IF Fire Marshal cracks down on water system violations

The Idaho Falls Fire Department has begun a new program to keep residential and business fire protection systems up to code.

Idaho Falls Fire Marshal Ken Anderson has been compiling information into an online system to keep track of third party contractors who inspect the systems.

“The owners of the contracting company has to register with the Fire Department. They have to register their employees and the training that each employee has,” he said.

Anderson said with the increase in construction over the last few years it’s easy for loose rocks and debris to make their way into the water line.

“We’ve taken as large as a 4-inch-by-6-inch rock out of a fire protection system that totally blocked off the valves,” said Anderson.

Third party contractors are often hired by businesses to do routine inspections to prevent loose debris, busted water pressure gauges and rusty pipes. Anderson said lately he has found several businesses that have faulty systems and phony contractors or people who misrepresent themselves on behalf of another company.

“You’ll see people (that aren’t really contracted with the business) that will come in, look at a tag, put their tag on it, send the owner a bill and walk out the door. That’s not proper maintenance,” he said.

Anderson said the new online system will better keep track of inspections and legitimately registered contractors.

“The system will allow me to say who serviced that, what their qualifications are, when they expire,” he said. “If it’s not right, we’ll come back and say your person is not, trained and you need to go back and get this done right.”

According to a national study, only 40 percent of fire protection systems operate effectively. Anderson said it’s because business owners are unaware of their rights and contractor responsibilities.

“Most of our contractors in this area are trustworthy, but when people come to work on your life safety systems, you have a right to ask if they’re qualified and if they actually have a contract with you,” he said.