Fire and Life Safety Inspections
Fire & Life Safety Inspections
Fire and life safety inspections are an important part of preventing fires before they happen. Our goal is to identify hazards, help property owners understand applicable safety requirements, and maintain conditions that allow occupants and emergency responders to safely operate during an emergency.
Prevention Starts Before the Emergency
Many fire and life-safety problems can be corrected long before they become an emergency. Blocked exits, missing fire extinguisher service, improperly stored materials, electrical hazards, inaccessible fire department connections and other conditions can increase the danger to occupants and responding firefighters.
The Newberry Springs Fire Department uses inspections not only to identify unsafe conditions, but also to help business owners, property managers and responsible parties understand what is expected of them and why those requirements matter.
The goal is to reduce risk, maintain safe conditions and give occupants the best opportunity to safely evacuate while allowing firefighters to quickly access and operate at the property.
Fire & Life Safety Is a Shared Responsibility
Fire protection systems, exits and emergency access only work when they are maintained and available when needed. A locked exit, blocked sprinkler head or inaccessible fire department connection may seem minor during normal business operations, but during a fire those conditions can have serious consequences.
Inspection requirements vary depending on the type of occupancy, how a building is used, the number of occupants, installed fire-protection systems, hazardous materials, commercial cooking, licensing requirements and other conditions.
What Do We Look For?
Every occupancy is different, so not every item below applies to every property. Fire Department personnel may review the following areas depending on the building and its use.
Means of Egress
Exit doors, aisles, corridors, exit signs, emergency lighting and other components used by occupants to safely leave the building.
Fire Extinguishers
Proper type, placement, accessibility and current inspection or servicing documentation.
Fire Alarm & Sprinkler Systems
Required systems, visible deficiencies, system access, inspection records and related fire-protection equipment.
Fire Department Access
Address identification, access roads, gates, key boxes, hydrants and fire department connections.
Electrical & Storage Hazards
Electrical panel access, improper extension cord use, combustible storage and unsafe housekeeping conditions.
Special Hazards
Commercial cooking, hazardous materials, compressed gases, open flames and other operations specific to the occupancy.
What Happens if Something Needs to Be Corrected?
When a fire or life-safety concern is identified, the responsible party is informed of the condition and what needs to be corrected. The exact process depends on the type and seriousness of the issue.
Condition Identified
The inspector documents the applicable condition and explains the concern to the responsible party.
Correction
The owner or responsible party corrects the condition within the timeframe provided.
Follow-Up
A reinspection or other verification may be required to confirm that the condition has been corrected.
A Few Things You Can Check Ahead of Time
Maintaining these items throughout the year can help reduce common fire and life-safety problems and make the inspection process easier.
Fire Prevention Resources
The following checklists and information sheets are available to help residents, business owners, contractors and property managers better understand common fire and life-safety requirements.
Self-Inspection Checklists
These checklists allow residents and businesses to review common fire and life-safety conditions on their own.
Residential Fire & Life Safety Self-Inspection Checklist
A practical home safety checklist covering alarms, escape planning, electrical safety, heating, cooking, generators and wildfire readiness.
Open Residential Checklist → CommercialCommercial Fire & Life Safety Self-Inspection Checklist
A pre-inspection checklist covering exits, extinguishers, fire-protection systems, electrical safety, storage and operations.
Open Commercial Checklist →Fire & Life Safety Business Inspection
This document is separate from the voluntary Commercial Self-Inspection Checklist. It provides businesses with information about common fire and life-safety conditions that may be reviewed during an official Fire Department inspection.
View Business Inspection Information →Fire Prevention Standards & Guidance
Technical information for development, emergency access, fire-protection systems and other fire prevention requirements.
Property & Access
Addressing, emergency access, roadways and site requirements.
Water Supply & Connections
Hydrants, fire department connections and valves.
Fire Protection Systems
Systems and equipment designed to detect, control or extinguish fires.
Electrical & Special Hazards
Electrical safety, chemicals and energy systems.
Events, Care Facilities & Special Uses
Additional guidance for temporary events, specialized occupancies and activities with unique fire and life-safety considerations.
Events & Temporary Uses
Special events and temporary operations.
Care & Educational Uses
Care facilities, day care and educational occupancies.
Occupancy Classification Guides
Select an occupancy group to review common uses and important classification distinctions.