In 2019, there were about 1,291,500 fires in the United States. Unfortunately, these fires led to 3,704 deaths.

Fires pose a serious safety threat, so it’s important to learn how to prevent them in your commercial building. Moreover, in the construction industry, all facilities must pass a fire marshal inspection.

In this post, we’ll walk you through a fire safety inspection checklist that will help you pass a commercial building inspection. So, let’s get started!

Clear Path of Egress

A path of egress is a clear route to safety. Even though you construct your building with this in mind, there are some things you need to do to maintain your path of egress.

For example, you should never block exits, stairwells, corridors, and fire escapes. Furthermore, emergency exit signs need to be illuminated, in working condition, and have backup batteries.

Many property owners choose to get fire-rated doors that reduce the spread of smoke and flames, but you can also get fire door testing on the ones you currently own. Your fire doors should close properly and shouldn’t be propped open with anything that would be hard to remove in the event of a fire.

Electrical Wiring and Cords

As a property owner, you don’t have to be an expert on electrical wiring. But, it would be best if you learned how to keep your building safe and prevent fires. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Don’t store extension cords or surge protectors on floors
• Never store combustible materials near electrical switches or heaters
• All electrical outlets and light switches should have covers
• Any outlet within five feet of a water source should be equipped with a GFI

In addition to these precautions, you should label all your electrical panels and switches.

Extinguishers

If a small fire starts at your business, having fire extinguishers will allow your staff to put it out quickly. And by preventing the fire from spreading, they reduce a lot of damage and risk. That’s why extinguishers are one of the most important elements of a fire inspection checklist.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• There should be an extinguisher within 75 feet from any spot in the building
• The extinguisher should be the correct size and type for your business
• Each extinguisher should be serviced every year and have inspection tags in place
• Mount them on a wall or cabinet

And, just as with your path of egress, you should never obstruct access to your fire extinguishers.

Pass Your Fire Safety Inspection With Flying Colors

As you can see, there is so much to consider when preparing for a fire safety inspection. Furthermore, the regulations that apply to you will vary according to where you live and the type of business you operate. So, be sure to ask local authorities for more specific information and advice!

Did this article prove helpful? If so, check out more of our posts with tips about property ownership!

Clare Louise