Fire protection systems form an integral part of managing and reducing the risk of a building fire by ensuring installed fire protection systems are operational. Often, these fire protection systems may be deactivated or isolated due to building works, repairs, or maintenance, and is referred to as a fire protection impairment. There are two main types of fire protection impairments requiring the use of a documented process these are: • Emergency impairment — Emergency work resulting in the need for the fire protection system to be either partly or fully isolated. • Planned impairment — Planned work resulting in the need for the fire protection system to be either partly or fully...
Fire protection systems form an integral part of managing and reducing the risk of a building fire by ensuring installed fire protection systems are operational. Often, these fire protection systems may be deactivated or isolated due to building works, repairs, or maintenance, and is referred to as a fire protection impairment. There are two main types of fire protection impairments requiring the use of a documented process these are:
• Emergency impairment — Emergency work resulting in the need for the fire protection system to be either partly or fully isolated.
• Planned impairment — Planned work resulting in the need for the fire protection system to be either partly or fully isolated.
The fire protection impairment process includes identification of when a fire impairment is required, roles and responsibilities during an impairment, and procedures before, during and after an impairment.
When is an Impairment Required?
An impairment notification is required for instances where the active fire protection system is out of operational service for more than 8 continuous hours (or one shift) The fire protection impairment may include, but not limited to:
• Fire sprinklers
• Fire hydrants
• Other suppression systems (i.e., gas suppression, foam systems etc)
• Fire detection systems
• Fire pumps
• Water supply
Note: A fire impairment permit is not required for portable fire equipment
The Colleges – Melbourne School of Theology and Eastern College Australia
1. Before an Impairment
The authorised person must complete a fire protection impairment permit process (See Attachment A in important documents), including impairment precautions and approvals, prior to commencing the impairment. All impairment permits should be sent to the College’s insurance broker, who will forward to your insurers. All completed impairment permits must be filed and retained, so they can be made available to insurers on request. The following should be considered prior to undertaking a fire protection impairment:
• Impairment durations should be kept to a minimum; for prolonged impairments, plan to restore systems while the site is not operational, such as overnight or shutdowns. Where not possible a fire watch should be provided e.g. onsite personnel or security patrols;
• Plan to minimise the impairment area by limiting to specific floors or areas where the impairment is necessary;
• Plan to shutdown or minimise any hazardous processes or activities during the impairment period;
• Ensure awareness of emergency planning and procedures;
• Where possible, relocate combustible materials/storage to areas that have an active fire protection system;
• Ensure operations and emergency management personnel are aware of the fire protection impairment;
• Ensure all hot work is prohibited during the fire services impairment. If hot works are required then ensure a hot works permit is in place and hot works procedures are followed;
• Notify the central station service or other alarm-monitoring agency (if applicable);
• Ensure portable fire equipment is accessible throughout the affected area during the impairment;
• Fire impairment follows the site’s lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures where implemented.
2. During an Impairment
• During the fire protection impairment, the precautions identified prior to the impairment commencing should be constantly monitored, and
• where necessary, enhanced to ensure hazards are being adequately managed.
3. Reinstatement on Completion
Following the reinstatement of the fire protection system, the reinstatement portion of the impairment permit must be completed (Attached A in important documents). Retain the completed impairment permit and provide to your insurance broker. To reinstate the system after a fire protection impairment, ensure the following actions are completed:
• Confirm that the impaired fire protection system has been fully reinstated
• LOTO or any other fire impairment tags have been removed
• Communicate the reinstatement with the relevant stakeholders (Tenants, fire department, central station service or other alarm-receiving agency and broker/insurer)
Emergency Impairment
For emergency impairments, complete the fire protection impairment permit (Attachment A in important documents), ensuring impairment precautions listed within this document are followed. Whilst some elements of the before an impairment may not apply, ensure they are still reviewed.
Role and Responsible Persons:
• Authorised personnel (Chief Operations Officer, or Property Service manager, or delegate) from the Colleges has responsibility to issue; reinstate; and ensure the precautions outlined within the fire protection impairment permit are reviewed
• Person undertaking impairment is suitably qualified and authorised to proceed
• Ensure reinstatement following the completion of work
Attachment A: QBE Fire Protection Impairment Permit
https://qmdocumentlibrary.qbe.com/getfile?id=725398A1-5C65-4FC8-A0A6-8BB…
