Fire Safety Requirements for Alteration and Impairment of Water Based Fire Suppression Systems

There fire safety requirements are in addition and not in lieu of the requirements of 527 CMR 1.00, MGL 148, 780 CMR, and the Lawrence Fire Prevention Code:

1. In the event of an emergency: Dial 911.
2. In the event of any fire alarm activation or fire, the work shall be stopped, open lines capped and the system turned back on.
3. All responsible personnel shall be instructed as to the location of the sprinkler control valve that controls the impaired area under construction, alteration or maintenance. Personnel shall understand how to turn the valve on.
4. Security personnel shall be notified of the system shut down.
5. A “Red Tag Permit” system shall be in place prior to start of work. If you do not know what a Tag Permit system is, see NFPA 25, Chapter 11.
6. A log shall be kept of all the Red Tags and their location.
7. Tags are required at the fire command center and control valve for the area affected.
8. All required means of egress shall be maintained at all times.
9. Work shall be performed without interruption so that fire protection systems are not shut down any longer than necessary.
10. All tenants affected by the impairment shall be notified as to the location and time(s) of the impairment.
11. At least one responsible person must remain at the impaired location at all times while system is impaired.
12. The Fire Department (Fire Alarm Division 978-620-3403) shall be notified when the fire alarm and sprinkler system is shut down and restored. To report an emergency: Dial 911
13. A log book shall be kept, containing location, time of placement, time of removal, personnel responsible for flange blanks if they are used.
14. A system acceptance or periodic test shall be performed in accordance with applicable NFPA standards. The results shall be given to the building owner or property manager and kept on site.
    • NFPA 13 Automatic Sprinkler Systems
    • NFPA 14 Standpipes
    • NFPA 20 Fire Pumps
    • NFPA 25 Maintenance
15. The sprinkler system will be returned to full service at the end of each working day.
16. The fire alarm system shall be returned to full service at the end of each working day.
17. Work shall be planned and all materials at the job site and ready for use.
18. Fire extinguishers shall be placed in unprotected area(s). As a minimum, for Light (Low) Hazard Occupancies, One, 2-A extinguisher is required per 3,000 sq. ft. (see NFPA 10).
19. No Cutting or Welding operations are allowed in unprotected area(s) while sprinkler system is shut off.
20. No Smoking in unprotected areas while sprinkler system is shut off.
21. No work shall begin until all the fire safety requirements and or the extended impairment plan has been implemented.
22. All sprinkler work shall be coordinated with the Lawrence Fire Prevention office.  Any areas shut down shall be done so only after approval by the office and with proper notification/signage for any emergency personnel.