Every business needs to have regular fire safety inspections performed by its local fire marshal to ensure it meets the code requirements necessary to allow its continued operation. But fire marshal visits are often unannounced. As a result, the best way to ensure that your business is ready for the fire inspector is to make sure it is always up to code.
To help ensure that your business remains prepared, we’re providing you with a fire marshal inspection checklist, so you can make sure everything is as it needs to be. Make sure your business meets everything on this list and you can avoid expensive fines or even having your business shut down temporarily due to code violations.
Fire Inspection Requirements
The following are what the fire marshal will be looking for when they visit your business to do an inspection.
- Clear Paths of Egress
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- Paths that lead to every exit door need to be at least 36 inches wide
- Exit doors that can be opened easily, and which are unlocked
- Fire doors that can open easily, close without obstruction, and are not propped open with anything that could prevent them from closing
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- Emergency Exit Lights
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- All exit signs should be illuminated and have battery back ups if power is lost
- Battery back up power should light the exits signs for at least 90 minutes
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- Fire Extinguishers
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- A fire extinguisher should be located within 75 feet of travel distance from any place in your facility (however these requirements may differ depending on the environment)
- Fire extinguishers need to be the correct type to combat the fire hazards present at your business
- Fire extinguishers must be at least a 2A-10BC size rating
- Fire extinguishers need to be serviced every 12 months, with their service tags in place and updated
- Fire extinguishers need to be mounted on the wall securely or in an approved cabinet
- Access to the fire extinguishers must not obstructed
- The top of any extinguisher which is 40 pounds or lighter should not be higher than 5 feet from the floor. The top of any extinguisher which is heavier than 40 pounds should be no higher than 3.5 feet from the floor. All extinguishers must have at least 4 inches of space from the bottom of the unit to the ground
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- Fire Sprinklers
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- There should be at least 18 inches of clearance around each sprinkler deflector
- Sprinklers should be inspected annually by qualified personnel and documented
- Sprinkler lines should be free of decorations, lights, and other hanging objects
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- Fire Alarm Panels
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- The fire alarm panel needs to be inspected annually by qualified personnel and documented
- The fire alarm panel should have no warning lights illuminated
- Inspection tags need to be up to date and visible
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- Sprinkler System Water Supply
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- The valves, hose connections, and fire department connections need to be in good working order with no signs of leakage, physical damage, corrosion, or obstruction by foreign materials or paint
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- Electrical Panels
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- Access to electrical panels should be unobstructed
- There should be at least three feet of clearance from the front of the panels
- No combustible materials should be stored near electrical panels
- Circuit breakers should be clearly and accurately labeled
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- Maximum Occupancy Limits
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- Your building should not exceed its maximum occupancy limits, or you risk receiving a citation from the fire marshal
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- Electrical Outlets and Extension Cords
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- Overloading any electrical outlet is a violation of fire code. Avoid plugging too many items into a single outlet or using multiple power strips/extension cords from the same location
- Do not use extension cords as a permanent wiring solution, such as running them through walls, under carpets, or through door thresholds
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- Storage of Combustible Liquids
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- All combustible or hazardous liquids should be stored in a fireproof cabinet
Get Ready for the Fire Marshal with Metro Fire Inspections
Remember, the fire marshal can visit your business at any time to perform an inspection, so going through the above checklist on a regular basis is a great way to keep your business in compliance with your local fire codes and to help prevent fires before they happen.
If you are looking to partner with a provider of fire safety inspections, then contact Metro Fire Inspections today. Our team of inspectors can inspect your fire safety system and provide you with the documentation you need to satisfy the fire marshal’s fire inspection requirements. Call us today at 631-994-0081 or click here to send us a message online. Metro Fire Inspections is licensed in all five boroughs of NYC, Westchester County, Nassau County and Suffolk County.
