Last Updated on November 20, 2023 by Ossian Muscad
As a business owner, it is essential to be aware of the fire codes and standards and ensure your business fully complies with them. This includes regular fire inspections by your local fire marshal, often unannounced. The best way to ensure that you are prepared for these inspections is to have a fire inspection checklist handy.
This article will discuss the importance of using a fire inspection checklist to ensure you won’t get caught off-guard when a fire marshal enters your building. We will also discuss the importance of complying with the fire code and what can happen if you do not.
What is a Fire Inspection Checklist?
A fire inspection checklist is a document that lists all of the items that your business needs to comply with the fire code. This includes having the correct type and amount of fire extinguishers on site, proper signage, and evacuation plans. A fire inspection checklist helps ensure you do not miss any important steps in meeting fire code requirements. It can also protect your business from costly fines or temporary operational shutdowns.
Importance of Fire Code Compliance
Whether you know it or not, your business must comply with the fire code. Fire codes exist to protect people and property from the risk of fire. When businesses fail to meet fire codes, they endanger their workers and customers. Here are some of the general reasons why you should always be compliant with the fire code:
- Safety: The most important reason to stay compliant with the fire code is to ensure the safety of your employees, customers, and visitors. Fire codes are designed with the singular objective of minimizing the risk of fire-related accidents and injuries.
- Legal Consequences: Non-compliance can lead to severe legal consequences. This could include hefty fines, lawsuits, or even business closure.
- Insurance Coverage: Most insurance companies require businesses to comply with fire codes to provide coverage. Non-compliance could mean denial of a claim after a fire.
- Business Reputation: Non-compliance with the fire code can harm your business’s reputation. Customers and clients are likely to favor businesses that prioritize safety and compliance.
- Prevention of Damage: Compliance prevents unnecessary property damage. Fire codes help businesses avoid significant financial losses due to fire-related damage.
What to Check Before Fire an Actual Fire Inspection?
Before a fire marshal conducts a proper inspection, it’s essential to do a fire inspection to ensure your establishment is up to code. This section will show you what you must check before a fire inspection. You can create a fire inspection checklist that you can use to conduct inspections before a fire inspection.
Clear Paths of Egress
The first thing the fire marshal checks upon arriving at your establishment is the fire exits that you may have. They will determine whether or not these are obstructed or blocked in any way. Multiple fire exits will increase the chances that everyone inside your establishment can escape safely during a fire.
If your customers or staff cannot reach these exits or access them easily, these paths of egress will be of little value. Specifically, the fire marshal will check if you have:
- At least a 36-inch-wide path that will lead to an exit door.
- Easy-to-open exit doors.
- The fire doors can be closed easily and are not obstructed.
Emergency Exit Lights
Apart from having egress paths, it is also essential to have emergency exit lights. These are the lights that will come on in the event of a fire and will help lead people to the exits.
The fire marshal will ensure that these lights are working properly and placed in appropriate locations. They will also check if all exit signs have backup batteries. That way, they will illuminate clearly in the event of a fire.
Most exit signs also have emergency lights to increase the possibility of available light and make exits more visible. The fire marshal will also check if all bulbs are working and not malfunctioning.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are essential to fire safety, and the fire marshal will check to ensure you have the correct type and amount of fire extinguishers on site. They will also check that the fire extinguishers are properly placed and in working order.
The fire marshal will verify that the fire extinguishers you use comply with the fire code. Specifically, they will check the following:
- The establishment has the minimum required number of fire extinguishers in key areas.
- Every fire extinguisher is within 75 feet of distance from key places in the facility or office (note that these requirements will tend to change depending on the environment).
- The establishment is using the correct type of extinguishers.
- Check if the fire extinguishers are of the correct size rating: at least 2A-10BC (standard).
- Check if the fire extinguishers have been maintained within the past 12 months.
- All fire extinguishers should be accessible (securely mounted on a wall or encased in an approved cabinet).
- The fire extinguishers should be in an open space, away from obstruction.
- The fire extinguisher (40 lbs. or lighter) shouldn’t be more than five feet from the floor. For extinguishers that are 40 lbs. or more, the top of the unit should be no more than 3.5 feet from the floor.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are another essential part of fire safety. The fire marshal will check to ensure you have them installed in appropriate locations throughout your establishment. They will also check to see if the smoke detectors are in working order.
The fire marshal will verify that the smoke detectors you are using are in compliance with the fire code. Specifically, they will check the following:
- Your establishment has a working smoke detector installed in every important area.
- Every establishment level has a smoke detector, including basements and attics.
- Test the smoke detectors to see if they are operational.
- There is a smoke detector in every hallway leading to an exit.
- Any obstacles do not block the smoke detectors.
Fire Sprinklers and Water Supply
If your business has fire sprinklers, the fire marshal will check to ensure they are in proper working order. They will verify that your establishment complies with the fire sprinkler system requirements.
In addition, the fire marshal will also inspect the fire sprinkler system’s water supply. They will ensure that the water supply is adequate and that there are no leaks in the system.
Proper Storage for Combustible Liquids
Combustible liquids and materials represent a hazard that must be treated accordingly, as they pose a significant fire risk to your establishment. If your business stores combustible liquids, the fire marshal will check to ensure that they are stored according to the fire code.
The fire marshal will also verify that the storage area is fireproof. In addition, they will also see if there is adequate ventilation where the combustible liquids are stored.
Maximum Occupancy Limitations
There’s a reason why your building has a maximum occupancy limit in place. In the event of a fire, the number indicated in the limit is also the number of people who could evacuate the place safely in a timely fashion.
The fire marshal will check to make sure that your establishment is in compliance with the fire code when it comes to maximum occupancy limitations. If they discover that you exceed the maximum allowable occupancy threshold, you will receive a citation and a hefty fine.
Use of Extension Cords
The fire code states you cannot plug too many items into a socket. That means using multiple power strips in the same location is prohibited.
Overloading electrical sockets is a clear fire code violation as it can potentially lead to a fire. Once proven, you will be issued a citation ticket once the fire marshal determines that you’re plugging two or more extension cords together.
Electrical Panels
Last but not least is the electrical panels. The fire marshal will check if they are located in a designated fire-resistant area and whether they are properly labeled.
They will also check to see if the electrical panels are in proper working order. You will also receive a citation ticket if your panel is outdated or damaged.
What Items To Include in a Fire Inspection Checklist?
A comprehensive fire inspection checklist should include several essential items, each designed to ensure the establishment’s and its occupants’ safety. Here are some essential elements:
- Fire Exits: Verify that all fire exits are marked, unobstructed, and functional.
- Fire Extinguishers: Ensure they are of the correct type, in the right locations, readily accessible, and have undergone regular maintenance.
- Smoke Detectors: Check that they are installed throughout the building, functional, and placed in appropriate locations, including all hallways leading to exits.
- Fire Sprinklers and Water Supply: Confirm the functionality of all sprinkler systems and the adequacy of the system’s water supply.
- Storage of Combustible Liquids: Ensure these are stored in a fireproof area with adequate ventilation.
- Maximum Occupancy Limitations: Check that occupancy limits are followed to allow for safe evacuation in case of a fire.
- Proper Use of Extension Cords: Confirm that electrical sockets are not overloaded and extension cords are used appropriately.
- Electrical Panels: Check that they are located in a fire-resistant area, correctly labeled, and functioning properly.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, and the specifics can vary depending on local fire codes and the nature of the establishment. However, it provides a robust baseline for most fire safety inspections.
Create a Fire Inspection Checklist Using a Low-code Platform
Now that you know the key components of a fire inspection, creating your custom checklist is easier than ever. With the help of low-code platforms like DATAMYTE, you can quickly create custom checklists that follow the local fire code and regulations.
Low-code solutions have been popular among business owners for years now. They let people who don’t have coding experience create custom applications for their business. With DATAMYTE, you can build mobile-friendly checklists adapted to your local fire code regulations. This allows you to ensure that your inspection checklist is up-to-date and compliant with the latest fire safety standards.
Additionally, low-code solutions like DATAMYTE allow you to monitor the progress of each inspection in real time. Every inspection process step can be monitored from a single dashboard, giving you greater visibility into your compliance efforts.
By leveraging the power of low-code solutions for fire inspections, you can ensure that your business stays compliant with the local fire code and keeps your customers safe in an emergency.
Why Use DATAMYTE?
DATAMYTE is a quality management platform with low-code capabilities. The DataMyte Digital Clipboard, in particular, is a low-code workflow automation software that features a checklist and smart form builder. This tool lets you create a comprehensive Fire Inspection Checklist to use and share with your team.
To create a checklist or form template using DATAMYTE, follow these steps:
- Log in to the DATAMYTE software and navigate to the ‘Checklist’ module.
- Click “Create Checklist.”
- Add a title to your checklist or template; select the category where it belongs.
- Start adding items to the checklist or template by clicking “Add Item.”
- Define the description of each item, what type of answer it requires, and other relevant specifications (e.g., reference documents, acceptance criteria, limits).
- Assign a team member responsible for conducting the inspection using the checklist or template.
- Add signature fields for approvals (e.g., supervisors, quality assurance personnel).
- Save the checklist or template—you can now access it anywhere, and it will be available on any device.
DATAMYTE also lets you conduct layered process audits, a high-frequency evaluation of critical process steps, focusing on areas with the highest failure risk or non-compliance. Conducting LPA with DATAMYTE lets you effectively identify and correct potential defects before they become major quality issues.
With DATAMYTE, you have an all-in-one solution for creating and implementing Fire Inspection Checklists. Book a demo now to learn how DATAMYTE can help you streamline your fire safety inspection process.
Conclusion
Creating a fire inspection checklist can seem daunting, but being prepared for inspections by your local fire marshal is essential. By having a checklist handy, you can ensure that your business fully complies with the fire code. It also guarantees that your establishment will be ready whenever a fire marshal walks through the door.
