Red Tag Permit Procedure

The Red Tag Permit System is designed to ensure that necessary impairments are well planned and efficiently managed, but on occasion planning is not an option. The Red Tag Permit System is used to supervise and authorize the shutting down of fire protection equipment. This permit system emphasizes the need to help safe guard life and property. The University of Michigan-Dearborn and Factory Mutual are requiring that this Red Tag Permit System is implemented anytime a fire system is impaired, this may include but is not limited to fire alarms, sprinkler systems, deluge systems, etc.

Most planned fire system impairments occur during normal operating hours of the University. Since unforeseen circumstances can occur after hours or on weekends requiring repairs, the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Department has identified the University employee or the contractor conducting the work as the responsible party for notification to appropriate University officials i.e. UM-Dearborn Department of Public Safety (313-593-5333) and EHS personnel (313-593-6679, 313-593-0921, or 313-593-5061) of the impairment. The employee or contractor can obtain the Red Tag Permit from UM-Dearborn Department of Public Safety.

Before Planned Impairment & Unforeseen Impairment

Planned impairments must be coordinated with the UM-Dearborn Department of Public Safety and Fordland for work being done at the Fairlane Center so proper monitoring of all fire alarms is maintained. Notification to the UM-Dearborn Department of Public Safety is required during unforeseen impairments also so that proper monitoring of the property is conducted. The Red Tag Permit must be obtained from the UM-Department of Public Safety Dispatch Office and is to be completed by the UM-Dearborn employee or contractor.

Using the Permit

The employee or contractor completes in the three-part Red Tag Permit with information relevant to the work area and impairment –this includes the individual’s signature.

The UM-Dearborn Department of Public Safety or EHS will notify the Dearborn Fire Department and Factory Mutual of the impairment by following the steps below:

1. Checking the take to make sure it has been filled out completely and the person doing the work has checked off the appropriate information on the checklist. Index numbers must be written in upper right-hand corner of the tag. Note that the two campuses have different addresses.
2. Fax or call in Part 1 of the tag to Factory Mutual.
3. Call in impairment to the Dearborn Fire Marshal or Dispatch.
4. UM-Dearborn Department of Public Safety will post Part 1 and 2 in the dispatch office as a reminder of the impairment.

Sprinkler Valves

Part 3 of the Red Tag Permit shall be completely filled out by the employee or contractor, who then records the date, time and type of equipment impairment, and the number of turns to close the valve. The operator is responsible to post/hang the permit on the equipment.

The employee or contractor will document each step in both the impairment and the return to full protection sections on Part 3 of the Red Tag Permit as it is performed.

Fire Alarms

The employee or contractor will post Part 3 to the fire alarm system during impairment.

Shut down hazardous processes prior to impairing operation.

Cutting, welding and brazing in the area of the impairment is prohibited.

During the Impairment

UM-Dearborn Police or Security Officers will conduct an hourly walk through of the affected area.

After Impairment

Sprinkler Valves

The employee or contractor is responsible to ensure the fire protection equipment is placed back in automatic service once work is completed. The employee or contractor will complete Part 3 of the Red Tag Permit by documenting all steps to restore the fire protection system. The fire protection operator will sign Part 3 and return it to Public Safety. UM-Dearborn Department of Public Safety or EHS will notify Factory Mutual and the local fire department that the system is operational.

Facilities Operations or Fairlane Center personnel will reset any affected alarm systems and notify the UM-Dearborn Police that the alarm system is operational.

Fire Alarms

Once a fire alarm system is repaired Facilities Operations will complete Part 3 of the Red Tag Permit and return it to the UM-Dearborn Department of Public Safety or EHS who will then notify Factory Mutual and the Dearborn Fire Department.