🏢 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ALERT
With freezing temperatures forecast for North Texas, commercial properties face unique risks. Burst pipes can cause extensive damage, and if your fire suppression system goes down, fire code requires immediate action. Here's what you need to know.
|
3,000 psi
Pressure when water freezes in pipes
|
60 min
Maximum interval between Fire Watch patrols
|
|
|
💧 Protecting Your Pipes
|
Commercial Vulnerabilities
Commercial buildings often have plumbing in locations that residential properties don't—and these areas are particularly vulnerable to freezing:
🏭 High-Risk Areas
- Loading docks and roll-up doors
- Warehouse ceilings
- Mechanical rooms
- Exterior walls
- Unoccupied sections
|
✓ Prevention Steps
- Insulate exposed pipes
- Drain pipes in unoccupied areas
- Confirm freeze protocol with maintenance
- Monitor building temperatures remotely
|
📍 Locate Your Shutoffs TODAY
Find your main water shutoff valve before snow potentially covers it up. If a pipe bursts at 2 AM, you need to act immediately—not search. Check near water heaters, in mechanical rooms, or in exterior utility boxes.
|
|
🔥 Fire Suppression Systems
|
Your Sprinkler System Can Freeze Too
Wet sprinkler systems are filled with water. If that water freezes, your fire protection is compromised—and you have legal obligations under fire code.
If your fire suppression system becomes impaired for any reason, you must take immediate action.
Fire Watch Requirements
When a fire protection system is out of service in an occupied building, Fire Watch is required by fire code. Here's what that means:
📋 What is Fire Watch?
A temporary measure requiring continuous surveillance of your building by one or more qualified individuals when a required fire protection system is out of service.
|
⏱️ Key Requirements
- Patrols no more than 60 minutes apart
- Notify Fire Prevention Division immediately
- Document all patrol rounds
|
⚠️ Fire Watch can ONLY be terminated by the Fire Code Official. Do not end Fire Watch on your own.
📖 Fire Watch Guidelines
We've created a comprehensive resource to help you understand Fire Watch requirements, procedures, and documentation.
View Fire Watch Guidelines →
|
Action Checklist for Today
| ☐ |
Locate main water shutoff valve
Before snow covers exterior utility boxes
|
|
| ☐ |
Locate sprinkler system control valves
Know where to isolate sections if needed
|
|
| ☐ |
Review Fire Watch guidelines
Understand requirements before you need them
|
|
| ☐ |
Confirm emergency contacts
Fire suppression contractor, plumber, property manager
|
|
| ☐ |
Verify freeze protocol with maintenance team
Ensure everyone knows the plan
|
|
|
📞 Questions? Contact Fire Prevention
If you have questions about Fire Watch requirements, fire suppression system impairments, or commercial fire code compliance, contact the Denton Fire Prevention Division:
(940) 349-8840
|
|
Preparation is the best protection. Take 15 minutes today to locate your shutoffs, review Fire Watch procedures, and confirm your emergency contacts. Your property—and your tenants—depend on it.
|
