Commercial Fire Alarm Inspections
Fire alarm inspections are required of businesses and commercial structures, such as hotels, offices, restaurants, and retail stores. In most cases, a local fire department conducts fire safety inspections; however, in some cases, security and fire alarm companies are qualified to perform such inspections.
Some of the main areas and components inspectors check include:
- smoke and alarm systems in good working order
- easily accessible exits with visible signage
- working windows and doors
- fire extinguishers in good working order
- properly covered electrical boxes and switches
- address visible on the outside of the building
Before a fire alarm inspection
Before undergoing a fire inspection, make sure the building address is clearly visible from the street. You’ll also want to make sure all exits are clear of obstacles like merchandise and storage. Exit signs are an important item for inspection, so make sure these signs are properly lit. Take the time to replace broken or damaged cover plates on electrical units or exit signage. Avoid using door stops around fire exit doors, as this can hinder the ability to escape the premises. If there are self-closing doors in the building, verify that they are in good working order. Lastly, you’ll want to address the amount of clearance between electrical panels and circuit breakers. Make sure there is at least 30 inches of clearance between the panels and the breakers, and if the panels are hidden, include a sign to indicate where they are located.
Fire safety violations
If a business or business entity violates the fire codes, the inspector will issue a report requiring correction of the violation (s). In addition, the company must pay the fines associated with the violation. If the violation is serious and life-threatening, correction may be required within 24 hours. Other less serious violations may take 30 to 40 days to correct. In most cases, fire inspections will generally result in preventable violations that business owners can address on their own. Fire inspections are not always scheduled with proper notification, so be sure to consistently assess the building and ensure compliance.
Home fire inspections
Home fire inspections, while very important, often go unnoticed by most homeowners. In fact, more than 75% of fire-related incident deaths occur in a home. For this reason, there is a high level of concern for proper residential fire safety among families and local fire departments. There are ways to prevent home fires by conducting your own home fire inspection. Some of the areas you’ll want to address include checking the status of smoke alarms, electrical wires, vents, and chimneys. Additionally, you’ll also want to assess how appliances are being used in electrical outlets, as well as other potential hazards that could cause a fire. Your local fire department should have guidelines to help identify hazardous areas throughout your home.
The advantages of fire inspections
Many business owners find fire safety and alarm inspections a burden and a hassle. However, these folks should keep in mind that nearly 80 percent of all small businesses that encounter a major fire do not reopen in the future, according to All Business. Investing in fire safety inspections on a regular basis can result in increased customer and employee confidence, lower insurance premiums, minimized physical and financial risks, and better resale value in the building.
