Did you know the safety equipment in your workplace needs to be inspected at least once a year? If you’re a building manager or fire marshal, you’re likely already familiar with these rules. But why are annual fire inspections so important? Let’s break down why and how you can set up a safety inspection in your workplace.

Check Systems that Go Overlooked

In the day to day goings on of a workplace, you are likely not checking every safety system that’s in place. While security departments might go around to do checks, some systems can often be overlooked because they are simply not used as frequently. Emergency exits, fire alarms, smoke detectors, and other safety systems are not checked often. This is why a fire inspection at least once a year ensures that these systems work and are not faulty or inactive.

The City of Surrey Fire Service walks through the process of a fire inspection:

“The initial inspection typically occurs shortly after the business licence is issued. The timing of follow-up inspections largely depends on the nature and number of deficiencies discovered at a particular site.

With the building representative present, the inspector will look over the property, identifying deficiencies and detailing them in a written report. A copy of this report is left behind at the site with instructions for correcting any deficiencies found.”

Helps You Stay Prepared

Simply put, by inspecting all of the safety precautions and systems in place beforehand, you can save lives. When you’re in the workplace, you’re probably not constantly thinking of things like health and safety. That’s why it’s up to your health and safety representatives to sort out things like emergency exits, on site AEDs, fire extinguishers, and other aspects that equip a workplace with the right safety tools. In the event of an emergency, they can be life-saving aids, and fire inspections keep you prepared.

The Office of the Fire Commissioner in British Columbia has an extensive document for fire safety training. Here’s an important note on why fire inspections are so important:

“The end result of a fire prevention inspection should:

• provide a record of the findings and actions required as a result of the inspections;

• produce a property that is safer because the inspection was conducted; and,

• inspire an improved attitude towards fire prevention by management and employees.”

How to Set Up a Fire Safety Inspection

Whether you’re a workplace, residential building or home, there are services available for fire inspections. Simply find the fire inspection service that works best for your building’s needs, and request a quote to schedule the inspection.

The inspector will come to the site with a checklist and what to look for. If you want to ensure that all of your safety systems and equipment are in place beforehand, do a once-around the building. Check to see the expiration date on the fire extinguishers and if emergency lights are working, among other things. The more you have prepared beforehand, the better you can communicate with the inspector on your building’s needs.

Here’s our promise for inspecting fire extinguishers in industrial buildings:

Our industrial Fire-Alert professionals across Canada provide complete fire extinguisher solutions. Our fire extinguisher services can address all of your specific fire hazard needs. We will ensure municipal, provincial, and federal compliance to your industrial needs. It is vital that powder used in some extinguishers is disposed of through certified agencies to prevent environmental contamination. We are committed to assisting our industrial and commercial customers to reduce the impact of meeting these legal requirements and make them as painless as possible.

 

If you’re interested in learning more, we offer industrial and residential services, fire extinguisher inspections, or you can contact us using our contact form.