TradeGuardFire Protection & Sprinkler subcontractor insurance requirements
What a general contractor should require from a fire protection & sprinkler subcontractor before they set foot on site, and the coverage gap that most often turns a fire protection & sprinkler job into the GC's claim.
Why fire protection & sprinkler insurance matters
A sprinkler system that fails to activate, or that leaks, is a catastrophic, high-severity, professional-liability-adjacent claim.
What to require from a fire protection & sprinkler sub
General liability, workers' comp, completed operations, and, for design-build sprinkler work, professional liability, since GL won't respond to a design error.
Fire protection is licensed and often design-delegated. Require the license AND, where they design the layout, professional liability.
Professional liability (E&O) whenever the trade designs the system, plus completed-operations additional insured.
Relying on GL alone for a design-build fire system; a design defect is an E&O claim GL excludes.
Most of these gaps come down to one thing: additional insured status and the right endorsement.
General information, not legal or insurance advice; confirm requirements with your broker and the terms of your subcontract.
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Fire Protection & Sprinkler insurance FAQ
What insurance should a fire protection & sprinkler subcontractor carry?+
At minimum, General liability, workers' comp, completed operations, and, for design-build sprinkler work, professional liability, since GL won't respond to a design error.
Do fire protection & sprinkler subcontractors need a license?+
Fire protection is licensed and often design-delegated. Require the license AND, where they design the layout, professional liability.
What's the most common COI gap on fire protection & sprinkler work?+
Relying on GL alone for a design-build fire system; a design defect is an E&O claim GL excludes.
Other trades
Requirements also vary by state; see insurance requirements by state.