As temperatures drop, your building’s fire protection system faces one of its biggest annual threats — FREEZING.
Frozen water expands, which can crack pipes, damage valves, and disable entire systems, leaving your facility vulnerable to both fire and water damage.
Frozen pipes don’t just mean a mess — they can mean downtime, lost revenue, and costly repairs. And for properties like hotels, multi-family housing, manufacturing plants, and warehouses, the impact can ripple through operations and safety compliance alike.
Autumn is the time to prepare.
The Cost of Frozen Fire Systems
When sprinkler pipes or valves freeze, a few things can happen fast:
Burst pipes and water leaks cause flooding, mold, and property damage.
Disabled systems mean your fire protection is offline — sometimes for days or weeks.
Emergency repairs often cost 3–5x more than planned maintenance.
Insurance complications can delay coverage or increase premiums.
In other words: a few hours of preparation now can prevent thousands in damage later.
Industries at Highest Risk
While every building with a wet-pipe system needs winter prep, some are especially vulnerable:
Hotels & Hospitality
Guest areas, parking structures, and unheated mechanical rooms often have hidden risks.
Industrial & Manufacturing
High ceilings, loading docks, and partially conditioned areas can create cold spots.
Retail & Distribution
Entrances and warehouse bays are prone to freezing drafts.
Multi-Family Housing
Garages, attics, and exterior corridors can harbor exposed lines.
How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System
Our technicians recommend completing these steps before the first sustained freeze in your region:
Inspect insulation on all sprinkler lines and risers in unheated or exterior areas.
Test and drain dry systems — remove any trapped water from low points.
Verify heating systems in riser rooms and control valve enclosures are operational.
Check low-temperature alarms and monitoring systems for accuracy.
Apply heat tracing or space heaters where insulation alone isn’t enough.
Schedule a professional winterization inspection to identify overlooked risks.
Peace of Mind Starts with Prevention
Don’t wait for the first cold snap — once temperatures drop, damage happens fast. Schedule Your Winterization Service Today in the Northern Virginia, DC, Maryland area!
- Prevent Freeze-Related Damage
- Maintain compliance and uptime
- Keep your fire protection system ready when it matters most
Cornet’s mission is to keep your fire protection & building solutions running around the clock so that your company can do the same. Let us help you avoid disruption this winter!
