What Do I Do if My Fire Sprinklers Accidentally Discharge?

8/31/2023 (Permalink)

Consider these tips if your Fire Sprinklers Accidentally Discharge.

Many commercial building owners are wary about having a fire sprinkler system in their commercial buildings because of the risk of it accidentally discharging and flooding the building. Although the chance is minuscule, there are no guarantees that something won't happen at some point.

If your Colorado Springs, CO sprinklers do go off for whatever reason, getting the water deluge stopped quickly is the primary goal. If you can contain it right away, you can typically avoid significant water damage. There are various reasons why fire sprinklers sometimes discharge unexpectedly.

• Overheating
• Freezing
• Defects and Damage
• Corrosion
• Vandalism

Steps To Take After an Accidental Discharge

Getting a fire sprinkler inspection once a year can help prevent accidents. An inspection can also ensure your sprinkler system will work properly if you need it. If, by chance, you've experienced this misfortune, you know it's essential to understand what steps to take to immediately begin mitigating the damage.

1. Cut Off the Water Supply

First, shut off the sprinklers' water supply. If it's just an accidental discharge, you can do it yourself. However, if they went off due to a fire, the fire department would have to turn them off.

2. Call For Help

Most likely, you won't be able to shut off the water in time to avoid a lot of water in your building. It's best to hire flood damage restoration specialists to handle the job. This company can do most of the work, such as extracting the standing water, removing unsalvageable materials, cleaning, sanitizing, drying, and repairing structural damage. They have industrial-grade equipment such as water pumps, fans, and dehumidifiers for fast, effective remediation. They can also perform an inspection when they finish the job to make sure you can avoid mold growth. Hiring professionals can give you peace of mind knowing your building is returned to its preloss condition.

3. Detail the Damage

As soon as you get everything under control and can safely do so, it's best to document the flooding and other damage with notes, photos and videos to show your insurance adjuster for a more accurate claim. They will want proof of the damage from as close to the time of the occurrence as possible.

4. Contact Your Insurance Company

Next, contact your insurance company to commence the claim process. They will probably send an adjuster to survey the damage in person. The restoration company will likely bill your insurance company directly for the work they perform; this should avoid out-of-pocket costs, at least in the short term.

5. Salvage the System Parts

In the case of an accidental discharge, it's helpful to save as many of the sprinkler parts as you can. Doing this can help professionals determine why the system was activated. When your fire sprinklers go off for seemingly no reason, you can incur a significant loss.

However, the risk of a fire is greater than the risk of flooding from an accidental discharge, so it's definitely preferable to have a sprinkler system in your building. At the same time, it can also prove beneficial to know what actions to take if the worst happens. Taking quick action can help you mitigate the loss as much as possible.