Key Takeaways

• Riser Rooms must be kept above 40°F to prevent the main supply from freezing.
• Air Pressure Drops in dry systems often indicate a leak that can lead to ice blockages.
• Drafts and Gaps near pipes are the #1 cause of localized freezing.
• Corrosion is a silent killer that weakens pipes before winter stress hits.
• Routine Inspection is your only true insurance policy against liability.

For property managers in Chicago and Northwest Indiana, January is a high-stress month. The temperature drops, and the phone starts ringing. The worst call you can get is about a burst fire sprinkler pipe flooding a tenant’s space or an icy parking garage.

The good news? Most freeze-ups are preventable. Your system usually gives you warning signs before it fails. If you know what to look for, you can call in our Union 281 professionals to fix it before disaster strikes.

Here are 5 signs your system is vulnerable this winter.

1. The Riser Room is Too Cold

The riser room is the heart of your fire protection system. It houses the main valves and water supply. Even if you have a “dry” system for your warehouse, the water has to sit somewhere before it enters the pipes. If this room drops below 40°F, the main supply can freeze solid.

Check your riser room heater today. If it’s struggling or the room feels drafty, you are in the danger zone.

2. Frequent Air Compressor Cycling (Dry Systems)

If you have a dry pipe system (common in parking garages), listen to your air compressor. Is it turning on constantly? That means you have an air leak.

In winter, a loss of air pressure can trip the valve accidentally, flooding the system with water. Once that water hits the freezing pipes, you have a massive problem. A professional Sprinkler inspection Northwest Indiana team can locate and seal these leaks quickly.

3. Visible Corrosion or “Sweating” Pipes

Take a walk through your facility. Do you see rust spots, green corrosion, or water droplets on the outside of the pipes? This “sweating” often means the insulation is failing, or there is a slow leak.

Weakened pipes cannot handle the pressure changes that come with extreme cold. These spots are usually the first to burst when the temperature plunges.

4. Drafts Near Exterior Walls

In older buildings, insulation settles over time. If you can feel a cold draft near a sprinkler head or pipe, especially near a roofline or loading dock, that pipe is exposed to outside temperatures.

We often see “freeze-ups” in small, uninsulated pockets of otherwise heated buildings. Our Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance teams are trained to spot these hidden vulnerabilities that general maintenance staff might miss.

5. It Has Been Over a Year Since Your Last Inspection

This is the biggest warning sign of all. Fire protection codes (NFPA 25) require regular testing, but they also ensure your system is ready for the season. If you haven’t seen a CSAS technician in over 12 months, you don’t actually know if your antifreeze loops are balanced or if your dry valves are operating correctly.

Don’t Gamble with Liability

A frozen system doesn’t just mean water damage. It means your building is unprotected in the event of a fire. That is a liability risk no property manager should take.

Let CSAS be your relief. We act as the “autopilot” for your safety systems. We handle the scheduling, the testing, and the maintenance so you can sleep soundly—even when it’s -10°F outside.

Protect your property this winter. Contact Central States Automatic Sprinklers at (708) 489-9400 for a comprehensive winter inspection.