Reasons Your Commercial Property Fails Fire Safety Inspection

The Main Reasons Why Commercial Properties Do Not Pass Their Fire Safety Inspection

Local fire departments partner with facility owners and managers to ensure the facility is compliant with building and fire codes—as prepared as possible for the event of a fire. Inspections are regular and often scheduled, to make them as convenient as possible. Inspectors need to complete thorough inspections while the business continues with day-to-day activities, so they try to be as unobtrusive as possible.

Facility owners can enhance their partnership with local fire inspectors by understanding the most common code violations and focusing attention to correct any weaknesses to certify compliance. The list of common violations is not a secret, so let’s take a look and be better prepared for the next inspection.

  1. Failing to Maintain Fire Protection Systems. When the building was designed, fire protection equipment was installed to protect people, property, and products from fire destruction. The equipment is networked to work as a unit and when a portion of the network fails, the whole network is in danger of failure. Pull stations and heat or smoke detectors are connected to the building alarms that alert people of the danger.It is also attached to an alert system that informs local emergency responders. A network of emergency lighting automatically switches on, since at any moment the electricity may fail and the lights direct occupants, even in smoke-filled rooms. Heat sensors will activate the appropriate fire sprinklers to apply water directly onto the flame. Decades of experience have demonstrated that the network of fire protection equipment saves lives and property during fire events.

    However, when any component of the network fails to operate correctly, the whole network may fail to operate properly. Fire inspectors are paying attention to the network; facility owners should also give careful attention to the network.

  2. Inadequate Access. During emergency situations, emergency responders must have the priority to gain entry to the facility. That means fire lanes and access to fire hydrants must be clear. Waiting for someone to move a parked vehicle is inexcusable. Clear pavement markings and signs should be maintained and enforced to clear the way for fire and emergency vehicles.

After emergency personnel enter the facility, clear access must be available in hallways, stairs, electrical closets, and any other space necessary. Storage is often in short supply, so these spaces often collect boxes, office equipment, and office supplies.

Time is certainly of the utmost importance, so do not make firefighters step over boxes and push the chair rack out of the way. Of particular importance is the electrical access panel. It is deadly to apply water to a building that is electrified; emergency responders must turn off electricity quickly.

  1. Hindered Egress. During a fire event, no matter how small, creates at least a little panic among the occupants of a building. Alarms may be sounding, and normal building lights may be out or flickering. Ideally, every person will remember their evacuation route from frequent drills but do not count on the ideal. People must have clear hallways, stairways, landings, and emergency doors in evacuation routes, which is potentially every hallway and stair. Egress must extend to the exterior of buildings—nothing stacked in the path of evacuees.

Have a question about your upcoming Fire Safety Inspection?

Call Fire Safe Protection Services today at 713-722-7800 or visit our online form and we will be in contact as soon as possible about your Fire Safety Inspection questions.