Illinois Fire Codes: Animal Shelter Laws are Changing, What You Need To Know

Illinois Fire Codes: Animal Shelter Laws are Changing, What You Need To Know

Across the United States, fire codes are set for animal shelters and kennels for the safety of the animals as well as those who care for them. In Illinois, a fire that occurred in 2019 spurred lawmakers to change the fire safety codes in the state regarding such facilities. During the fire, 31 dogs perished and investigators found that no staff was on hand and sprinklers were not on site. A new law is now in effect and animal shelters need to be compliant with the new Chicago fire safety laws.

Making Changes

Effective January 1^st, 2020, the state of Illinois requires that kennels are staffed 24/7. If they are not, the facility must have sprinkler systems in place or alarms that will alert the fire department in the event of a fire.

For Chicago fire safety requirements for local kennels and animal shelters, this law applies. Lifesaving equipment needs to be installed so that the animals can be safe if no caretakers are present. It is also important to have such equipment on-site so that employees can assist in helping the animals or putting out the flames if a fire were to occur during normal business hours.

The Right Equipment

At Connected Fire, we can assist your animal shelter in having the proper equipment in the event of a fire. You need to have a prepped site where employees know just what to do if a fire were to occur. We can provide fire extinguishers in several areas of the facility to assist in putting out small fires.

Depending on the activities that are completed on-site, several types of fire extinguishers may be needed. There are certain types that work on different types of fire, such as a grease fire. Having the right fire extinguisher on hand is essential to saving lives.

Emergency lighting and exit signs are also a must. When you have a large facility, employees, as well as any visitors, need to know how to get out of the building. We can provide quality lighting and signs so that exits are clearly marked and everyone can leave the facility in a safe and calm manner.

Smoke detectors are another major component needed in an animal shelter. Chicago fire safety laws require smoke detectors to be in place and operating correctly for everyone’s safety. Battery operated smoke detectors need to be checked on a regular basis to ensure the alarm will sound if a fire breaks out.

If the batteries are not fresh or the detector is not working for some reason, employees and/or the animals may lose precious time to get out in the event of a fire.

If you have an animal shelter or kennel, let our team of experts provide the much-needed components for fire safety. We are well-equipped to ensure your property is safe from fire and everyone has a chance to reach safety. Give us a call today to find out more about our service options or to schedule an appointment.