The risk of a fire does not decrease in the winter, which is why you need to make sure that you are just as prepared as ever for a fire. If you own a building with a fire suppression system, and you live somewhere where the temperatures drop below freezing frequently in the winter, you need to winterize your fire suppression system. The last thing you want is for the pipes in your fire suppression system to freeze.

Test Antifreeze Levels

Many fire suppressions systems contain antifreeze. Antifreeze flows through the pipes of your fire suppression system and ensure that the pipes do not freeze up. If your fire suppression system contains antifreeze, you need to check your system to make sure that it has the proper levels of antifreeze within the system. If the level of antifreeze is low, you are going to want to top off the system to ensure that your pipes do not freeze up.

Drain Out Water

Next, during the winter, you don't want to leave water in your pipes. At all low points within your system where water could accumulate, and thus freeze, you are going to want to drain out the excess water. There should be release valves that you can activate that will allow you to drain out the excess water from your system. Doing this will keep your pipes from freezing when it gets really cold outside by taking away the ability for your pipes to freeze.

Check Airflow

Next, you are going to want to check your entire building for air flow issues. Your fire suppressions system should primarily be located in heated areas in your building. Being located in heated areas should help prevent your fire suppression system from freezing up.

You are going to want to check and make sure though that you don't have any holes or opening or areas where drafty air from outside can get in. You don't want subzero temperatures getting into your building and freezing your pipes. If you find any holes, leaks or drafts, you are going to need to seal them up. This is especially important anywhere in your building that you don't heat up as much. Cutting down on drafty air will help keep your fire suppression system working properly all winter long.

Protect your fire suppression system by checking the antifreeze levels, checking airflow and preventing cold drafty air around your system, and drain out all water at low points within your system. Taking these steps will ensure that your fire suppression system is ready to go should it need to be activated this winter. Contact a service, like Echo Fire Protection, for more help.