24/7 Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm Service Available

The upcoming 2025 arctic freeze is expected to bring record-breaking cold temperatures to the Denver area, putting fire sprinkler and alarm systems at risk of freezing and malfunctioning. This blog outlines essential tips for community and property managers to safeguard their systems, including maintaining adequate heating and scheduling pre-freeze inspections. With the right preparations, you can minimize damage, avoid costly repairs, and ensure the safety of your property during extreme cold weather.

Starting this weekend Friday, January 17th, 2025, an arctic system is going to move into Denver and the surrounding Colorado locations to produce a 90-hour hard freeze.

Denver Fire Protection will be providing 24/7 emergency service during this time, and all our service technicians are on-call to assist with problems regarding fire alarm panels, fire sprinkler systems, and backflows.

Image of a restaurant front with large ice building and icicles — Denver Fire Protection responded to an emergency call regarding a dry sprinkler head burst outside a restaurant in January 2024’s hard freeze.

To schedule an emergency service, please call (720)-704-8905 extension 1. Any other extension calls to extensions 2 and 3, and will not be answered after hours and goes to voicemail after 4 PM MST. Extension 1 is the only way to request emergency services from Denver Fire Protection.

To protect your fire systems from this hard freeze, please see our recommend tips below.

Please note, any emergency calls on a Sunday are billed at double-time per our Union contracts.

For Fire Sprinkler Systems:

Inspect and Maintain Heating Systems:
- Ensure heaters in riser rooms and other areas housing sprinkler systems are functioning correctly. Maintain a temperature of at least 40°F in these areas.
- Make sure to turn off space heaters / adjust the temperature once temperature regulates and the freeze is over
Check Dry Pipe Systems:
- Confirm air pressure levels in dry pipe systems are correct and that compressors are operational.
- Drain low points in dry systems to prevent water accumulation that could freeze
Seal Drafts:
- Inspect and seal any drafts near sprinkler systems, particularly in riser rooms, basements, or attics.
Backup Power:
- Ensure backup generators are operational to maintain heating systems during power outages.
Monitoring:
- Verify that fire alarm monitoring is active with the central station
- Confirm the correct monitoring phone number is on the fire alarm control panel, including the account number and passcode, or make sure it’s readily available in emergencies
Emergency Access:
- Confirm that service providers and maintenance staff have clear access to riser rooms and other critical areas in case of a freeze or burst. It is important to have copies of keys and lockbox codes handy.

For Fire Alarm Panels:

Inspect Alarm Panels:
- Ensure fire alarm panels are in climate-controlled areas to avoid temperature-related malfunctions.
- Make sure there are no active troubles on the panel, for example, low battery, etc.
Monitor for Ice Buildup:
- Inspect outdoor components (like annunciators or pull stations) for signs of moisture that could freeze and damage components.

General Preparations

Communicate with Tenants:
- Share tips with tenants on maintaining safe temperatures in their units to prevent pipe freezes.
- Ask tenants who are planning to be out of town during the hard freeze to keep their heat on during the duration of the freeze
Stock Emergency Supplies:
- Keep a supply of space heaters, tarps, and repair materials on hand for emergency use.
Conduct a Pre-Freeze Inspection:
- Schedule a walk-through with Denver Fire Protection to address potential vulnerabilities before the arctic freeze hits. Please reach out to Kiley or Mike.

In the gallery above are pictures from breaks from last 2024’s hard freeze in Denver, Colorado and the surrounding localities. All images featured in this blog are the property of Denver Fire Protection and may not be copied, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without explicit written consent.