Commercial Fire Sprinklers: Dealing With Accidental Discharge

4/18/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial sprinkler systems for fire suppression are literal life-saving tools. However, as with most pieces of equipment and machinery, these systems can have quirks and flaws. It is not out of the question that a fire suppression system accidentally discharges or goes off, resulting in flooding and potential damage. In this situation, it can be hard to decide what to do and what order to do it in. Therefore, to make things easy, follow the four steps below.

1. Shut Off Water Supply

Shut off the water supply to the system the moment you realize that there has been a misfire. A fast response here will help to limit the amount of outflow and the potential water damage. Do not be alarmed if it takes a moment for the water to cease; it has to evacuate the lines first.

2. Call Insurance Company

You will want to call your insurance company next to discuss the claims process and how to move forward. Calling your insurer immediately will mean that they can send an assessor out as soon as possible to assess any flooding damage, and to determine culpability. This assessment will determine who is responsible for the repair costs.

3. Mitigate Further Damage

When preparing to make a claim, you will want to mitigate further damage to ensure that the assessor does not deem you negligent. Most insurance providers require that action be taken to limit the extent of the damage. Therefore, you may want to focus on drying and removing any valuable items, like furniture and equipment, limiting exposure and possibly salvaging some items.

4. Hire a Restoration Company

Call a restoration specialist in the Aqua Vista, CT, area to help you restore your facility. They will likely offer mitigation services as well. These companies are also likely a better choice than the DIY option because they are trained in disaster cleanup.

Fire sprinklers are a necessary piece of equipment for commercial buildings. While they are designed to operate under specific circumstances, like any machine, they can malfunction, causing flooding and property damage. If this happens, follow the steps above and hire a restoration company.