Water Based Fire System Impairment Procedures
In some instances a fire system control valve must be shut. These include fire protection system extensions or changes, pipe breakage caused by accident, and replacement of fused sprinklers after a fire. Whenever fire protection water supplies, sprinklers, fire pumps, fire hydrants, standpipes, storage tanks, or other water based fire protection systems are out of service for any reason, a fire protection emergency exists, and specific fire safety procedures are to be followed. Only SI staff may be authorized to close a fire system valve or otherwise impair any part of a water based fire protection system. To ensure that complete precautionary measures are taken the following procedures are to be followed:
1. Fill out the SI Water Based Fire System Impairment Permit (Attachment 4), and present it to the Building Manager. Indicate which valve(s) will be shut, and when, why and for how long fire protection will be out of service, and what portion(s) of the building will be without service. Also state what precautions are being taken. This information will enable the building manager to advise on the best measures to minimize the hazard, and isolate the smallest area for the shortest time. [The Building Manager will immediately call the building security office, and transmit an Outlook e-mail to the “Fire Valve Closure” list and the FM Zone Manager, providing them with the information outlined above. The security office is to immediately notify the building control room operator. In addition, should a fire system impairment directly impact the ability of the local fire department to perform tactical fire fighting operations on SI property or within SI buildings, the Building Manager shall notify the local fire department of the fire protection system impairment (i.e. water storage tank serving hydrants, fire pumps serving fire hose valves in high rise buildings, main sprinkler control valve shut off, etc.)]
2. After receiving a go-ahead from the Building Manager, fasten a ‘‘Fire Protection Out of Service” Red Tag (Attachment 5) to each shut valve. This serves as a reminder that the valve is shut. Do not lock shut valves. Both the Building Manager and the OPS Control Room are to keep a written record of the shut valve, its exact location, the date and time it was closed, the time it is expected to be reopened, and the time it was reopened.
3. Have everything ready before shutting any valves. Workers, materials and tools should all be at hand and all excavation completed. Plan the work. Familiarity with the location of water supplies, underground piping, control valves and sectional valves is a necessity. Keep as much of the fire protection system in service as possible by isolating the impaired area using system divisional valves. Provide plugs or caps to enable open pipe ends to be closed quickly in case of fire. Avoid using flange blanks as much as possible. If used, establish a follow-up system to ensure removal.
4. Work without interruption until completion. In no case may a valve remain closed overnight without special permission from the Building Manager.
5. If possible, schedule work during idle periods when fewer ignition hazards are present.
6. The Building Manager is to ensure all hazardous processes in the effected area(s) are shut down while fire protection is out of service. All ignition sources, such as cutting and welding, should be stopped.
7. OPS is to assign security officers to perform fire watch duties (see part C.4 of Chapter 36, “Fire Protection”, of this Manual) where protection is out of service when the area is not normally occupied.
8. When work is completed:
- Make certain all valves are left fully open.
- Make a full-flow drain test on the downstream side of each valve that was closed. This test is very important as the final check to ensure that all control valves have been left in the wide open position and that the water flow alarm is functioning properly. Fully open the drain valve and observe the pressure gauge. A quick return of pressure after the drain valve is closed indicates the valve is open to allow good flow. A slow return means there is partial obstruction. No return means the valve is totally shut or completely obstructed. Sometimes a valve disk becomes detached and slips into the closed position, yet the valve appears to be open. Other mechanical troubles or obstructed pipes similarly may give poor drain test results. Investigate immediately if drain tests are unsatisfactory.
- Ensure the water flow alarm and valve tamper switch are reset, or lock the valve(s) after ensuring they are in the open position.
9. Telephone the Building Manager when the valve(s) have been reopened and the red tag(s) removed. [The Building Manager will immediately call the building security office (who will in turn alert the control room operator), and transmit an Outlook e-e-mail ‘‘Fire Protection Restored’’ e-mail to the “Fire Valve Closure” list and the FM Zone Manager, confirming that a full-flow drain test has been conducted and that the valve(s) have been left in the fully open position.
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