1. 1Support the emergency responseAccount for occupants at the designated assembly area and keep access lanes clear. Tell the incident commander about missing persons, observed conditions and special building hazards. Do not reenter to inspect a sprinkler head or retrieve belongings. Water-damage concerns must not displace the emergency response.
2. 2Provide information without taking command of the systemMake available system drawings, valve information and service contacts from a safe location. Fire department direction and authorized procedures govern operational decisions. Record who authorized any isolation and what area is affected. A damaged head is not permission for unqualified staff to alter the system.
3. 3Create a distinct impairment workstreamAfter immediate response, coordinate the fire-protection contractor, responsible building representative, monitoring provider and authority having jurisdiction. Document the extent of any impairment and required notifications or interim measures. Do not invent a fire-watch arrangement or assume continued occupancy is permitted; obtain the applicable direction.
4. 4Coordinate water recovery without losing system controlRestoration workers need the affected-area boundaries and any electrical or structural restrictions. Keep their access separate from occupants. Ask for a written recovery scope and designate who approves changes. Maintain a single log of system status so an overnight shift does not inherit an unexplained valve closure.
5. 5Require a documented return to serviceThe qualified contractor should complete required repairs and testing, and the appropriate parties should confirm restoration and notifications. Obtain reports identifying the affected system and remaining deficiencies. End temporary measures only under the applicable authorization. Occupancy release must also address water damage and any other incident hazards.

Adapt this example to confirmed facts and approved instructions. Replace every bracketed field before sending. Never issue an all-clear without the responsible authorization. The building has been evacuated following sprinkler activation. Emergency responders are in control. Please remain at [assembly location]. Reentry will occur only after authorization.

• Activation, evacuation and responder arrival times • Isolation authority, impairment scope and notifications • Contractor test reports, restoration confirmation and occupancy release

Before leaving or changing shifts, name the next responsible person, outstanding restrictions, expected contractor attendance and the next decision time. Confirm they received the handoff. Keep emergency work, temporary measures and permanent corrective work as separate tracked items so the visible symptom does not become the only thing that gets closed.

Free BuildingWrench downloads. The PDFs are in English.

• Fire-System Impairment Coordination Checklist — English PDF
• Incident Command & Responsibility Worksheet — English PDF
• Building Closure & Reopening Authorization Checklist — English PDF

• Shutting a valve to protect finishes before responders authorize it
• Assuming an alarm reset means fire protection is restored
• Allowing an impairment to disappear in the shift handoff