Courtesy Timberline Landscaping
Subzero temperatures saw Colorado Springs Fire Department crews responding to fire sprinkler system ruptures at three local hospitals on Feb. 15.Â
The breaks â at Centura Healthâs Penrose Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center, and UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central â were among widespread problems caused by a freezing Valentineâs Day weekend. Â
âSprinklers are designed typically not to be in areas subject to freezing, but all kinds of things can happen,â Deputy Fire Marshal Kris Cooper said. âLots of times those systems run through attic spaces, dropped ceilings and mechanical spaces.â
The department responds to alarms that go off automatically when sprinkler lines activate.