Seattle / note 45

Identify a safe known control before an urgent moment

SPU says customers should generally use their home shutoff valve. A household should know its location and label, but an unfamiliar, damaged, stuck, or inaccessible control is not a practice project.

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OBSERVERoom / trigger / extentVERIFYIdentity / scope / terms

Scene note

In apartments and condominiums, a unit control may differ from a shared riser or building valve. Ask management who may operate common controls and how affected residents are notified.

First five minutes

Put these five details on the same page

Each note narrows the conversation without pretending to reveal a concealed cause.

Interior valve

Locate and label the normal household control without forcing or exercising it.

Served area

Confirm whether the control isolates one fixture, unit, riser, or building.

Access route

Keep the path clear and document keys or staff needed to enter.

Meter type

Use SPU help unless the utility's current customer-operable description clearly applies.

Demonstration

Have a qualified person show normal operation after repair or installation.

Solution map

Keep responsibility visible while the evidence changes

SPU allows customers to operate only the top-shutoff meter type described in its current guidance. Contact the utility when the meter valve type or operation is uncertain.

01Protect the immediate area.
02Write what can be observed safely.
03Identify the responsible party.
04Authorize a supported scope.

Closeout note

Leave the next reader a usable record

After any professional change, retain the control location, label, served area, normal direction, access rule, demonstration, building notice process, and next inspection point.