Fire Code Inspection Tips

Fire code inspections are designed to keep businesses and individuals safe in the unfortunate event of a fire breaking out. These inspections are conducted on an annual basis, with a fire marshal going through the business with a checklist, looking for any violations of the fire code. The list is given to the business owner who has a period of time to correct the violations, at which time the fire marshal will return for another inspection of the property. With preparation, most businesses can pass inspection with few violations.

Exits

• An area where businesses find themselves in violation are with exits. Although the code varies from city to city as to specifics, every doorway should have an exit sign that is visible under any condition, even in darkness. Some businesses will have a battery-powered illuminated sign over the door that will mark the exit, while others will have photo-luminescent signs marking the exits. Photo-luminescent signs require no power, providing illumination in darkness by glowing from power stored up throughout the day.

Sprinklers

• For buildings that are equipped with sprinklers, records should be kept for each time the sprinkler system was tested. In addition, each sprinkler head must have a radius around it that will allow the water spray to have full access to the building. One area where violations occur is having a sprinkler head blocked by shelving or packages that are up too close to the ceiling.

Extension Cords

• A common fire code inspection violation is having an extension cord that is being used in place of permanent wiring. While an extension cord can be used for temporary power--such as with a box fan being used to circulate air in an area--the extension cord cannot be used as a means of powering a light fixture that has been hung.

Circuit Breakers

• An area where violations occur during fire code inspections is around circuit breakers. In the event of an electrical fire, there must be free and immediate access to the circuit breakers for the building.

Hot Water Heaters

• Hot water heaters have to be in areas where there are no combustible materials within a certain radius of the heater. This radius depends upon the individual municipality but it is usually in the range of three feet to six feet. If the hot water heater is in an enclosed area, there must be free access to service or disable it.

Fire Extinguishers

• There must be fire extinguishers in working order (verified by the inspection card on each fire extinguisher) throughout the building. Checking with the local fire marshal to find out how many fire extinguishers are needed for the building is advised.