Annual Fire Inspections
The fire department is the entity that performs annual fire inspections. These inspections point out risks and hazards in the facility, which are noted at the end of a report to be remedied by employers. How this inspection is completed, when it is completed, and what it’s done for may vary depending on the city regulations, the local jurisdiction, and what the state requires. These inspections should not be taken lightly as lives are on the line. Because of this, it is recommended that some knowledge of the applicable codes, standards, and ordinances are understood, so employees are able to meet or exceed the inspection instead of having to go back and fix problems that could have been avoided in the first place.
Preparing for a Fire Safety Inspection
Being prepared for these inspections is the main goal when trying to develop a positive working relationship with the fire inspector. Surprise visits do occur, similar to the surprise health inspections that happen in food-related establishments. In case of these surprise visits, it’s always good to be prepared and up to date on maintenance and fire protection initiatives. The things that the fire safety inspectors will most likely check are as follows:
The inspector will check the safety systems that are in place. These include both active and passive fire protection equipment.
Active fire protection systems include sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, and smoke alarms, etc.
Passive fire protection systems include anything that prevents fires from spreading or assists with egress, for example, lighted exit signs as well as exit doors.
The inspector will determine the fire hazards that exist within the building and ways that a fire may spark.
The inspector will make sure that emergency responders have easy access to the facility in case of an emergency.