Texas Winter Storm Emergency
Is Your Sprinkler System Frozen?
When winter storms hit Texas, fire protection systems fail. Frozen pipes burst. Sprinkler heads crack. Fire alarms lose power. Under NFPA 25, you need fire watch coverage until systems are restored. We deploy within 2 hours.
Sprinkler system down? Fire alarm offline?
NFPA-certified guards available 24/7 throughout Texas. Call for immediate deployment.
Freedom Security Solutions deploys emergency fire watch guards throughout Texas within 2 hours of your call. Our teams are on standby during freeze warnings, ready to protect your property in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and surrounding areas. Our 24-hour fire watch service provides around-the-clock emergency dispatch.
Why Texas Buildings Need Fire Watch During Winter Storms
Texas infrastructure isn’t built for extreme cold. When temperatures drop below freezing, fire suppression systems fail at alarming rates.
Frozen Sprinkler Lines — Water in unheated areas expands and bursts pipes, rendering entire zones of your sprinkler system inoperable. Attics, exterior walls, and mechanical rooms are particularly vulnerable.
Cracked Sprinkler Heads — Even partial freezing can damage sprinkler heads, causing them to leak or fail to activate during a fire.
Power Outages — Winter storms knock out electricity, disabling fire alarm panels, monitoring systems, and electrically-operated fire pumps. Extended outages deplete backup batteries.
Burst Fire Mains — Underground and exposed fire mains can freeze and rupture, eliminating water supply to your entire fire suppression system.
Delayed Repairs — During widespread freeze events, contractors are overwhelmed. Your system may be offline for days or weeks while waiting for parts and service.
During the February 2021 Texas freeze, thousands of commercial buildings experienced sprinkler system failures. Property managers who didn’t arrange fire watch faced citations, insurance complications, and in some cases, devastating fires with no suppression capability.
NFPA Requirements for Impaired Fire Protection Systems
The National Fire Protection Association establishes clear requirements for fire watch when protection systems are impaired. Texas fire marshals enforce these standards through local fire codes.
NFPA 25: Sprinkler System Impairment
Under NFPA 25, Section 15.5, when a sprinkler system is impaired for more than 10 hours in any 24-hour period, the property owner must:
- Notify the fire department and insurance carrier immediately
- Implement fire watch with trained personnel
- Conduct patrols at intervals not exceeding 1 hour
- Maintain detailed written logs of all fire watch activities
NFPA 72: Fire Alarm System Impairment
When fire alarm systems are impaired for more than 4 hours, fire watch is required. This includes:
- Fire alarm control panel offline due to power loss
- Notification devices that cannot alert occupants
- Automatic detection systems that are non-functional
- Monitoring connections to the fire department that are interrupted
Texas Fire Code Enforcement
Houston, Dallas, and Austin fire marshals all require documented fire watch during system impairments. Failure to comply can result in:
- Building closure orders
- Fines ranging from $500 to $10,000+ per day
- Insurance claim denials
- Personal liability for property owners and managers
Our Texas Winter Storm Response
Freedom Security Solutions maintains dedicated response teams throughout Texas specifically for weather emergencies.
2-Hour Emergency Deployment — When you call during a winter storm, we dispatch immediately. Our guards arrive within 2 hours anywhere in the Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, or Austin metropolitan areas. For locations outside major metros, we deploy the nearest available team while mobilizing additional support.
Pre-Storm Preparation — We monitor National Weather Service forecasts. When freeze warnings are issued, we can pre-position guards near your property or have teams on standby for immediate deployment the moment your systems show signs of trouble.
Trained for Winter Conditions — Our fire watch guards understand the specific hazards of frozen fire protection systems: recognizing signs of frozen or burst pipes, identifying areas where fire risk increases when suppression is offline, and coordinating with your contractors to minimize impairment duration.
Complete Documentation — Every patrol is logged with timestamps, observations, and any incidents. You receive hourly fire watch logs meeting NFPA requirements, photo documentation of system conditions, incident reports for any fire hazards identified, and compliance reports ready for fire marshal inspection.
Service Areas for Texas Winter Storm Response
Houston Metro Area
We cover all of Greater Houston including downtown, the Energy Corridor, Medical Center, Galleria area, and surrounding communities. Response time: within 90 minutes for most locations.
Areas served: Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Pearland, Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Missouri City, Cypress
Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Area
Our DFW teams serve the entire Metroplex from downtown Dallas and Fort Worth to surrounding suburbs. Response time: within 2 hours for most locations.
Areas served: Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Irving, Garland, Frisco, McKinney, Denton, Richardson, Carrollton, Lewisville
Austin Metro Area
Coverage throughout the Austin metropolitan area and Central Texas corridor. Response time: within 2 hours for most locations.
Areas served: Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Lakeway, Dripping Springs
For properties outside major metros, we coordinate deployment from the nearest available team. Contact us for response time estimates to your specific location.
What to Do When Your System Freezes
If you discover frozen or burst pipes in your fire suppression system during a winter storm:
Step 1: Assess the Damage — Determine which areas of your building are affected. Note any visible water damage, burst pipes, or non-functional equipment.
Step 2: Notify Required Parties — Contact your fire department’s non-emergency line to report the impairment. Notify your insurance carrier. Both calls protect you legally and may be required by your policy.
Step 3: Call for Fire Watch — Contact Freedom Security Solutions at 833-552-3733. We’ll dispatch guards immediately while you arrange repairs.
Step 4: Document Everything — Take photos and videos of damage. Keep records of when the impairment was discovered, who was notified, and when fire watch began.
Step 5: Coordinate Repairs — Work with your fire protection contractor to restore systems as quickly as possible. Our fire watch continues until systems are fully operational and inspected.
Signs Your Fire Protection System May Be Compromised
During and after a winter storm, watch for these warning signs:
Sprinkler System Issues:
- Water leaking from sprinkler heads or pipes
- Discolored water at faucets indicating pipe corrosion from freezing
- Low water pressure in fire suppression zones
- Visible frost or ice on exposed pipes
- Wet spots on ceilings or walls near sprinkler lines
Fire Alarm Issues:
- Control panel showing power failure or trouble signals
- Backup batteries depleted during extended outages
- Notification devices not functioning
- Communication failure with monitoring service
Fire Pump Issues:
- Electric fire pumps offline due to power loss
- Diesel fire pumps failing to start in extreme cold
- Frozen jockey pump or pressure maintenance systems
If you observe any of these signs, contact us immediately. Even suspected impairment warrants professional assessment and potential fire watch.
Why Choose Freedom Security Solutions
Experience with Texas Weather Events — We’ve provided fire watch during every major Texas freeze since 2021. Our teams understand the unique challenges of winter storm response in a state where cold weather infrastructure is limited.
True 24/7 Availability — Our dispatch center operates around the clock, every day of the year. When winter storms hit on holidays or weekends, we respond with the same urgency.
NFPA-Certified Personnel — All fire watch guards are trained to NFPA standards and understand Texas fire code requirements for impairment documentation.
Coordination with Contractors — We work seamlessly with your fire protection contractor, plumber, and electrician to minimize system downtime while maintaining compliant fire watch coverage.
Insurance-Ready Documentation — Our fire watch logs and reports meet the standards required by commercial insurance carriers. Proper documentation protects your claims if fire damage occurs during impairment.
Fire Watch Services in Texas Cities
Freedom Security Solutions provides certified fire watch guards across Texas:
For hurricane-related emergencies, see our Natural Disaster Emergency Response Services.
Don’t Wait Until Your System Fails
If a freeze warning has been issued for your area, contact us now to arrange standby coverage. Pre-positioning guards before your system fails ensures you’re protected the moment problems develop.
Request Emergency Fire Watch
Tell us about your situation and we'll respond immediately.