Immediate action guide
Fire Protection Contractor Emergency Action Steps
What to do right now before a fire protection contractor arrives, with clear lines for 911, utility, and contractor calls.
First rule
If there is fire, smoke, shock, collapse risk, gas odor, carbon monoxide alarm, injury, trapped people, or any uncertainty about safety, leave the area and call 911. Use these steps only when you can act from a safe position.
E1
Sprinkler Head Leaking
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the sprinkler head, ceiling, floor below, and nearby electrical devices.
- Move items away and do not touch the sprinkler head or piping.
- Catch water with buckets if safe and keep water away from electrical equipment.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call the fire-protection contractor or monitoring company and ask whether the fire department must be notified.
Do not do this
- - Do not shut sprinkler valves unless instructed by the fire department or system professional.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E2
Fire Alarm Will Not Silence
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the alarm panel, sounding devices, and all rooms in the building.
- Treat the alarm as real until you confirm there is no smoke, fire, or sprinkler flow.
- Evacuate if the cause is not obvious and keep exits clear.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call 911 for possible fire, then the alarm contractor or monitoring company after clearance.
Do not do this
- - Do not disconnect life-safety equipment to stop noise.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E3
Extinguisher Discharge
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the discharged area, appliance, panel, vehicle, or trash container.
- Make sure the fire is out from a safe distance and leave if smoke or heat continues.
- Keep the residue undisturbed until you know whether fire damage, chemicals, or electricity are involved.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call the fire department if any fire may remain, then a fire-protection contractor to recharge or replace equipment.
Do not do this
- - Do not reuse a discharged extinguisher or assume a hidden fire is out.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E4
Sprinkler System Freeze
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the frozen sprinkler pipe, attic, garage, ceiling, or exterior wall.
- Keep people away from frozen or bulging pipe and do not apply direct heat.
- Raise normal room heat if safe and watch for leaks below the pipe path.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a fire-protection contractor immediately because freeze damage can disable fire protection.
Do not do this
- - Do not drain, close, or alter sprinkler valves without professional direction.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E5
Alarm Panel Trouble After Storm
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the alarm panel, backup battery, phone or internet connection, and sensors.
- Check only the display and obvious power status; do not open the cabinet if wet or damaged.
- Keep fire watch in occupied areas until monitoring and alarms are confirmed working.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call the alarm contractor or monitoring company and report storm timing, outage, and trouble code.
Do not do this
- - Do not ignore trouble signals on life-safety systems.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.