Self- Inspection Checklist

Building Exterior

General items to take a look at on the outside of your building.
  • A minimum of three feet of clearance must be maintained around fire hydrants.
  • Address numbers are visible from the street, minimum of four inches high with a contrasting background.
  • Dumpsters or trash containers must be a minimum of five feet from the building opening or roof overhangs.
  • Fire lanes and access roads are clear and unobstructed.
  • If the building is equipped with a fire sprinkler or standpipe system, there should be no obstructions, with a clear space of at least three feet around connections.
  • Up-to-date keys within the Knox Box.

Building Interior

Take a look at these items inside of your building.
  • Aisles and stairways free of storage and obstructions. 
  • All exit doors free of obstructions and unlocked during business hours.
  • Clearance is maintained from combustible storage and ignition sources such as heaters and light fixtures.
  • Each floor has one fire extinguisher for every 3,000 square feet.
  • Exit signs and emergency lights are operational with primary and emergency power supplies.
  • Extension cords cannot be used in place of permanent wiring.
  • Fire doors are not blocked open and are self-closing and self-latching. 
  • Fire extinguishers are visible and easily accessible.
  • Fire extinguishers have been inspected and tagged by a licensed contractor within the past 12 months.
  • Fire walls are maintained in good condition and free of holes.
  • Maintain storage two feet from the ceiling.
  • Signs identifying rooms containing fire protection equipment are installed.
  • Thirty inches of clear space in front of all electrical panels.

Special Systems

If you have fire sprinkler or alarm systems installed, take a look at these items.
  • Fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems are inspected annually by a licensed contractor.
  • Kitchen fire suppression systems are inspected every six months by a licensed contractor.
  • Access to all fire protection equipment is unobstructed.
  • Storage is maintained eighteen inches below sprinkler head deflectors.
  • Sprinkler heads are free of paint, lint and any other debris.
  • Smoke alarms are inspected and tested as required by the manufacturer.