The first item on the life and safety inspection checklist is fire alarms. Fire alarm inspection requirements vary depending on the type of property, the state and local regulations, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. NFPA 72 is the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code that establishes the minimum requirements for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire alarm systems. The code covers the installation, performance, testing, and maintenance of fire alarm systems, including detection, signaling, and emergency communication systems.

Fire alarm inspections should be performed by licensed or certified professionals who have the appropriate training and experience. The frequency of inspections can vary depending on the type of property and the state and local regulations. For example, in California, fire alarm systems in high-rise buildings must be inspected annually, while systems in other buildings must be inspected at least once every three years. OSHA Standard 1910.164 also offers valuable guidelines for the installation, maintenance, and testing of fire detection systems.

In general, it is recommended that fire alarm systems be inspected and tested at least once a year, with additional inspections and tests as needed. Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to ensure that fire alarm systems are functioning properly and can alert occupants in case of a fire.

The next life safety inspection item to be aware of is smoke detectors. Smoke detectors should be inspected at least annually to ensure that they are functioning properly. The NFPA recommends that smoke detectors be inspected and tested according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which may include cleaning the detector, testing the battery, and checking the sensitivity of the detector.

An additional way to prepare for life safety inspections is to review any fire sprinkler systems. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, fire sprinkler systems must be inspected and tested at various intervals to ensure proper operation and maintenance. The standard outlines the required inspection and testing frequencies for various components of the fire sprinkler system, such as control valves, alarm devices, and water supply sources.

The NFPA 25 requires that fire sprinkler systems be inspected on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, and multi-year basis. Weekly inspections should include checking the control valves to ensure they are in the proper position and checking the system for leaks. Monthly inspections should include checking the alarm devices and control valves for proper operation and checking the water supply pressure. Quarterly inspections should include checking the alarm devices, control valves, and hydraulic nameplate for proper operation and checking the water flow alarm. Annual inspections should include a complete system inspection and testing of all components, including the fire pump, alarm devices, and control valves. Multi-year inspections should include a complete inspection of the system and testing of all components, including the water supply sources, fire department connections, and antifreeze systems.

It is important to note that state and local regulations may have additional requirements for fire sprinkler system inspections and testing. Building owners and managers should consult with their local fire department and code officials to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.

When preparing for life safety inspections, be sure not to overlook fire extinguishers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 1910.157 requires that all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace be inspected, maintained, and tested. The visual inspection of portable extinguishers or hoses should be conducted monthly. The hydrostatic testing of extinguishers should be done every 5 years for pressurized water, carbon dioxide, and wet chemical extinguishers, and every 12 years for dry chemical extinguishers.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers provides requirements to ensure that portable fire extinguishers will work as intended to provide a first line of defense against fires of limited size.

Regular inspections, maintenance, and testing of fire extinguishers are essential to ensure that they are functioning properly and can be used effectively in case of a fire emergency.

Another checklist item for life safety inspections is emergency lighting. The inspection requirements for emergency lighting are governed by various regulations and standards. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101, Life Safety Code, requires that emergency lighting be tested for a minimum of 90 minutes annually to ensure the full capacity of the batteries. The testing can be done through a self-test method, which allows the units to test themselves and indicate any issues via an indicator light.

NFPA 101 also requires that emergency lighting be provided for all means of egress, including exits and pathways leading to them, stairs designated for emergency exit, aisles, corridors, ramps, escalators, and other passageways that lead to an exit.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that emergency lighting systems be inspected and tested monthly to ensure that they are in good working condition. OSHA Standard 1910.37 also mandates that exit routes be adequately lighted so that an employee with normal vision can see along the exit route, and that each exit must be clearly visible and marked with a sign reading “Exit”.

In addition, emergency lighting systems must be designed to remain illuminated for at least 90 minutes, and illumination levels are allowed to decline to an average of 0.6 foot-candles, with a 0.06-foot-candle minimum, at the end of the 90-minute period.

Along with emergency lighting, exit signs are a piece of fire and life safety equipment that should be maintained for life safety inspections. Exit signs are an essential component of any building’s fire safety system. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101, Life Safety Code, requires that exit signs be illuminated and visible from any direction of approach. The code also requires that exit signs be located at every exit and in every corridor or hallway leading to an exit.

The NFPA 101 further mandates that exit signs be inspected and tested at least once every 30 days to ensure that they are in good working condition. The inspection should include checking the illumination of the exit markings to confirm that they are visible and functioning properly.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 1910.37 also requires that exit signs be illuminated and visible, and that they be installed at every exit and maintained in a clean and legible condition. OSHA also mandates that exit routes be maintained and kept free of obstructions, and that exit doors be unlocked from the inside at all times during working hours.

To best prepare, include fire doors in your life safety inspection checklist. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 80: Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives, requires that fire doors be inspected and tested annually to ensure that they are in good working condition.

The inspection should include checking for missing or damaged fire door labels, gaps between the door and frame, missing or damaged hardware, and proper operation of the door. Fire doors should also be tested to ensure that they close and latch properly, and that the door’s closing speed is within the manufacturer’s specifications.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 1910.36 also requires that fire doors be inspected annually to ensure that they are in good working condition and that they are not blocked or obstructed.

A life safety inspection checklist item that can be easily overlooked is flammable liquids and chemicals. Because of this, flammable cabinets are essential for safety storing flammable liquids and chemicals in the workplace. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code offers guidelines on the proper installation, use, and inspection requirements for flammable cabinets. The frequency of flammable cabinet inspections depends on several factors, including the type of cabinet, type of flammable liquids or chemicals stored, and the regulatory requirements applicable to the workplace.

Generally, flammable cabinets should be inspected at least once a year to ensure they are in good working condition and comply with safety regulations. However the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 1926.152 requires flammable cabinets to be inspected every three months.

This is only a sampling of life safety inspections that are important for keeping a workplace safe and in compliance. There are requirements that govern all types of equipment such as fall protection, PPE, ladders, ventilation hoods, safety showers, and more. Without an effective system in place, ensuring that the proper inspections are being performed on the proper schedules can be a daunting task. InspectNTrack software offers a single system that manages every type of fire and life safety requirement within a facility. It stores an inventory of equipment within the facility and associates the proper regulatory code to each equipment. This allows inspections to be performed accurately and on time with a simple scan of a barcode on the equipment.

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