Fire inspection reports are written documents filled out during a fire safety inspection by the inspector. After the inspection has been completed, reports will be given to building owners.

Reports are comprised of:

• Date of the inspection
• Name and location of the building
• Checklists for various pieces of equipment and fire protection system components
  • Fire alarms, emergency lighting, sprinklers, batteries, etc.
• Fire inspection outcome (either “safe” or “not safe”)
• Inspector’s notes
  • This includes potential fire hazards and code violations, as well as their recommendations on how to remedy these issues. Notes may contain photos and videos as well.
• Inspector’s signature

If the inspector finds you are in violation of your authority having jurisdiction’s (AHJ) fire code, they may also provide you with a deadline, by which all violations must be resolved. On the date specified by the inspector, your facility will be subject to a follow-up *re-inspection* to verify that correction action has been taken.

Fire inspections exist to identify potential fire hazards, ensure *fire protection systems* and procedures are serving their purposes, and supply building owners with feedback on ways to increase safety.

There are actually quite a few types of fire inspections that target different aspects of your fire protection system and operate on their own schedules. Inspections also vary based on facility classification and stage of construction. Specific kinds of inspections include:

• Fire suppression system inspections
• Harbor and marine inspections
• Pre-opening fire inspections
• Speciality fire and safety inspections
• Sprinkler system inspections
• Routine building inspections

For the sake of this article, we are going to speak broadly about what inspectors are looking for during fire inspections in general, not one type in particular. Contact your AHJ to obtain more information on which types of inspections you are subject to and how regularly they are conducted.

During an inspection, the inspector will check the following:

• Electrical equipment
  • Circuits
  • Outlets
  • Wiring
• Fire protection systems
  • Alarm systems
  • Detection systems
  • Emergency lighting systems
  • Evacuation plans
  • Exit doors
  • Exit signage
  • Fire alarm systems
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Fire suppression systems
  • Sprinkler systems
• Written documentation
  • Evacuation plans
  • Past inspections
  • Procedures

But, what exactly are inspectors checking for?

In addition to just making sure that systems are not malfunctioning, inspectors have their eyes peeled for fire or chemical hazards such as obstructed exits, improperly stored flammable liquids or gases, and accumulated combustible dust. They may use infrared cameras to detect hazards hidden in machines or electrical equipment. Inspectors will also be checking that all parts of each component are operable and that procedures do not have any pitfalls that could potentially lead to fires igniting.

The AHJ over the area your building is in will determine who conducts inspections and generates fire inspection reports for your building. Whether they be a fire marshal or an inspection agency employee, the inspector is just one of many fire protection professionals in what the NFPA calls the Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem. The goal of the people making up the ecosystem—and thus the goal of the ecosystem itself—is to prevent injuries and deaths by identifying and minimizing risks posed by fires, electricity, and other hazards.

Whatever their official job title may be, inspectors are people with specific qualifications that allow them to legally enforce the code adopted by the AHJ they are working under. Commonly, jurisdictions enforce NFPA 1 (otherwise known as the Fire Code) and/or NFPA 101 (or, the Life Safety Code)—or at least, some variation of those codes, since amendments can be made to them by individual jurisdictions. Some fire inspectors may also issue permits and approve construction plans, in addition to carrying out inspections and creating fire inspection reports.

To avoid receiving negative fire inspection reports, regularly conduct inspections of your own. By frequently checking the systems of your building, you will stay up-to-date on any and all potential issues they may pose and be able to address said issues swiftly.

Some of the most common causes of negative fire inspection reports are:

• Faulty wiring
• Improperly stored combustible or hazardous materials
• Insufficient exit signage or lighting
• Issues with fire alarm systems
• Issues with the way fire extinguishers or sprinkler systems are maintained
• Obstructed exits

To avoid these pitfalls and others, start tracking your inspections with InspectNTrack today. Our program allows you to store, track, and analyze data on any and all inspections—from sprinklers to emergency lights and more—all on just one platform. Beyond all of that, our software also allows you to automate schedules, ensuring you never miss a single inspection. If you are looking for the easiest but most effective way to make sure your future fire inspection reports are positive ones, contact us today to get started.