What Happens If I Fail A Fire Safety Inspection?

What Happens If I Fail A Fire Safety Inspection?

Failing a fire safety inspection is not ideal. For property owners, measures should be taken to ensure that all protocols are followed, and anything related to fire safety inside the building is cared for correctly. From emergency exit lighting to fire extinguisher installations and smoke alarms, certain aspects must be maintained in your building to ensure safety. A fire inspection can happen at any time and if you fail, certain steps must be taken to allow your facility to remain in operation.

Failing the Fire Safety Inspection

When undergoing a Chicago fire safety inspection, the inspector will be looking for deficiencies within your property. Each deficiency will be written down and then relayed to you at the end of the inspection. In some cases, you might not necessarily fail the inspection, but have issues that need to be addressed.

With a failed safety inspection, you will be required to correct the problems found. The inspector will return at a later date to ensure that you made the changes. The reinspection time frame is up to the individual and you must adhere to the deficiencies listed on your inspection to pass the second time.

Common Fire Safety Violations

In general, there are common violations that occur during a Chicago fire safety inspection. By ensuring you do not make these mistakes, you are more likely to pass your next inspection. One major issues is obstructed exits. All exits of the building must be free and clear so that individuals inside can get out in the event of a fire.

Hallways and stairways are to be free of debris for easy exiting. Doors should remain unlocked or have keys nearby so that the opening can be used for exiting at any given time.

Emergency sign issues are another cause for failure. If you have emergency exit signs within your property, they need to be well-lit so that anyone can find their way out of the building. Proper illumination, emergency lighting or sounds must be operational, or you will be marked off during your inspection. The signs should be checked on a regular basis to ensure proper function.

Malfunctioning fire protection equipment is another issue. Portable fire extinguishers need to be up to date and functioning properly. Smoke detectors need to have fresh batteries and go off at the first sign of fire. Large buildings often go for many years without the need for fire safety equipment use. Because of this, it can be easy to fall behind on updating or maintaining this equipment. However, this is not ideal, because if a fire were to occur, the equipment would not provide the safety measures needed to prevent injury or death.

If you own a building that is subject to fire safety inspections, schedule regular maintenance checks yourself so that you know first-hand that the fire safety needs of your building are properly maintained. This way, you pass any Chicago fire inspection with flying colors, ensuring anyone in your building is safe in the event of a fire.