Preparing for your Fire Safety Inspection

Kenton Fire Department | 419-673-1235 | 225 S Main Street

Certified Safety Inspectors:

• Chief Donnelly
• Captain Brammell
• Captain Conley
• Captain Wilson
• Firefighter Boughan
• Firefighter Harmon
• Firefighter Foulk
• Firefighter Nemire
• Firefighter Warren

WE CARE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS

The Kenton Fire Department highly values your presence in the local business community.  Fires can have devastating physical and financial impacts on businesses, with statistics revealing that 40-60% of businesses affected by a major fire never reopen.

The Fire Safety Inspection Program aims to support you in creating a secure environment for both your customers and employees.  Collaboration is key to minimizing damage in case of a fire and enabling our firefighters to respond effectively and safely.  Investing in fire prevention and hazard mitigation is crucial.  Business inspections are conducted based on the type of business and available staffing.

A representative from the Kenton Fire Department will soon visit your establishment for an inspection.  For any inquiries about the checklist or the inspection process, please reach out to KFD at 419-673-1235 or via email at firechief@cityofkenton.com.

FIRE INSPECTION CHECKLIST

We have compiled a list of the most common hazards to assist you in preparing your business for a fire safety inspection.  Feel free to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your inspector.

Interior Hazards

• Do you have at least a thirty-six-inch wide path to all of your exit doors?
• Do your exit doors open freely, with little effort and are they unlocked?
• If equipped, are all fire doors able to close freely and free of hold open devices?
• If equipped, are all exit and emergency lights operating, including backup power?
• Is storage contained so that nothing capable of burning is within two feet of the ceiling?
• Do you have at least thirty-six inches of clear space around your furnace, water heater and other heat-producing appliances?
• Do you keep the area underneath exposed interior stairwells free of storage?
• Are your walls and ceiling free of holes or missing ceiling tiles?
• Do you have any compressed gas cylinders secured or chained so they can't fall over?
• Are flammable liquids identified and stored in their original container?
• Are utility shutoffs, fire alarm panels and sprinkler controls clearly labeled and easily accessible to firefighters in the case of an emergency?
• Is your maximum occupancy posted?

Electrical Hazards

• Is your business free of electrical overload, extension cords, and multi-plug adapters?
• Are all electric outlet and switch contacts covered with a safety plate?
• Is your business free of any open electric boxes, exposed wiring, or open spaces in your fuse/breaker panel?
• Do you have at least a thirty-six-inch clearance around any fuse/breaker panel?
• Is your fuse/breaker panel clearly labeled so power can be disconnected quickly in the event of an emergency?

Exterior Hazards

• Are you storing anything that could burn close to your building or under overhangs?
• If your business has a designated fire lane, are the signs and/or pain markings in good condition?
• Is your address clearly visible from the street with at least four inch contrasting numbers?
• Is there at least three feet of clear space around any fire hydrants on the property?
• Are smoking areas clearly identified and proper cigarette receptacles provided?

Fire Extinguishers

• Do you have a fire extinguisher installed so that an individual would not have to travel more than seventy-five feet to access one?
• Are all fire extinguishers within clear view and easily accessible?
• Have all fire extinguishers been inspected and tagged?

Fire Sprinkler System

Some buildings require a fire sprinkler system because of the size of the building or the type of business operation.  If you have a sprinkler system installed, be sure to check the following:

• Has the fire sprinkler system been inspected and tagged by a qualified contractor within the past year?
• Is there at least three feet of clear space around sprinkler connections and valves?
• Are spare sprinkler heads and an appropriate wrench installed in a cabinet near the sprinkler riser?
• Are sprinkler control valves chained open or maintained by a fire alarm system?
• Is the fire department connection on the outside of the building free of obstruction and are the caps in place?

Fire Alarm Systems

Some buildings require a fire alarm system because of the number of occupants or the type of business operation.  If you have a fire alarm system installed, be sure to check the following:

• Has the fire alarm system been inspected and tagged by a qualified contractor within the past year?
• Does the fire alarm system show "Trouble" or "Alarm" on the keypad or alarm panel?  If so, contact a qualified alarm contractor to restore your system.

Get in Touch

• Ohio Department of Commerce; Michelle Grago, Structural Inspector Supervisor; Building Code Compliance; 6606 Tussing Road, Reynoldsburg, OH  43068; 614-644-2223; michelle.grago@com.ohio.gov
• Ohio Department of Commerce; Tim Jewett, Structural Inspector; Building Code Compliance; 6606 Tussing Road, Reynoldsburg, OH  43068; 614-644-2223; timothy.jewett@com.ohio.gov
• Kenton Fire Department; firechief@cityofkenton.com; 419-673-1235; fax 419-674-4089; www.cityofkenton.com

For more tips: Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal Business Fire Safety Checklist