SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
9. Effective control of fires in sprinkled buildings requires proper ventilation. Whether such
ventilation is accomplished by conventional means or by utilizing on-site built-in
automatic systems, the following steps must be accomplished:
a. A firefighter equipped with a hand radio must be sent to the shut-off valve to
stand by.
b. Hose lines must be ready, charged, and in position for confinement and control
before the sprinklers are shut off.
c. Ladder/Truck Company personnel must be in position and should have affected
the necessary conventional opening (s), or be prepared to initiate available onsite
automatic systems, before the sprinklers are shut off.
d. The Incident Commander must insure proper communications and coordination.
e. When all of the above have been accomplished, the sprinkler system should be
shut down (slowly) to allow proper ventilation to occur and to allow those
members manning hand lines to move in and fully extinguish the fire.
f. In the event that the hand lines are unable to affect control, the system should be
turned on again until additional streams can be brought into position.
10. Initiate prompt salvage and water removal operations to protect records, machinery,
storage, stock, and furnishings from water damage.
11. After fire operations are complete:
a. Replace sprinkler heads with new heads (of the same temperature rating) found
in the sprinkler box near the riser. This is usually done by a representative of the
occupant (maintenance).
b. Insure that the system is restored to service before securing from the scene. We
will not attempt to restore a dry pipe system.
c. If the system cannot be restored immediately, coordinate with management
personnel to insure some type of protection system or guard service until the
system can be restored.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 244
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley