Fire Alarm Inspection Requirement In Chicago

 

*This article was published on 8/5/2016  and updated on  12/15/2021

Business owners, contractors, developers, and builders operating in the city of Chicago will be subjected to a fire safety inspection at different times for various reasons. The four most common types of commercial fire safety inspections in Chicago include:

●       Permits - safety inspections required to receive a permit

●       Quarterly / Annually - regular inspections required to maintain status

●       Business License - inspections required to obtain a new license

●       Complaints - inspections initiated by a complaint

Before starting a business In Chicago, applying for a business license or a loan, owners and operators must ensure that the property intended to conduct business is properly zoned. Appropriate zoning must comply with the Chicago Municipal Code which is frequently updated. You can find links to the Chicago Municipal Code and learn more about passing your fire safety inspection in Chicago including Inspections, Permitting, and Licensing from the city of Chicago programs and initiatives.

Both new and existing businesses in Chicago should be aware of the most common reasons for failing an inspection and speak with an experienced and reputable fire and life safety system provider with knowledge of Chicago Building Code requirements.

 Commercial properties in the city of Chicago, Illinois, must adhere to all building code regulations, including all fire alarm and life safety code requirements. Many local, state, and federal building and safety code regulations apply such as:

●       National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, Standards

●       The International Building Code

●       The Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA

●       In the Chicago Building Code, CBC

The Chicago Building Code was recently updated with new requirements that went into effect on August 1st of 2020.  Here is some information that highlights some of the most recent changes detailed in 2019 Chicago Building Code: What You Need to Know.

Chicago Fire Prevention Bureau Offices

The city of Chicago Fire Prevention Bureau utilizes specialized services that respond to various business needs including compliance with Chicago’s Municipal Code and fire safety inspections. For example, some of the specialized offices include:

School section - the inspectors in the School Section inspect all schools in the city of Chicago annually. In addition to annual inspections, every elementary and high school should conduct a formal fire drill every month that school is in session. Fire drills for elementary schools are conducted by fire companies while fire drills at high schools are to be conducted by a School Section Inspector. Colleges in Chicago should receive a monthly walk-through inspection, instead of a formal fire drill, which are performed randomly in colleges at least twice per year.

Hotels - all hotels in the city of Chicago must comply with the Chicago fire prevention Bureau Hotel / SRO (single room occupancy) Section Inspectors. All hotels and SROs must be inspected annually with monthly walk-through inspections to ensure that all fire safety procedures are in place.

Institutions - each institution such as hospitals, nursing homes, daycare centers, correctional facilities and shelters must have annual inspections with a monthly walk-through inspection.

The Chicago Fire Prevention Bureau Offices includes the section inspectors and many others including inspectors for licensing, new construction, places of public assembly, and more. Speak with your trusted Chicago fire and life safety provider, HRSS, for more information and maintaining compliance and to ensure that your business passes all required inspections.

HRSS Offers Commercial Fire Alarm Inspections in Chicago

High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, is your leading, trusted fire alarm and safety system provider to commercial properties in and around Chicago. We offer decades of experience and in-depth knowledge of all fire safety code requirements including local Chicago building code regulations as well as national requirements. We offer in-depth knowledge of NFPA 72 which is included in the most recent Chicago building code, as well as NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and others. Our experienced team helps you to understand the regulations applying to your business and property to ensure total compliance and pass all fire alarm safety inspections.

HRSS provides commercial fire alarm system design, UL listed equipment, fire alarm testing, maintenance, inspections and more. We offer knowledgeable fire and security integration consultation to design your fire safety system with the most beneficial and cost-efficient solution. Contact us to learn more and to ensure that you meet all commercial fire alarm inspection requirements in Chicago.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-inspection/fire-alarm-inspection-requirement-chicago/

 

 

Preparing for A Fire Inspection

 

Commercial properties must be prepared for a fire inspection at all times, to provide a safe environment and to maintain code compliant fire and life safety systems.  Preparing for a fire inspection is an ongoing process as business and property safety managers should always be prepared to protect occupants and property from the consequences of fire. 

According to the National Fire Protection Association, (NFPA), there are an average of 3,340 office property fires every year resulting in 44 injuries and 4 civilian deaths each year.  Not only can a commercial property fire be deadly, but they are very costly as well causing an estimated $112 million annually in direct property damage.

Prepare for Fire Inspections with Code Compliance

Each state adopts their own fire and life safety code regulations with 42 states and the District of Columbia adopting the International Fire Code.  See these maps of states and adopted building and safety code regulations.  Businesses in each state are responsible for knowing the building and fire safety codes, ordinances and regulations they must meet and how to stay in compliance. These regulations such as NFPA standards, the International Building Code, (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), and other government requirements such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) tell business owners exactly the requirements they must meet including types of equipment and how it should be installed.

Meeting the required fire safety requirements provides an increased level of safety to business owners, their workers and occupants.  Some businesses may be required to have an annual fire inspection, others like high-rise buildings, hospitals, hotels or even night clubs may be required to have more frequent inspections to ensure public safety.  It can be confusing to know exactly what code regulations you are required to meet and some municipalities like the City of Chicago have their own set of building safety code regulations.

Working with an experienced fire and life safety provider will help you in preparing for a fire inspection with mock inspections, testing, repairs and maintenance along with knowing exactly what code regulations apply to your property and business operations.

What Do Fire Inspectors Look at During a Fire Inspection?

Fire marshal inspectors look at all code regulations for your property beginning with outside the structure as well as all interior building requirements.  

Maintain the Building’s Exterior for Safety

One of the first things inspectors will look at is the accessibility of your building to fire fighters. Make sure that your building is easily visible with your address marked clearly. 

Be sure that all fire hydrants on the premises are accessible and not blocked by landscaping, you should maintain an area of three-feet for clearance on all sides of a fire hydrant.  It is important to have a key available to fire department personnel if they must respond to an emergency during non-operational hours.

Prepare for an Interior Fire Inspection

There are several things to do indoors to make sure you are ready for a fire inspection.  Keeping all walkways, stairways, and aisles clear of clutter and debris is important, along with making sure your exit signs and emergency lights are in good working order. Fire extinguishers are usually the first line of defense in getting a fire under control before it turns into an uncontrollable blaze.

Make sure that all doors can be easily opened without special keys or training.  One of the most important things businesses can do is to maintain all fire extinguishers and sprinkler suppression systems.  Data shows that when sprinkler systems are activated, they are effective in putting out fires 88% of the time.  When fires occur in properties that have sprinkler systems the casualty rate is 62% less when compared to properties without sprinklers. It is important to maintain your sprinkler suppression system along with all components of your fire and life safety alarm system.

Other Considerations When Preparing for a Fire Inspection

Fire safety inspectors look at several areas when conducting a fire inspection.  A fire inspection will consist of inspectors ensuring that emergency personnel have immediate access to the building.  They will inspect all systems of egress such as lighted exit signs, exit doors and notification systems.  They will also inspect fire alarm detectors, suppression systems including fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems for good working order. Fire alarm inspectors also look at ways that fire could start in the building.

The functionality of the business must coincide with the safety plan including where materials are stored, which doors should be locked or remain unlocked, and what type of safety systems are installed.

Remember, fire inspections save lives.  While it might seem tedious to comply with all fire safety codes, working with an experienced fire and life safety system provider can alleviate a lot of burden from business owners. High Rise Security Systems is here to help you in preparing for a fire inspection with complete fire and life safety services.

HRSS provides comprehensive fire and life safety services including inspections, testing, maintenance, UL listed equipment, fire alarm system design and monitoring 24/7/365.  We ensure that your building is code compliant to all applicable regulations.  Contact us with any questions on preparing for a fire inspection.

 

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-inspection/preparing-for-a-fire-inspection/