Water Marshal

The Water Marshal is responsible for ensuring the safe isolation, control, draining, flushing, and management of all fluid and pressure systems (water, air, oil, refrigerant, and other piping systems) during data center construction, pre-commissioning, flushing, hydrostatic testing, and startup activities. This critical safety role prevents accidental release of fluids or pressure, supports safe work practices on mechanical systems, and protects personnel and equipment during high-risk phases of the project. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Oversee and enforce Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and isolation procedures for all fluid, pneumatic, hydraulic, and pressure systems 

• Verify and approve isolation points (valves, blinds, blanks, drains, vents) before work begins on piping, pumps, chillers, cooling towers, or related systems 

• Manage piping flush plans, chemical cleaning, hydrostatic/pneumatic pressure testing, and system draining/venting activities 

• Coordinate with mechanical, piping, and commissioning teams to ensure proper isolation, depressurization, and safe reintroduction of fluids or pressure 

• Conduct pre-work safety reviews and hazard assessments for activities involving water, air, refrigerant, oil, or other process fluids 

• Perform regular audits and inspections of isolation devices, tags, blinds, and control procedures 

• Maintain accurate records of all isolations, permits, flush plans, test results, and clearances 

• Serve as the single point of control for re-pressurizing or reintroducing fluids into systems after work is completed and verified 

• Stop any unsafe work related to fluid or pressure systems immediately 

• Train and coach site personnel on fluid isolation, flushing best practices, and hazardous energy control for mechanical systems 

• Participate in incident investigations involving fluid release, pressure, or piping-related events 

• Ensure compliance with OSHA Control of Hazardous Energy (LOTO), company safety standards, and relevant mechanical/piping codes 

Qualifications & Requirements 

• Minimum 5 years of experience in data center or industrial construction, mechanical commissioning, or large-scale piping/fluid systems 

• Strong working knowledge of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures as they apply to fluid, pneumatic, hydraulic, and pressurized systems 

• Hands-on familiarity with data center mechanical systems, including chilled water, condenser water, glycol loops, compressed air, refrigerant piping, fuel oil, and flushing/pressure testing protocols 

• Experience developing or executing piping flush plans and hydrostatic testing 

• OSHA 30-Hour Construction certification (preferred) 

• Knowledge of ASME, NFPA, or other relevant piping and pressure safety standards 

• Proven ability to work independently and make critical safety decisions under pressure 

• Excellent communication and leadership skills 

• Detail-oriented with strong documentation and record-keeping abilities 

• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, piping isometrics, and mechanical drawings 

Preferred Skills 

• Previous experience as a Water Marshal, Mechanical Safety Coordinator, or LOTO authority for fluid systems 

• Experience on hyperscale or mission-critical data center projects 

• Knowledge of commissioning processes (Level 3–5), including integrated system testing for cooling and mechanical infrastructure 

• Understanding of environmental considerations for water discharge and treatment during flushing