How to use it
This is a starting framework. Your emergency plan, your insurer's instructions and professional advice outrank it. Print it, edit it to match your building, and keep a copy where the shift supervisor will find it. The order matters: protect people, control the source, then protect property and records. If anything here conflicts with your safety rules, your safety rules win.
The list is split into stages so nobody has to read the whole page while water spreads. Assign a lead for each stage ahead of time. On a small crew one person may cover three stages, and writing the names down still saves an argument about who was supposed to call the landlord.
Real first hours don't follow scripts, and some items won't apply. Use the list to catch what people forget under stress: asking about a fire watch, taking a photo before moving stock, writing down when the water was first seen. A half-used checklist still leaves a better record than none.
Stage 1: People and hazards
Stage 2: The source
Stage 3: Property and records
Stage 4: The calls
Roles to assign ahead of time
| Role | Main duty | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Incident lead | Makes the calls and logs them | Named in advance |
| Safety lead | Keeps people clear and watches hazards | Named in advance |
| Records lead | Photos and the written log | Named in advance |
| Operations lead | Reroutes work and talks to customers | Named in advance |
Common questions
Is this a legal or regulatory checklist?
No. It's a general planning aid. Follow your own safety program and the rules that apply to your facility.
What if the source is unclear?
Keep people safe, record what you see, and use the source decision guide to narrow it down.
General information for Commerce City, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.