A fire occurring on commercial property can be devastating to any business. If you are a commercial landlord leasing property to a business tenant, you may be wondering who is responsible for the damages if or when a fire occurs on your property.
Fire and Safety Responsibilities of a Commercial Landlord
There are some important issues related to compliance to fire safety regulations on commercial premises. The lease between the landlord and tenant should clearly explain all responsibilities of each party including installation and maintenance of fire safety equipment. Landlords of commercial property are legally obligated to:
● Install fire safety equipment in the building according to NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, state and local requirements such as the 2019 Chicago IBC
● Comply with all local government regulations regarding fire safety such as properly labeled fire exits and adequate fire escapes
● Provide insurance for public liability and building coverage
● Ensure that the property can safely be used for the purpose specified in the lease
● Smoke detectors must be installed in proper locations and in good working order at the beginning of a lease
● Building owners must ensure that tenants are aware of their responsibilities with maintaining smoke detectors like changing the batteries if noticing a low-battery signal
The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall Division of Fire Prevention conducts building inspections for compliance to NFPA 101, Life Safety Code (2015 edition). Efforts are concentrated on state-licensed group homes, daycares and educational occupancies, although all commercial properties are subject to inspection. If you have questions about your obligations as a building owner to maintain compliance to fire safety regulations, reach out to the experienced fire and life safety system experts at High Rise Security Systems.
We protect people and property every day with knowledgeable fire safety system design, UL listed fire alarm products, maintenance, testing and consultation as part of our commitment to your total safety and protection of your property.
Responsibilities of Commercial Property Tenants
Tenants of commercial properties have a responsibility to maintain fire safety equipment and to comply with all fire safety regulations related to the business. Complying with a commercial building’s fire safety policy may include:
● Participating in fire safety training drills
● Servicing equipment such as smoke alarm batteries
● Servicing fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems
Tenants should make sure that the fire safety system is in good working order prior to entering a lease. Careful attention should be paid to ensuring that:
● All fire alarm and safety equipment is installed and on the premises including fire alarms, fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, and fire blankets
● All fire safety equipment is located in proper, accessible locations
● Fire exits are noted and accessible for people with disabilities
● Building materials in walls and ceilings are made of suitable materials or are fireproof
● Certificates are available to certify that the commercial landlord has correctly and regularly serviced the fire safety equipment
Additional considerations for commercial landlords include
providing an Area of Refuge, also called an area of rescue, which provides a means for
handicapped individuals to have a safe place to wait for rescue and alert first
responders of their location. High Rise
Security Systems will make sure your building and tenants are protected with
NICET certified engineers providing CAD drawings for fire safety system design,
inspections, maintenance, repairs and monitoring 24/7/365.
HRSS is a leading provider of fire alarm and life safety system services to commercial properties in and around Chicago. Our experienced life safety system experts offer in-depth knowledge of your requirements as a commercial building owner and assistance in ensuring your compliance to all fire safety regulations. Contact us with any questions on your fire alarm responsibilities as a commercial property landlord.
This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/commercial-fire-alarms/are-commercial-landlords-responsible-for-fire-alarms/
No comments:
Post a Comment