What Is Typically Included in Fire and Safety Inspections for a Commercial Property
Posted on: 15 December 2017
If you own or manage any type of commercial property, that building will probably need to go through fire and safety inspections on a regular basis. This is typically true even of office complexes or small shops that don't have a kitchen, or any other obvious fire and safety risk.
An inspector or someone from the office that issues business licenses can give you specific information about these fire safety requirements for your property, but note what is often included in these inspections. This will ensure you know what to have updated and in good working order for such an inspection, and will also understand why these inspections are so important for every type of property.
Interior fire safety
Your building's fire extinguishers are inspected during a standard fire safety check; this means their location and if they're fully charged and easily accessible. Note that it's usually not sufficient to simply have extinguishers on hand, if they're kept in a closet or supply room, but they need to be accessible to your staff and anyone else in the building. In many cases, you may even need signage that points out the location of such extinguishers.
Emergency exits are also checked, as these need to be free of obstruction and not locked while the building is occupied. The lights of your emergency exit signs will also typically be checked, to ensure these will function if the power goes out in the building. The building vents are often checked, as these need to be clear so they can remove heat after a fire starts. The sprinklers are also checked for proper operation and to ensure they are free of obstruction.
Accessibility
Larger buildings usually need a check for exterior accessibility. This is to ensure that emergency vehicles can have easy access to the building; an inspector might check safety and emergency lanes to ensure they are not blocked, and may also check outside signage that indicates emergency entrances and exits.
Hydrants
Larger buildings may also be required to have hydrants on site, so that emergency personnel have easy access to water or a fire suppressant. These may need to be painted a certain colour, and they also need to be accessible and not blocked by cars or items being stored onsite. Many hydrants also have a pressure gauge, just like a fire extinguisher, and these are usually inspected to ensure the hydrant is ready to be used.
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