Fire Alarms and Sprinklers

• Fire alarms and sprinklers are required in commercial buildings. They must be serviced, tested and inspected by qualified technicians. The number and placement of these systems are regulated under the fire code. Residential buildings must be equipped with workable smoke alarms or detectors placed in locations throughout the home as specified in the code. Generally, smoke alarms are installed in each bedroom, outside the bedrooms and throughout the livable area. The inspector verifies the location and tests each alarm.
  
  

Fire Extinguishers

• The fire inspector must check and examine fire extinguishers, which are required in commercial buildings and used in some homes. Each extinguisher has a date of service for a yearly inspection. The fire code determines the placement and number of extinguishers required for each building. All extinguishers must be free from obstruction and in a visible location.
  
  

Exit Doors and Lights

• The fire code emphasizes ease of ingress and egress. The fire inspector must ensure that occupants can safely enter and exit all buildings. Exit doors, including fire doors, are inspected for access and must be free from obstruction; doors cannot be blocked. In commercial buildings, exit lights must be properly labeled, lit with an electrical supply and placed above the door. Businesses must keep all exit doors open during business hours.
  
  

Address Numbers

• All buildings must display the street address number in clear view on the building's street front. Some state and local jurisdictions determine the color, size and placement of the numbers and letters. Emergency vehicles need to be able to immediately identify all buildings to avoid delays in response times.
  
  

Electrical

• Fire inspectors check electrical components for working conditions. Wiring, outlets, cords and cables are inspected for overloaded use and exposed wiring. Temporary events, such as carnivals and swap meets, must meet the fire inspector's standards for electrical compliance and take all corrective measures prior to the event.
  
  

Miscellaneous Inspections

• Code compliance for fire prevention has other safety concerns that are routinely monitored. These include hazardous materials, combustible materials, fire lanes, Knox boxes, fireworks, trash dumpsters, occupancy rate and overcrowding. The inspector checks that the handling, storage and location of certain materials meet guidelines set out in the fire code.