YOUR FIRE
AND LIFE SAFETY
KNOWLEDGE CENTER
Clear, actionable resources for business owners and property managers. Find checklists, guides, and expert insights to help you navigate the complexities of fire safety compliance
YOUR FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY KNOWLEDGE CENTER
Clear, actionable resources for business owners and property managers. Find checklists, guides, and expert insights to help you navigate the complexities of fire safety compliance
The Pass Method
A quick-reference guide on the proper four-step
process for using a fire extinguisher.
Annual Fire Safety Walkthrough
A comprehensive checklist for property managers to use
on their annual site safety walkthroughs.
Preparing for the Fire Marshall
Learn what to expect and how to prepare your documentation
and property for an official AHJ inspection.
The government agency or official responsible for enforcing the fire code in your area. This is typically the local Fire Marshal or Fire Chief who inspects your building and issues compliance notices.
A broad term covering all systems and measures designed to protect people and property from fire. This includes sprinklers, alarms, extinguishers, exit signs, and emergency lighting.
The organization that writes the codes and standards for fire safety.
NFPA 25: The standard for testing water-based systems (Sprinklers).
NFPA 72: The standard for Fire Alarms.
NFPA 70: The National Electrical Code.
The industry term for the ongoing services required by code to ensure your fire protection systems work when needed. This is the core service Overwatch provides.
The connection point on the exterior of your building (usually marked with a sign) that allows firefighters to pump supplemental water into your building’s sprinkler or standpipe system.
The "brain" of your fire alarm system. It monitors sensors and activates the alarms/strobes during an emergency. It is usually a red or beige box located in the main lobby or riser room.
Deficiency: A minor issue that needs repair but doesn't stop the system from working (e.g., a painted sprinkler head).
Impairment: A critical failure where the system is out of order and cannot protect the building (e.g., a broken fire pump or a closed main water valve).
Vertical pipes running up the stairwells of multi-story buildings. They act like internal fire hydrants, allowing firefighters to connect hoses on upper floors without dragging lines all the way up from the street.
A critical valve assembly that prevents stagnant water from your fire sprinkler system from flowing backward into the public drinking water supply. These must be tested annually to ensure the city's water remains safe.
The main vertical supply pipe that extends from the water supply to feed the sprinkler lines on each floor. This is often where your main control valves, gauges, and flow switches are located—usually found in a dedicated "Riser Room."
A safety device attached to your fire sprinkler control valves. If someone tries to close the valve (which would turn off your water), this switch instantly sends a "Supervisory" signal to the fire alarm panel, alerting you that the system is being tampered with.
The red upright valve usually located in the parking lot or outside the building. It displays "OPEN" or "SHUT" through a small window, allowing the Fire Department to quickly see if the building has water supply without going inside.
A stress test for your piping. Your contractor will pump water into the system at high pressure (often 200 PSI) for 2 hours to check for leaks. This is required every 5 years for Standpipe and FDC piping.
The technical term for the devices that alert occupants during a fire. This includes the flashing Strobes, the loud Horns, and the Speakers that play evacuation messages.
Green Tag: System is fully operational and compliant.
Yellow Tag: System works, but has a deficiency that needs repair.
Red Tag: System is impaired or non-functional. Immediate action required.
