Fire inspection checklist

Many municipalities require a fire inspection to be performed by local fire department officials at least once a year in multifamily properties, hotels, and other facilities that are open to the public. While specific fire inspection requirements differ from one municipality to the next — and from one type of facility to another — the measures taken to pass an inspection are similar.

Fortunately, the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, maintains an outline of fire codes and standards. For specific questions, facility owners and operators should consult the NFPA 72, which is available for purchase from the NFPA.

By taking proactive, positive steps to address common hazards in your facility, you can easily ensure your building is prepared to pass its next fire inspection.

1. Maintain fire systems regularly.

Smoke detectors, sprinklers and carbon monoxide detectors should be regularly inspected and maintained by a professional to ensure they are in working condition. Check with your local fire department to determine how frequently you need to have your fire system serviced.

Pro tip: Municipal fire inspectors often require documentation of fire system maintenance. Save all of your facility’s service records to prove that the fire system is regularly maintained.

2. Ensure adequate signage and markings.

Safety signage and markings are critical for ensuring building occupants and fire department officials know where to go and what to do in the event of a fire.

• Mark your facility with building numbers that are large enough to be seen from the street. Check with your local fire department to find out if your municipality requires building numbers to be a minimum height.

• Check emergency exit signs and egress lighting to make sure they are operational. Emergency exit signage and egress lighting is required. Additionally, testing of exit lighting must be performed to NFPA standards and records of testing must be maintained and be available to inspectors.

• Fire protection equipment, like fire extinguishers, needs to be clearly marked and easily accessible. Hang signage to indicate the location of fire protection rooms and electrical control panels.

Bonus tip: Having fire extinguishers in your facility that are past their expiration date could be a reason for failing a fire safety inspection. Check to be sure all fire extinguishers have been serviced or replaced within the past year.

3. Keep egress clear and maintain building accessibility.

Emergency exits, doorways, hallways, and stairwells must be kept free from blockages. Exit doors should lock from the outside only.

In high-rise multifamily buildings, regularly inspect fire escapes to make sure they are working properly and are kept clear from any obstructions. Additionally, emergency exit maps must be posted in accordance with local fire safety requirements.

Bonus tip: Strictly enforce towing in fire lanes and in front of fire hydrants to prevent vehicles from blocking fire department officials in the event of an emergency.

4. Practice proper storage and waste disposal.

Allow building occupants to store items in designated areas only. Hallways and stairways should not be used as storage areas.

Provide adequate trash and recycling containers for building occupants to dispose of waste materials, and have them emptied on a regular basis. Keep trash and recycling containers stored a safe distance from the building, and invest in separate receptacles for cigarette butt disposal.

5. Resolve electrical hazards.

Regularly inspect your building’s electrical components for signs of wear and deterioration. Check electrical outlets and switches to make sure that cover plates are properly secured.

Hiring a certified electrician to perform electrical maintenance will ensure that your building meets the electrical system codes for your municipality.

Bonus tip: Decorative holiday lighting often requires the use of extension cords, which are a potential fire hazard. Allow a designated time frame for holiday lights to be displayed, and require that they be taken down after a certain date to keep extension cord use to a minimum.

What happens if a business fails a fire inspection?

Failing a fire inspection is stressful, but it is rarely an immediate disaster. In most cases, local fire officials will issue a written warning or violation notice detailing the specific issues that need correction. The inspector will then schedule a follow-up re-inspection — typically within 15 to 30 days — to give you time to resolve the hazards.

However, ignoring these warnings or failing to resolve the issues by the deadline can lead to serious consequences, including:

• Accumulating daily fines until the hazards are corrected.

• Premium increases or the potential cancellation of your commercial property insurance policy.

• Severe legal exposure if a fire occurs in a building with documented, unresolved violations.

• In extreme cases where "imminent hazards" are found (such as completely blocked exits or completely inoperable sprinkler systems), authorities may order a building evacuated or closed until it is safe.

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