Business Inspection Checklist
The Fire Marshal is responsible for conducting Commercial Business Building Inspections
Here is an example of the inspection form which will give an idea of what to look for.
Engine Company Fire Inspection Form(PDF, 36KB)
Inspection Form Codes
(1) Building Characteristics. Identify possible hazards, obstructions, and or impediments to safe building evacuation.
(2) FDC. Ensure FDC is clear and accessible for use. Document and report any malfunctions or vandalism.
(3) Number of Means of Egress. Ensure number of available exits is appropriate, occupancies with an occupant load over 50 require at least 2 remotely located exits.
(4) Unobstructed Egress. In every occupied building or structure, means of egress from all parts of the building shall be maintained free and unobstructed.
(5) Awareness of Egress System. Every exit shall be clearly visible, or the route to reach every exit shall be conspicuously indicated.
(6) Emergency Lighting. Emergency lighting facilities for means of egress shall be provided to illuminate exit egress pathway. (Amount of light should be equal to the amount produced by a full moon.)
(7) Exits. Exits shall be marked by an approved sign that is readily visible from any direction of exit access.
(8) Exit Access Corridors. Ensure proper corridor width, travel distance and elimination of obstructions.
(9) Vertical/Horizontal Openings. Ensure fire/smoke rating of building structure is not compromised by utility conduit or other penetrations.
(10) Monthly check of fire extinguisher shall be conducted by Owner/Occupant. This check is a basic overall condition check of unit and its reliability. Monthly checks shall be conducted and recorded.
(11) Annual service is generally contract ed out to a fire equipment servicing agency with proper training, manuals, tools, re-charge materials, lubricants, and manufactures recommended replacement parts on an annual basis. Annual service of fire extinguisher shall be conducted and recorded.
(12) Sprinkler System Inspection. Quarterly inspections of sprinkler system and riser shall be conducted and recorded. Sprinkler heads shall NOT be painted, corroded or covered.
(13) Occupant Notification. Fire alarms shall have an annual service inspection, be free of defect, and operating.
(14) Fire Department Notification Emergency forces notification shall be provided to alert the fire department of fire or other emergency. This may require a dialer or written procedures to call 911.
(15) Protection from any area having a degree of hazard greater than that normal to the general occupancy of the building or structure shall be provided by one of the following means:
(1) Enclosing the area with a fire barrier of 1-hr fire resistance rating.
(2) Protecting the area with automatic extinguishing systems.
(16) The storage and handling of flammable liquids or gases shall be in accordance with the following applicable standards:
(1) NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
(2) NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code
(3) NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code
(17) Emergency Drills. Emergency egress and relocation drills, where required, shall be held with sufficient frequency to familiarize occupants with the drill procedure and to establish conduct of the drill as a matter of routine.
(18) Employee safety training and Emergency plans shall include the following:
(1) Procedures for reporting of emergencies
(2) Occupant and staff response to emergencies
(3) Design and conduct of fire drills
(4) Type and coverage of building fire protection systems
(5) Other items required by the authority having jurisdiction
(6) Emergency plans shall be reviewed and updated as required by the authority having jurisdiction.
(19) Extension cords shall not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring.
(20) Multiplug Adapters. Multiplug adapters, such as multiplug extension cords, cube adapters, strip plugs, and other devices, shall be listed and used in accordance with their listing. (No “daisy chaining” together with extension cords or additional adaptors.)
A building shall be considered to be occupied at any time it is open for general occupancy, any time it is open to the public, or at any other time it is occupied by more than 10 persons.
Assembly Occupancy. An occupancy (1) used for a gathering of 50 or more persons for deliberation, worship, entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, awaiting transportation, or similar uses; or (2) used as a special amusement building, regardless of occupant load.
Educational Occupancy. An occupancy used for educational purposes through the twelfth grade by six or more persons for 4 or more hours per day or more than 12 hours per week.
Day-Care Occupancy. An occupancy in which four or more clients receive care, maintenance, and supervision, by other than their relatives or legal guardians, for less than 24 hours per day.
Health Care Occupancy. An occupancy used for purposes of medical or other treatment or care of four or more persons where such occupants are mostly incapable of self-preservation due to age, physical or mental disability, or because of security measures not under the occupants’ control.
Detention and Correctional Occupancy.
An occupancy used to house four or more persons under varied degrees of restraint or security where such occupants are mostly incapable of self-preservation because of security measures not under the occupants’ control.
Residential Occupancy. An occupancy that provides sleeping accommodations for purposes other than health care or detention and correctional.
One- and Two-Family Dwelling Unit. A building that contains not more than two dwelling units with independent cooking and bathroom facilities.
Lodging or Rooming House. A building or portion thereof that does not qualify as a one- or two-family dwelling, that provides sleeping accommodations for a total of 16 or fewer people on a transient or permanent basis, without personal care services, with or without meals, but without separate cooking facilities for individual occupants.
Hotel. A building or groups of buildings under the same management in which there are sleeping accommodations for more than 16 persons and primarily used by transients for lodging with or without meals.
Apartment Building. A building or portion thereof containing three or more dwelling units with independent cooking and bathroom facilities.
Residential Board and Care Occupancy. A building or portion thereof that is used for lodging and boarding of four or more residents, not related by blood or marriage to the owners or operators, for the purpose of providing personal care services.
Mercantile Occupancy. An occupancy used for the display and sale of merchandise.
Business Occupancy. An occupancy used for account and record keeping or the transaction of business other than mercantile.
Industrial Occupancy. An occupancy in which products are manufactured or in which processing, assembling, mixing, packaging, finishing, decorating, or repair operations are conducted.
Storage Occupancy. An occupancy used primarily for the storage or sheltering of goods, merchandise, products, vehicles, or animals.
Classification of Hazard of Contents.
The hazard of contents of any building or structure shall be classified as low, ordinary, or high.
- Low Hazard. Low hazard contents shall be classified as those of such low combustibility that no self-propagating fire therein can occur.
- Ordinary Hazard. Ordinary hazard contents shall be classified as those that are likely to burn with moderate rapidity or to give off a considerable volume of smoke.
- High Hazard. High hazard contents shall be classified as those that are likely to burn with extreme rapidity or from which explosions are likely.