Fire alarms are crucial because they alert people in the building when there is a fire hazard so they can evacuate the area while firemen respond to the alarm and extinguish the flames. Thus, one of the principals of fire inspections is that the inspector must verify that the fire alarm system for the building is installed correctly and that it operates effectively. For buildings that have a separate fire alarm in every room, inspectors must test all of the alarms to ensure that they are capable of successfully detecting fire or smoke hazards and that they sound the appropriate alert to warn people and call the fire department.
When dangerous fires develop in a building, it is essential that convenient and easily accessible emergency exit doors are available so people can quickly escape from the hazard. Inspectors must make sure that buildings have emergency fire exits and that the exit doors and the hallways or stairways leading to the doors are unobstructed. The inspector must also verify that the exit doors can open easily without locks or bolts and that the doors are never locked from the inside during business hours.
Many fires spark and ignite in buildings because of faulty electrical wiring in the walls. To prevent electrical problems from causing fires, inspectors must carefully and thoroughly check the electrical system of the building to ensure that electrical wires are properly installed and that the system functions correctly. The inspector must ensure that cords and cables are in good condition, that the wall outlets and switches have adequate cover plates and are not overloaded and that extension cords are U.L listed outlet bar types, which is the surge protector style.
When small flames or smoke hazards develop, many times the people in the building can quench the flames before they can develop into a destructive blazing fire by spraying the area with a fire extinguisher. Thus, fire inspectors must verify that the building has a sufficient number of fire extinguishers and that the devices work effectively. The specific number and type of extinguishers a building must have depends on the size of the building and the particular hazards associated with the building.
To pass the inspection, each fire extinguisher must have a minimum rating of 2A:10BC. A portable extinguisher must be easily available within 75 feet of all portions and areas of the building, and these portable extinguishers must be clearly visible and unobstructed by any objects. Furthermore, once a year the extinguishers must be serviced by a certified fire extinguisher company, and so the date of the last service test must be within the last 12 months at the time of the inspection.