What You Should Know About Sprinkler Systems

This is an extremely restrictive coverage condition. If your negligence causes a fire, you’re normally covered by
your policy. However, if you fail to maintain your sprinkler system, through negligence or othewise, you have
NO coverage. Therefore, unless you have properly trained personnel on staff, it is critical that a reputable
sprinkler contractor be used for periodic inspections, tests, and maintenance on the sprinkler and alarm system.
In addition, if any part of the sprinkler system is shut off for more than 48 hours without notice to your insur-
ance company, coverage is suspended.
While a sprinkler system is usually a good deal, from a property loss, life safety, and insurance savings perspec-
tive, those benefits carry a hefty responsibility to properly maintain the system. Failure to do so can result in a
penalty (no coverage) far greater than the loss expected if the building was not sprinklered.

Copyright 2001 by the Independent Insurance Agents of America.
Some of the information above was
excerpted with permission from the booklet “Fire Sprinkler Facts” published by the National Fire Sprinkler
Association. Includes copyrighted material of Insurance Services Office, Inc. with its permission. Copyright,
Insurance Services Office, Inc., 2001.