In 2022, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that fires contributed to nearly 4,000 deaths and $18 billion in property damage. Fire protection professionals play a big role in preventing these tragedies. Their work is crucial to identifying and mitigating fire risks, ensuring compliance with fire codes and industry standards, and protecting lives and property. That’s why thorough and compliant fire safety inspections are an absolute necessity for every building.
What Is a Fire Safety Inspection?
A fire safety inspection evaluates a structure’s fire protection systems and procedures. The goal is to identify potential hazards, ensure compliance with fire safety codes, maintain the functionality and operations of detection and suppression systems, and ultimately protect lives and property.
Different types of inspections are required for different types of buildings (commercial vs. industrial vs. residential) and different stages of construction (pre-opening inspections vs. annual compliance inspections).
Fire codes, enforced by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), outline inspection requirements for every fire protection system–although many fire protection businesses have additional processes that go above and beyond basic compliance requirements. These codes determine everything from inspection frequency to testing processes to operational standards.
Exactly who is responsible for conducting these fire safety inspections? Well, it depends on your municipality and your AHJ. Some areas rely on the fire department to perform inspections, and other jurisdictions may require state-certified private inspection agencies to conduct inspections.
What Do Fire Safety Inspections Include?
While each fire protection business has its own processes, most fire safety inspections start with the planning stage. The inspector reviews fire codes, regulations, building plans, occupancy type, and past inspection reports to prepare for the on-site assessment.
During the inspection, the inspector examines the building and focuses on key areas, including:
- Fire protection systems: Are fire alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, and any other systems functioning properly?
- Potential fire or chemical hazards: Are there flammable materials or hazardous chemicals on-site? Are they stored safely and properly? What is the status of the building’s ventilation system?
- Electrical equipment: Are the wiring, outlets, and other electrical equipment in good condition and free of potential hazards?
- Fire safety equipment: Does the building have adequate smoke and fire alarms, emergency lighting, exit signs, suppression systems like sprinklers, and a clear evacuation plan?
The purpose of the inspection is to ensure fire protection systems and processes are working properly. But what happens if they aren’t? Inspectors carefully document any fire safety code violations or hazards they find. This includes taking photos of deficiencies and recording detailed notes to support their findings.
Following the inspection, the inspector will create a report outlining potential fire hazards, code violations, and recommendations. Reports are a crucial part of inspections as they detail necessary next steps to ensure the building meets fire safety standards. Depending on violation severity, follow-up inspections may be necessary to ensure implementation of corrective action. These inspections verify compliance and may involve re-inspecting areas with previously identified deficiencies or conducting a full inspection of the building.
Regular inspections are a cornerstone of fire safety and create a proactive line of defense against the risks and consequences of a fire.
Common Fire Protection Deficiencies
Fire inspectors encounter a wide range of fire safety deficiencies during inspections. Some common life safety code violations include:
- Faulty or malfunctioning fire alarm systems
- Improperly maintained fire extinguishers
- Blocked exits or inadequate exit lighting and signage
- Unsafe storage of combustible or hazardous materials
- Improper testing or infrequent maintenance of sprinkler systems
- Electrical hazards, including wiring issues
Some deficiencies are obvious, even to the untrained eye, but others can be harder to spot. These deficiencies can have serious consequences. Beyond potential financial penalties and possible legal liabilities, they put lives and property at risk. With improperly inspected and maintained fire protection systems, employees, customers, and residents are at risk–so is the building and all the personal property contained within it.
The Importance of Regular Fire Inspections
Regular fire inspections can significantly reduce that risk. By proactively identifying and addressing potential hazards, inspectors help customers prevent fires before they flare up.
Beyond the devastating human toll, fires also have a substantial economic impact. Property damage, business interruptions, and increased insurance premiums can harm businesses and communities. Regular fire inspections help mitigate these risks by preventing fires and minimizing consequences with quick response.
Inspections are also important because fire codes, regulations, and best practices are always evolving. Building use and occupancy numbers often change over time, too. Regular inspections ensure fire protection systems and procedures are up-to-date with the latest codes, still relevant for the use of the building, and always operational and effective.
Ultimately, fire safety is a shared responsibility. Regular inspections are a cornerstone of fire safety and create a proactive line of defense against the risks and consequences of a fire.
Streamlining Fire Protection Workflows
Fire inspectors and technicians understand the importance of thorough inspections. However, the traditional inspection process can be time-consuming and require them to complete and store piles of paperwork. This is where workflow optimization solutions like Inspect Point come in.
Inspect Point has features specifically designed to automate and enhance fire protection workflows. With Inspect Point, fire protection businesses can:
- Electronically schedule, track, and manage inspection data
- Generate customized inspection reports quickly and easily
- Keep up-to-date on the latest fire codes and compliance requirements
- Track and manage deficiencies through to resolution
- Create proposals, work orders, and invoices with a single click
- Communicate effectively with property owners and other customers
- Leverage mobile capabilities for on-site data collection, photo and video capture, and real-time updates
- Capture and analyze inspection data to identify trends and patterns to improve fire safety strategies
- Integrate with other systems to streamline operations across the business
- Improve communication and coordination among team members and across departments
Inspect Point is more than a software platform. We’re a true partner to optimize inspections and life safety workflows for fire protection businesses of all sizes.
Ready to learn more about how Inspect Point can help you upgrade your existing workflow?
Book a Demo
