sprinkler System installation Decals extinguished by sprinklers and Sprinkler System repair C. R eusable Impairment Tag for hose streams applied by company Building alteration Fire Service Connections employees.

4 The sprinkler System was Maintenance D. R ed Tag Permit System not restored promptly and the local Lack of heat in the protected area Wall Hanger fire service was not notified of the fire. The fire rekindled and spread However, every time you take your beyond the capabilities of the sprin- fire Protection equipment out of ser- kler System even though employees vice, even for a minute, you create a reopened the sprinkler System 's fire hazard. Sure, making repairs, in- shut valve as soon as the fire was stalling new equipment or completing discovered. The resulting damage building alterations are among valid was estimated at more than US$84 reasons for impairing Protection .

5 Million gross. *Indexed to 2006 dollars This brochure is made available for informational purposes only in support of the insurance relationship between FM Global and its clients. This information does not change or supplement policy terms or conditions. The liability of FM Global is limited to that contained in its insurance policies. Managing Fire Protection System Impairment 2 of 8. The following guidelines require the use of FM Global's Red Tag Red Tag Permit System Permit System Wall Hanger (P7427), which includes: One copy of this brochure One sheet of Fire Protection Equipment Decals (P7834) to affix to fire Protection equipment as a reminder that authorization is needed before any shutdown can occur One x ( x ) wall hanger with pockets to keep other elements of the System organized and within reach; also lists steps to take before, during and after an Impairment Four Red Tag Permits (F2480).

6 To authorize impairments and document tasks as they are performed A. Red Tag Permit (F2480) B. F ire Protection Equipment C. Reusable Impairment Decals (P7834) Tag for Fire Service One Reusable Impairment Tag Connections (P7427t). for Fire Service Connections (P7427t) to wire to fire service connections as a reminder that fire Protection is out of service. Be sure to familiarize personnel with this System as soon as possible before planning your next fire Protection System Impairment . Display the wall hanger where it is clearly visible and alert personnel to its location. Educate staff about all procedures and let them know who is assigned to authorize an Impairment .

7 D. Red Tag Permit System Wall Hanger (P7427). Managing Fire Protection System Impairment 3 of 8. Before a Planned Impairment rohibit any process with an P. inherent ignition source, such as active System (you will need an adapter to connect the hose to omplete all applicable sections C hot work. Smoking also should the drain). of the permit (see page 5), pro- be prohibited. Notify your emergency response viding key information, such as Be prepared. Have everything team (ERT) and the public fire telephone numbers for your local ready before impairing protec- service so they can be ready fire service, alarm company, wa- tion, , excavating equipment, to handle any emergency that ter department, and FM Global pipe plugs, repair parts might occur.

8 Office servicing your property. and personnel. If fire Protection equipment can Affix the red-and-white Fire Pro- Plan to have temporary fire pro- be restored, determine how to tection Equipment Decals to all tection on hand: extra extinguish- quickly return it to service in Protection equipment to remind ers, charged hose lines, tempo- case a fire occurs during personnel that authorization is rary sprinkler Protection , etc. the Impairment . needed before any shutdown Set up temporary sprinkler pro- Assign a fire watch to patrol can occur. tection, especially for prolonged the area where Protection Plan to work on fire Protection impairments, by running a is impaired.

9 When the facility is not operat- (65-mm) hose from the hydrant Notify your local FM Global ing. Shut down any hazardous to the 2-in. (50-mm) drain of an office of the planned Impairment . processes. (For the FM Global office closest to you, visit our Web site at ). An engineer and/or client service representative can advise you on how to proceed and follow up until protec- tion has been restored. In addition, he or she can help minimize downtime, if possible, reduce fire exposure to the area, arrange for temporary Protection , and determine how to restore Protection as quickly as possible in the event of a fire.

10 Managing Fire Protection System Impairment 4 of 8. Completing the Red Tag Permit The precautions listed at the top of all three parts will help you and your FM Global engineer determine the specific actions you need to take. The information provided in Part 1 transfers to Parts 2 and 3. Part 1 Red Tag Permit Part 2 Out of Service Part 3 Fire Protection This section becomes a record of the Place Part 2 in the center pocket Out of Service Impairment . The firesafety supervisor of the wall hanger as a reminder Issue Part 3 to the fire Protection completes, signs and issues the permit, of the Impairment .