Module 25:

Inspections

Emergency Services
Training Institute
(ESTI)
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 Objective
Upon the successful completion of this module,
the participant will be able to perform a building
inspection and complete and inspection report.

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 Introduction
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101,
Life Safety Code
• Legal Issues
• Conducting Fire Prevention Inspections
• Life Safety Code Definitions
• Causes and Prevention of Typical Fire Hazards

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 Introduction
• Fire Extinguishers
• Chimneys and Flues
• Standpipe Systems
• Building Inspection Report

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 National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) 101, Life Safety Code
• The purpose of NFPA 101 is to provide an
environment for occupants that is reasonably
safe from fire & similar emergencies
• Covers a wide range of fire & safety issues:
– Regulations to prevent fires, eliminate fire hazards,
protect lives, and limit losses
– Minimum criteria for egress
– Construction, protection, & occupancy features

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 Legal Issues
• Legal issues are less likely to occur when
inspectors receive thorough training that meets
jurisdictional requirements
• Fire inspectors may avoid legal actions by:
– Having complete understanding of Code
– Knowing the different ways the Code may be
interpreted
– Knowing their duties

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 Legal Issues
• Right of entry:
– Authorities & conditions allowing entry:
• Fire inspector is competent authority that examines
buildings’ equipment & processes
• Inspector may be required to be certified to NFPA 1031,
Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire
Inspectors

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 Legal Issues
• Right of entry:
– Authorities & conditions allowing entry:
• Inspectors must have knowledge of:
– Statutes that created position / designate him / her to perform
inspections
– Statutes that provide legal basis & requirements for fire
prevention activities
– Laws, codes, & ordinances detailing various fire safety
requirements & inspector’s duties & responsibilities
– Statutes limiting authority

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 Legal Issues
• Right of entry:
– Authorities & conditions allowing entry:
• Inspectors must have knowledge of:
– Edition of code being used & when it was adopted
– The appeals process
– How statutes / laws can be changed

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 Legal Issues
• Right of entry:
– Authorities & conditions allowing entry:
• Must understand level of authority jurisdiction grants:
– Authority to arrest
– Authority to issue summons
– Authority to issue citation
– Authority to interrupt business operations containing conditions
immediately dangerous to life & safety

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 Legal Issues
• Right of entry:
– Limits & conditions of entering a property:
• U.S. Supreme Court ruled property owners have right to
refuse inspection until warrant has been issued

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 Legal Issues
• Procedures for gaining code compliance:
– Fire inspectors should:
• Identify themselves
• State reason for inspection
• Request permission for inspection
• Invite building representative to walk along
• Carry & follow written inspection procedure

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 Legal Issues
• Procedures for gaining code compliance:
– Fire inspectors should:
• Request search warrant if necessary
• Issue stop orders for extremely hazardous conditions
• Have guidelines readily available
• Be trained in fire hazard recognition & applicable laws &
ordinances
• Develop reliable recordkeeping sytem

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 Legal Issues
• Procedures for
gaining code
compliance:
– Appeals process

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 Legal Issues
• Legal liability of fire service personnel:
– Liability incurred:
• Fire inspectors not held liable for:
– Discretionary actions are those considered necessary to fulfill
their responsibilities
• Fire inspectors are liable for:
– Ministerial actions which refers to the manner in which
inspectors carry out an act / policy

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 Conducting Fire
Prevention Inspections
• Benefits & advantages:
– Reduces risk & increases prevention of future fires
– Compares statistical data from previous incidents
& helps identify major fire causes & possible
solutions
– Permits inspection personnel to communicate
unsafe conditions to building occupants & owners

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 Conducting Fire
Prevention Inspections
• Personnel requirements:
– 18 years of age
– High school graduate / equivalent
– Proficient in oral & written communications
– Ability to interact with public
– Ability to identify entity for which duties will be
performed

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 Conducting Fire
Prevention Inspections
• Preparing for the inspection:
– Scheduling
• Take common sense approach
• Factors to consider when scheduling multiple buildings
during normal workday:
– Size of occupancy
– Type of business involved
– Preliminary inspection / follow-up inspection
– Location of building
– How familiar inspector is with building

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 Conducting Fire
Prevention Inspections
• Preparing for the inspection:
– Equipment requirements:
• Safety equipment
• Coveralls
• Clipboard & forms
• Sketching materials
• Measuring tape

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 Conducting Fire
Prevention Inspections
• Preparing for the inspection:
– Equipment requirements:
• Flashlight
• Camera & flash
• Pitot tube & gauge, hydrant wrench, & static pressure
cap
• Code books, building plans, & previous reports

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 Conducting Fire
Prevention Inspections
• Conducting the inspection:
– Introduction & approach:
• Ensure building name & address are correct
• Inspect exterior condition of building
• Record type of building construction & height
• Note conditions that affect / hinder fire department access
• Record location of private & public fire hydrants, fire
department sprinkler / standpipe connections, fire
escapes, & other items of interest

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 Conducting Fire
Prevention Inspections
• Conducting the inspection:
– Introduction & approach:
• To begin building inspection:
– Enter through main public entrance
– Locate building representative & identify yourself
– Describe inspection purpose & procedure
– Request representative to accompany you

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 Conducting Fire
Prevention Inspections
• Conducting the inspection:
– Introduction & approach:
• Systematic approach:
– Start from roof working downward
– Start from basement working upward
– Follow established manufacturing process of working from raw
materials end to finished product end
– Request all locked areas be unlocked

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 Conducting Fire
Prevention Inspections
• Conducting the inspection:
– Introduction & approach:
• Photographs:
– Good source of documentation
– Shows before, during, & after views
– More helpful that sketches / drawings

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 Conducting Fire
Prevention Inspections
• Conducting the inspection:
– Final interview:
• Discuss results
• Be polite but firm
• Be positive
• Be professional

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 Conducting Fire
Prevention Inspections
• Conducting the inspection:
– Follow-up:
• Confirm time & date of follow-up
• Only inspect problem areas
• Verify hazards have been corrected

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 Conducting Fire
Prevention Inspections
• Conducting the inspection:
– Inspection report & map:
• Inspection report should include:
– Name of business
– Type of occupancy
– Date of inspection
– Name of inspector
– Name of business owner
– Name of property owner

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 Conducting Fire
Prevention Inspections
• Conducting the inspection:
– Inspection report & map:
• Inspection report should include:
– Name of person accompanying inspector
– Edition of code used
– List of violations & hazards
– Specific recommendations
– Date for follow-up inspection

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 Life Safety Code Definitions
• Occupancy classifications:
– Places of assembly
– Educational
– Health care
– Detention / correction
– Residential

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 Life Safety Code Definitions
• Occupancy classifications:
– Mercantile
– Business
– Industrial
– Storage

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 Life Safety Code Definitions
• Means of egress:
– 3 distinct components:
• Exit access
• Exit
• Exit discharge

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 Life Safety Code Definitions
• Means of egress:
– Exit access is a means of egress that leads to an
exit
– Exit is a means of egress that is separated from
area of building from which escape is to be made
– Exit discharge is a means of egress that is
between the end of an exit & a public way

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 Life Safety Code Definitions
• Occupant load:
– Total number of persons who may occupy a
building / portion of building at any one time
– Determined by dividing area of building by
maximum floor area allowance per occupant / fixed
seat
– Cannot exceed exit capacity

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 Life Safety Code Definitions
• Fire load:
– Maximum heat produced if all combustible
materials in given area burn
– Fire load classifications:
• Slight: 5 psf
• Moderate: 10 psf
• Moderately severe: 10 – 15 psf
• Severe: 15 – 20 psf
• Very severe: > 20 psf

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 Causes and Prevention
of Typical Fire Hazards
• Four common causes:
– Housekeeping practices
– Smoking
– Open burning
– Electrical sources of ignition

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 Causes and Prevention
of Typical Fire Hazards
• Fire hazards:
– Common hazards:
• Fuel hazards
• Heat source hazards
– Special fire hazards:
• Manufacturing
• Commercial
• Public assembly
– Target hazards
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 Causes and Prevention
of Typical Fire Hazards
• Storage of flammable & combustible liquids:
– API, NFPA, & UL set standards regarding proper
storage practices
– Storage tanks:
• Aboveground storage tanks
• Underground storage tanks
• Inside storage tanks

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 Causes and Prevention
of Typical Fire Hazards
• Storage of flammable & combustible liquids:
– Containers & portable storage tanks:
• Inside storage of containers & portable tanks
• Storage cabinets & rooms

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 Causes and Prevention
of Typical Fire Hazards
• Outside container storage:
– Exterior walls of building next to outside storage
container should be constructed of noncombustible
materials & have fire-resistance rating of at least 2
hours
– Should not be an opening within 10 feet of storage
area
– Storage areas should be graded so spills have at
least 6-inch curb
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 Fire Extinguishers
• Extinguisher placement & accessibility:
– Place extinguishers near normal paths of travel
– Make sure extinguisher is not blocked
– Place near points of egress / ingress
– Mounting should be readily visible & easily
accessible

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 Fire Extinguishers
• Extinguisher type:
– 3 risk classifications:
• Light hazard
• Ordinary (moderate) hazard
• Extra (high) hazard

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 Fire Extinguishers
• Inspection of fire extinguisher:
– Check for the following:
• Proper location & accessibility
• Obstructions, cracks, & dirt / grease in discharge
nozzle / horn
• Operating instructions on nameplate are legible
• Lockpins & tamper seals

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 Fire Extinguishers
• Inspection of fire extinguisher:
– Check for the following:
• Fullness & pressurization
• Inspection tag for date of previous inspection,
maintenance, / recharge
• Condition of hose & associated fittings
• Physical damage

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 Chimneys and Flues
• Types:
– Traditional chimneys are masonry
– Newer chimneys are of prefabricated metal
– When inspecting, check:
• Condition of chimneys & spark arresters
• Condition of mortar
• Frequency of cleaning

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 Chimneys and Flues
• Deficiencies:
– Chimneys supported on wooden posts / brackets
may settle, causing cracking
– If loose bricks, open joints, & cracks present, fire
may start
– Prefabricated chimneys that are not well insulated
and come in contact with combustible materials
may cause fire

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 Standpipe Systems
• Visual inspection:
– Standpipes should be inspected when initially
installed
– Following initial inspection, monthly inspections
should be made by building management

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 Building Inspection Report
• Important to keep written records of inspections
to document notice of hazardous conditions &
corrective actions to be taken
• Should include:
– Name of business
– Type of occupancy
– Date of inspection
– Name of inspector

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 Building Inspection Report
• Should include:
– Name of business owner / occupant
– Name of property owner
– Person accompanying inspector
– Edition of applicable code
– List of violations & location
– Specific recommendations for compliance
– Date of follow-up inspection

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 Summary
Fire safety inspections are one of the most
important fire preventions methods available to
communities today. By conducting inspections &
enforcing fire codes, lives, injuries, & property
damage are reduced.

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 Module Quiz

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 Activities
• Activity 25.1 — Building Inspection
• Activity 25.2 — Standpipe System Inspection

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