Preparing For a Fire & Life Safety Inspection

There are many things that companies can do to prepare for a fire safety inspection and being a business owner in Chicago requires a regular commitment to maintaining fire safety.  Knowing what to look for in your building and on your property to pass a fire safety inspection will help business owners to maintain code compliance.  When a fire safety inspector visits your property to conduct an inspection, make sure that you are prepared.

How to Prepare for Fire Safety Inspection

Maintain fire alarm protection systems

Maintaining your entire fire alarm protection system is critical to passing a fire safety inspection. The inspection will include making sure all systems are in working order including smoke alarms, sprinklers, visual and audible notification equipment, and communication systems. HRSS provides commercial fire alarm system inspection and testing services to ensure code compliance.

Certify portable fire extinguishers

All portable fire extinguishers will be inspected during a fire safety inspection. Every property owner must have the right type of fire extinguishers on-site and it is the responsibility of the business owner to know the type of extinguisher needed for their material and property. Extinguishers must be certified and operational and in proper working order. Faulty or expired fire extinguishers are a sure way to fail an inspection. HRSS is licensed to provide fire alarm extinguisher services in Illinois and can help you to ensure you have the right type of extinguisher in the right location.

Emergency exits and lighting

Every commercial building in Chicago must provide the right type of emergency lighting and exits in case of fire as required by their building type and code regulations. HRSS offers extensive knowledge of all code requirements for emergency exits and lighting including where and when strobes are needed. We go above and beyond code compliance to ensure that your notification and evacuation system is functioning properly and designed to save lives. Some exits require a lighted exit sign, and all exits must be clearly marked for safe evacuation in case of a fire.

Clear Access and Sightlines

The outside of your building must also allow for easy access and clear sightlines for emergency responders. The fire department must be able to clearly see your address and recognize your building. Fire hydrants must be accessible on the property and clear from debris.  Make sure that landscaping or bushes have not grown up and blocked a fire hydrant that a department will need quick and easy access to when extinguishing a fire.

These are a few key areas that business owners must maintain on a regular basis to pass a fire safety inspection. Be sure to have an assigned individual responsible for ensuring the upkeep and maintenance of building safety and fire alarm equipment.

HRSS is leading fire alarm and safety consultant, providing complete services including commercial fire alarm system equipment. We help business owners to maintain complete code compliance with fire alarm system inspections, testing, maintenance, and repairs. Contact us to learn more and passing a commercial fire safety inspection in Chicago. 

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

 

 

 

Illinois Fire Prevention and Building Safety Code Compliance

 

The Division of Fire Prevention and Building Safety, as part of the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, is the division that is responsible for conducting inspections of buildings for compliance to NFPA 101, Life Safety Code.  The division focuses on inspecting educational occupancies, state licensed day cares and group homes as well as above ground tanks of combustible and flammable liquids.  This division of the state fire marshal is also responsible for inspecting hotel and motel occupancies.

Several acts are enforced by the Division of Fire Prevention and Building Safety such as the Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Act, Employee Regulation Act, Furniture Fire Safety Act, Pyrotechnic Operator and Distributor Licensing Act and more.  The Division of Fire Prevention also inspects all exhibits and buildings at Illinois state fairs and all county fairs.

Illinois Fire Safety Consultant for Compliance Including Chicago Codes

 Businesses can prepare for inspections by the Illinois State Fire Marshal by working with a reputable fire and life safety system provider with experience in Illinois fire safety codes.  HRSS is a leading fire safety provider with decades of experience in Illinois fire prevention and building safety codes including the city of Chicago Construction Codes.

The Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) updates life safety code changes periodically with a recent change affecting providers of services to individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Changes adopted in the 2015 edition of NFPA 101, Life Safety code took effect January 1^st, 2020.  Some of the major changes include new options for door locks where residents have a clinical need and changes to both existing and new building sprinkler requirements. 

HRSS can help you decipher the applicable code regulations affecting your building, occupancy, and business operations. Our team of fire safety specialists ensure that you are compliant with all applicable code regulations including the City of Chicago and State of Illinois building and safety codes. We go above code compliance to design the fire and life safety system that provides maximum fire detection and notification customized to your type of building and business.  We provide fire safety inspections to ensure reliable working order of all fire alarm equipment and to help you identify any fire hazards in your building that could pose a risk. 

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal offers answers to many frequently asked questions.  You might find some answers to questions that you have here or you can always contact HRSS for assistance.  Some questions that we see often include:

Q) Do all high rise buildings in Illinois need to be protected by automatic sprinklers?

The answer is not necessarily.  HRSS can help you understand the Life Safety Code requirements for high rise buildings in the Chicago area. The 2015 updates to the Life Safety Code are somewhat more stringent than in prior versions, although an amendment by OSFM’s adoption may permit existing high rise buildings to meet requirements from prior versions.  

Contact HRSS with any questions about requirements for sprinkler systems.

Another question that we get asked frequently is:

Q)  Does Illinois have a building code?

Illinois does have a building code and so does the city of Chicago. Additional code requirements include the International Building Code, any applicable NFPA standards from the National Fire Protection Association including NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code.

Visit the FAQ Section of Illinois State Fire Marshal for more questions and answers regarding fire safety.

Contact HRSS with any questions on applicable building codes for your property and business operations.  Our fire safety specialists are familiar with all local, state, and federal building and fire safety code regulations.  With a team of expert fire alarm system designers, we provide fire safety and security to commercial properties in and around Chicago.

HRSS is a leading fire alarm system and security company in Illinois offering fire and life safety to various commercial properties. We provide experienced consultation, inspections, testing, repairs, maintenance, and monitoring.  Contact us to learn more about fire safety code compliance for businesses in the Chicago area.

This article was originally published at: https://hrsschicago.com/fire-alarm-inspection/illinois-fire-prevention-and-building-safety-code-compliance/

 

 

Preparing for the Fire Safety Inspection

There are several things that building owners can do to prepare for a commercial fire safety inspection.  Understanding which fire and life safety codes apply to your building and location as well as communicating with your local fire department are just a couple of things to help you prepare to pass your fire inspection. Working with a reputable fire and life safety system company is another way to help prepare yourself.

Know the Fire Safety Codes and Ordinances Applicable in Your Area

Fire safety codes and ordinances will highlight the types of fire safety equipment that must be in place in your building for your location and will dictate the building requirements that must be adhered to.  Building owners must be aware of international fire and safety codes such as those detailed in the International Building Code (IBC) as well as all national fire codes issued by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  NFPA 101 is applicable to all commercial properties with varying regulations enforced on a local level. Different local jurisdictions enforce their own building codes such as the Chicago Building Code. Additional codes and regulations also apply such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Form a Relationship with Your Local Emergency Rescue and Fire Departments

Rescue teams and fire departments do their best to help civilians in emergency situations, and they benefit greatly from knowing the floorplans of your building. Fire department personnel cannot possibly know specific things about your buildings and property unless you share with them. Building owners should provide their local fire department the floorplans of their building and property layout, along with any security alarm access codes. These documents will provide emergency rescue teams with the best method of entering your building to quickly and safely respond to an emergency.

A fire and life safety consulting firm can help you with providing necessary information about your commercial building fire alarm including the fire alarm system design.  The make and model of your commercial fire alarm panel is also beneficial to communicate to emergency crews. Information that should be provided includes locations for the following:

●       Exterior windows and doors

●       All emergency exits

●       Fire alarm pull stations

●       Fire extinguishers

●       Meeting area for all personnel

Your building safety manager should have procedures in place to quickly provide an attendance list of everyone that should be present in the building at the time of emergency. 

Communicate Emergency Exit Plans to All Employees

Make sure that all emergency evacuation plans are current, posted throughout each facility and communicated to all personnel. Your egress plan should include a map of the facility with evacuation paths indicated. Occupants should have a clear visual representation of how to exit the building safely even if no fire drills have been conducted.

According to a fact sheet on Emergency Exit Routes by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), most workplaces are required to have at least 2 exit routes. More than two exit routes may be required depending on the size and layout of the building and the number of employees.  Make sure that all exit routes such as hallways are never blocked with clutter and are clear for evacuation.

Partner with an Experienced Fire and Life Safety Company

High Rise Security Systems, HRSS, is an experienced fire and life safety company providing comprehensive services to businesses in and around Chicago, IL.  We offer complete commercial fire alarm system design, testing and maintenance to help companies prepare for fire safety inspections.  Our team is vastly experienced with all applicable fire and life safety codes, helping companies to maintain compliance and pass fire safety inspections.

HRSS provides comprehensive fire and life safety services to commercial properties in and around Chicago.  We offer UL listed equipment, maintenance, testing and inspections along with fire alarm system design.  Contact us with any questions on fire safety compliance and how to prepare for a fire safety inspection.

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