The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. For businesses in Greater New Orleans, storms bring power outages, flooding and wind damage — and each of those can affect fire protection systems at exactly the moment you’re least able to deal with it.
This checklist is a practical starting point. It is not a substitute for your property’s emergency plan or for guidance from your fire authority.
Before the season (or before a storm)
Emergency lighting & exit signs
- Complete a full-duration battery test and replace weak batteries.
- Confirm every exit sign is lit and visible.
Fire alarm system
- Check the panel for trouble signals and resolve them.
- Confirm standby batteries are in good condition and within their service life.
- Verify your monitoring company has current emergency contacts.
Sprinkler system
- Confirm all control valves are open and sealed or supervised.
- Make sure the spare sprinkler cabinet is stocked.
- Note the location of the main control valve and make sure key staff know where it is.
Fire pump (if present)
- Confirm recent no-flow testing and that a diesel fuel tank is adequately filled.
Kitchen systems
- Confirm hood cleaning and suppression service are current.
- Know how your gas shut-off and suppression system interact.
Extinguishers
- Confirm extinguishers are in place, charged and tagged.
Records
- Keep copies of inspection reports and system documentation somewhere accessible off-site.
During extended outages
- If power is lost for an extended period, fire alarm standby batteries will eventually be depleted. Your fire alarm may stop functioning.
- Generators bring their own fire risk. Keep them outdoors, away from openings, and keep fuel stored safely.
- If any fire protection system is out of service, your fire authority and insurance carrier may require notification and interim measures (such as a fire watch). Contact them.
After the storm
- Check the alarm panel for trouble or supervisory signals once power returns.
- Inspect sprinklers and piping for physical damage, leaks or impact damage from debris.
- Check for flooding in fire pump rooms, riser rooms and electrical rooms. Water-damaged controllers, panels or batteries need professional evaluation.
- Test emergency lighting — units that carried the building through an outage may need battery replacement.
- Replace any discharged extinguishers.
- Check the roof around exhaust fans and kitchen ductwork for damage.
- Document everything with photos for insurance purposes.
Key takeaways
- Test emergency lighting and alarm batteries before storm season.
- Know where your sprinkler control valves and gas shut-offs are.
- If a system is impaired after a storm, notify your fire authority and insurer.
- Schedule a post-storm inspection if systems were exposed to flooding, impact or extended outages.
YearRound is available 24/7. If your systems need attention before or after a storm, call (504) 339-3708 or request service.
Sources & references
- NFPA 101 — Life Safety Code
- NFPA 25 — Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
YearRound Editorial Team · Fire & Life Safety Education
Articles from the YearRound Fire & Life Safety team are written to help commercial property owners, facility managers and business operators understand their fire protection systems. Technical articles are reviewed for accuracy against current published standards before publication. Requirements vary by jurisdiction — always confirm with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction.