A Guide to
Fire Protection Impairment
Table of contents
Impairments to fire protection and detection........................................... 1
Fire Protection Impairment Management Checklist .................... 3
Sprinkler System Impairment Tag................................................................................... 5
QBE North America
55 Water Street
New York, NY 10041
Tel: 212.422.1212
[Link]/us
© 2022 QBE Holdings, Inc 435904 (9-22)
Risk Solutions
Impairments to fire protection and detection
Technical Guidance
Fire protection systems, when properly managed and maintained, are critical to safeguarding facilities against
catastrophic destruction. An impairment of any fire protection system can result in loss of life, property and
the ability to serve customers. Impairment occurs when a system is taken out of service, either wholly or in
part, regardless of whether it was planned or not. As such, it is essential to establish a program to minimize
the duration and scope of impairments. The outline below provides a summary of key actions.
Before impairment During impairment
• Plan for an impairment by performing a detailed risk • Keep a watchful eye for fire hazards arising in or close to the
assessment and ensure local and nearby hazards can be area where the fire control equipment is impaired
protected, contained or eliminated • Ensure employees and contractors know that the fire control
• Make sure you have the right materials and people on is impaired and prevent them from performing unnecessary
hand before the impairment begins to minimize the shut- hazardous activities. Halt hazardous production processes
down period and prohibit ‘hot work’ in the area
• Notify key people in Operations, Emergency Response • Work on the job continuously until completed, if possible. If
Teams and the local Fire & Rescue Services (if appropriate) it must be left overnight, ensure Security patrol the area and
as well as your remote alarm monitoring station other precautions are maintained
• Notify QBE Global Risk Solutions 48 hours in advance
Restoration upon completion
• For an emergency impairment, fully stabilize the situation
and set up the precautions before notifying QBE. • When the impaired fire control equipment is restored, inspect
the area and witness a performance test or sprinkler alarm
• Hang the Out of Service Tags on equipment that is or will
test to verify that it has been properly returned to service
be impaired
• Re-lock valves open, reset control panels, inform your remote
Print the 'Out of Service Tag' at the end of this packet. monitoring station
• Notify QBE that system(s) have been reinstated
• Remove the Out of Service Tags from functioning equipment
Questions on Loss Control or Safety
• Visit the site: Risk Solutions Center
• Call us: 888.560.2635
• Email us: RSC@[Link]
Managing an Impairment Notifying QBE
When a fire protection or detection system is shutdown, Please notify us 48 hours in advance of any planned
the ability to withstand and contain a fire is severely impairment that is expected to exceed 10 hours. Notify us
diminished. This is when your facility is most vulnerable as soon as possible after an emergency or unplanned
to damage and disruption. impairment. Email us at RSC@[Link] and
Adequate control of fire detection and protection provide the following information:
systems is critical. Whether an impairment is planned • Primary company contact information
or occurs accidentally, precaution must be taken to • Which system(s) are affected
provide temporary protection, reduce hazards and • Partial or complete impairment
ensure prompt restoration. • Estimated length of impairment
Ensure that all parties involved in fire protection are • Precautions established while system(s) are impaired
aware of impairment procedures and their responsibilities Events causing an emergency impairment should be
in minimizing risks during an impairment. Proper training stabilized first. In such cases it is essential that the correct
is critical to ensure effective planning and supervision procedures be implemented as soon as possible after the
during the impairment period and thorough restoration incident.
when completed. • Attempt to isolate the area to limit potential for
additional damage
• Notify management and implement emergency
action if warranted
• Tag out the system and contact QBE Global Risk Solutions
as indicated above
• Start repairs as soon as the area is secured
• Notify QBE when reinstatement is acheived
QBE North America
55 Water Street
New York, NY 10041 QBE North America and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies make no warranties or representations as to the accuracy of the
information provided herein, assume no liability in connection with your use or non-use of such information and do not guaranty that
Tel: 212.422.1212 the information includes all possible risks or unusual circumstances that may occur. Reliance upon, or compliance with, any of the
[Link] information, suggestions or recommendations contained herein in no way guarantees the fulfillment of your obligations under your
insurance policy or as may otherwise be required by any laws, rules or regulations.
QBE and the links logo are registered service marks of QBE Insurance Group Limited. © 2021 QBE Holdings, Inc. 288914-SHEET (5-21)
Fire Protection Impairment Management Checklist
The risk of a significant fire loss is increased when fire protection systems or equipment are out of service (i.e.,
impaired). To minimize the risks associated with fire protection system impairments, a comprehensive
impairment management program should be developed and implemented. This checklist can be used to verify
that the key elements of an impairment management program have been implemented during an impairment.
Type of System Impaired: ________________________ Date of Impairment: ___________
Area Impacted by the Impairment: _________________________________________________________
Yes No N/A
Hazardous Operations in the Impaired Area
Suspend or restrict non-critical cutting and welding. q q q
Halt spray painting and spray finishing operations. q q q
Restrict flammable liquid transfer and related operations. q q q
Eliminate heat-producing processes and sources. q q q
Eliminate hazardous operations that could cause a fire or increase the size of a fire. q q q
Notifications
Notify the local fire department of the impairment and temporary protection established. q q q
Notify loss control/risk management personnel of the insurance carrier. q q q
Advise the facility management and emergency response team (ERT) of the impairment
and control measures established. q q q
Advise alarm companies and signaling stations of the impairment. q q q
Advise impacted employees of the impairment and actions that they should take. q q q
Compartmentalization
Close fire doors in the impaired area. q q q
Secure exterior doors to protect against hostile fires. q q q
Secure fire control dampers, curtains, and partitions in the impaired area. q q q
Temporary Fire Protection
Establish alternate water supplies as required. q q q
Yes No N/A
Place charged hose lines in the impaired area. q q q
Distribute extra fire extinguishers, as needed, throughout the facility. q q q
Establish extra security or fire watch patrols. q q q
Assign personnel to transmit fire alarms to the occupants and the fire department. q q q
Assign personnel to reopen fire protection valves in case of a fire. q q q
Identification
Attach a fire protection impairment tag to each impaired system and related control valves. q q q
Develop and post a repair timetable. q q q
After the Impairment (Restoration)
Verify the system is operational. q q q
Restore all alarm services. q q q
Make notifications to all previously notified entities that the system is restored. q q q
Restore fire doors. q q q
Release temporary fire protection. q q q
Return to normal operations, including previously suspended processes. q q q
For additional information, contact QBE Risk Solutions at (888) 560-2635 or RSC@[Link].
Impairment Coordinator (Signature): ___________________________ Date: ___________
Notified QBE of System Restoration: (Signature)__________________ Date:_________Time:___________
System Restored (date): ______________________________
The information contained in this document was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. QBE Holdings, Inc., and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, “QBE”)
makes no representation, warranty or guarantee regarding the suggestions and/or information contained herein or the suitability of these suggestions and/or information for any
particular purpose. QBE hereby disclaims any and all liability for the information contained herein and the suggestions herein made. Moreover, it cannot be assumed that
every acceptable policy and/or procedure is contained herein or that unusual or abnormal circumstances may not warrant or require further or additional policies and/or
procedures. The use of any information or suggestions described herein does not amend, modify or supplement any insurance policy. Consult the actual policy or your agent
for details of your coverage. © 2021 QBE Holdings, Inc.
Includes copyrighted material of Insurance Services Office, Inc., with its permission.
Sprinkler System Impairment Tag
An important aspect of fire protection impairment management is a tag system, which is used to indicate that a
system or piece of equipment has been removed from service. The following can be used as a fire protection
impairment tag system. Impairment tags should be weather-resistant, and it is recommended that the tag be
laminated or placed in a weatherproof pouch.
System Information
Tag should be posted at both the system valve and the appropriate fire department connection.
Fire Protection System Impaired: _____________________________
Area or location protected: _______________________
Date: __________ and time of closure: _______ Expected restoration date/time: __________/ ________
Reason for Impairment: __________________________________________
Valve Information
Valve Function (purpose): __________________________ Number of turns to close valve: ____________
Name of Person Closing Valve: __________________ Valve to be repaired or replaced: Yes No
System Restoration
Valve Reopened on (Date/time): ____________/ ____________
Reopened by ____________________________
Upon restoration, the impairment tag should be removed and filed with the fire protection system maintenance
logs.
Main Drain Test
Main drain testing should be performed to ensure that the system has been returned to pre-impairment
conditions.
Static pressure: ______ Residual pressure: _____ Time required for a return to the static pressure: ______
q Any of the following conditions indicate possible obstructions to the sprinkler water supply that require
further investigation:
q Failure of the static pressure to return to the original reading within a short period of time (i.e., one
minute).
q A drop of ten percent in the residual pressure as compared to previous test.
q An extended time required (i.e., more than one minute) for the discharge stream to stabilize during the
main drain test.
q A decrease in the static pressure either before or after the main drain test.
Test by: _____________________ Test Date: ______________
To use the impairment tag, print, cut out and laminate or put in a weatherproof pouch before placing on
a system or piece of equipment has been removed from service.
The information contained in this document was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. QBE Holdings, Inc., and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, “QBE”)
makes no representation, warranty or guarantee regarding the suggestions and/or information contained herein or the suitability of these suggestions and/or information for any
particular purpose. QBE hereby disclaims any and all liability for the information contained herein and the suggestions herein made. Moreover, it cannot be assumed that
every acceptable policy and/or procedure is contained herein or that unusual or abnormal circumstances may not warrant or require further or additional policies and/or
procedures. The use of any information or suggestions described herein does not amend, modify or supplement any insurance policy. Consult the actual policy or your agent
for details of your coverage. © 2021 QBE Holdings, Inc.
Includes copyrighted material of Insurance Services Office, Inc., with its permission.
