How Prepared Is Your Organization For Your Next Fire Safety Inspection?
Organizations unprepared for annual and unannounced inspections not only put their operations at risk, but also jeopardize the safety of their building’s occupants. Rather than approach inspections with trepidation, there are a number of things you can do to ensure visits from the fire marshal are productive and positive exchanges. This article dives into the steps you can take to prepare for your next fire safety inspection!
Be Familiar With Fire Safety Codes And Ordinances Relevant To Your Area
Because every state and local government has its own fire code, it’s imperative that you educate yourself on the ordinances relevant to your jurisdiction as well as current international fire codes set forth by the International Code Council. While this may feel like a daunting task, look to resources such as the NFPA’s interactive Code Finder Tool to find codes and standards used in your state. These resources will help you understand what is needed for compliance, therefore preparing you for your next fire safety inspection.
Another way you can become familiar with relevant fire safety codes and maintain compliance is through the help of InspectNTrack’s fire safety software. Our mobile software provides instant access to code-compliant ITM (Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance) programs. To access this benefit, users simply upload all of their fire and life safety equipment and the software directs them on exactly how to inspect and maintain the equipment. For those seeking to better prepare for their next fire safety inspection, InspectNTrack software can be a great tool.
Get To Know Your Local Fire And Emergency Response Teams
Establishing a relationship with your local fire department and emergency response teams may make all the difference in the unlikely event of a fire. Invite emergency personnel to your building and offer to do a walk-through, pointing out the locations of emergency exits, fire extinguishers, alarm pull stations, and staff meeting points. Provide them with building floor plans, door access codes, and relevant organizational contact information. And by all means, ask what you can do to make their jobs easier in an emergency situation – and follow through on their suggestions.
Post Current Egress Plans Throughout The Building
Post Current Egress Plans Throughout The Building
The best safety systems in the world are not enough if no one can get out of the building. That is why egress plans are important.
An egress plan is a map of a facility that contains critical information such as emergency routes, evacuation paths and red exit signs that lead to stairs and doorways. By looking at an egress plan, an individual should know where to go in an emergency, even if they have never participated in a fire drill at the facility.
Familiarize yourself with OSHA requirements so that you have the appropriate number of exit routes based on the size of your building and organization. By looking into OSHA requirements, making emergency plans, and distributing egress plans, organizations can prepare for their next fire safety inspection and a fire emergency.
Have Your Records Organized And Easily Accessible
Have Your Records Organized And Easily Accessible
In every fire safety inspection scenario, it is critical that you be able to quickly provide the fire marshal with records showing your compliance. Most fire protection systems are a complex network of systems, devices, and alarms, all of which have different requirements for inspection, testing, and maintenance. Without precise and rigorous record keeping, producing the documents showing your system is up-to-date at a moment’s notice can be a difficult feat. Consider implementing a robust fire and life safety inspection software such as InspectNTrack to manage your system’s scheduling, inspections, maintenance activities, and record keeping. This will ensure that inspections and maintenance are performed as needed and that records and forms are accessible on-demand by request.
Fire safety inspections many seem like an annoyance, but they are invaluable and intended to protect your business and the individuals that work there. By taking a bit of time to prepare for these visits, you’re much more likely to see them as such, and to walk away from these inspections as a stronger, safer organization.
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