APS FireCo's own Vice President, Chris Jones, provides valuable information about fire protection systems after hurricanes and other severe weather disasters.

Fire is a real threat after an event like Hurricane Harvey or Irma. You could be dealing with obstructed access to our facilities by Emergency response teams (EMS, Fire Department, Hazmat,etc.); flood damaged fire protection systems (fire alarm, fire sprinkler, specialty fire detection/suppression systems, fire extinguishers, etc…), municipal water supplies for fire sprinkler systems could be down or inoperable, power lost or downed live electrical lines, floating flammable liquids on the flood waters and many more hazards that make it important your fire protection is working properly.

All fire protection systems should be inspected and tested for proper operation following a distaster including:

• The fire protection systems need to be restored as quickly as possible.
• Visually inspect Fire Protection systems as they could have been physically damaged from storms/flooding.
• Replace all damaged or submerged fire extinguishers.
• Sprinkler systems valves, fire pumps, controllers, water mains, jokey pumps, etc. need to be inspected and tested for proper operation.
• Fire alarm and detection systems need to be powered up and fully tested for proper operation.  Repair/replace devices or materials if found damaged or inoperable.
• All special hazard fire suppression/detection systems should be inspected and tested for proper operation.
• If deficiencies or issues are present with any fire protection systems, immediate repair and replacement should be completed.