To contact the Fire Prevention Bureau, call 303-539-6862.
Business Inspections
The purpose of the ACFR's commercial inspections is to ensure the safety of those who are employed within our jurisdiction, as well as the public who visit these businesses. The Fire Prevention Bureau and the line personnel are responsible for completing and managing approximately 2,200 commercial fire inspections with our jurisdiction annually.
To ensure the 2012 International Fire Code (IFC) is properly followed, the Life Safety Division reviews proposed projects and construction plans for compliance with the IFC. The projects must then be inspected throughout the building process to ensure that the building is following the appropriate codes and standards and that the safety of the public and the firefighters during this process are being addressed. The ongoing inspection of the buildings throughout their lifespan is continually monitored and promoted by the Fire Prevention Bureau via inspections by fire department crews and personnel within the Fire Prevention Bureau.
The Life Safety Bureau is committed to developing partnerships with builders, developers, business owners and area code officials to produce and maintain a safe built environment for our citizens, visitors, and firefighters, without unduly impeding business practices or imposing undue burdens. Seeing ourselves as partners to those we regulate allows the Bureau to be sympathetic to the costs of enforcement and open to alternate methods for achieving building safety.
To ensure the 2012 International Fire Code (IFC) is properly followed, the Life Safety Division reviews proposed projects and construction plans for compliance with the IFC. The projects must then be inspected throughout the building process to ensure that the building is following the appropriate codes and standards and that the safety of the public and the firefighters during this process are being addressed. The ongoing inspection of the buildings throughout their lifespan is continually monitored and promoted by the Fire Prevention Bureau via inspections by fire department crews and personnel within the Fire Prevention Bureau.
The Life Safety Bureau is committed to developing partnerships with builders, developers, business owners and area code officials to produce and maintain a safe built environment for our citizens, visitors, and firefighters, without unduly impeding business practices or imposing undue burdens. Seeing ourselves as partners to those we regulate allows the Bureau to be sympathetic to the costs of enforcement and open to alternate methods for achieving building safety.
Common Violations:
- Exit signs. All public exits must have a visible exit sign.
- Blocking exit doors. This is common in busy workplaces where deliveries, cages or boxes are left unattended in passageways.
- Electrical panel. These must have a working space of not less than 30" in width, 36 "in depth and 78 " in height. Where the electrical service equipment is wider than 30", the working space shall not be less than the width of the equipment. Do not place furniture, equipment or any other obstruction in access areas to electrical sources. Additionally, be sure all spaces not used by a breaker are filled with a spacer.
- Extension cords. These can only be used on a temporary basis and must not be installed for permanent use. Extension cords shall not be affixed to structures, extended through walls, ceilings or floors, or under doors or floor coverings, nor shall such cords be subject to environmental damage or physical impact. Extension cords cannot energize power strips.
- Extinguishers. All fire extinguishers in a building or place of work should be annually maintained. Even the single use of a water fire extinguisher will need replenishment. Keep the annual test tag visible on extinguisher. To prevent fire extinguishers from being moved or damaged, they should be mounted on brackets or in wall cabinets with the carrying handle placed 3-1/2 to 5 feet above the floor. Spacing is 75 feet between extinguishers.
- Fire sprinkler systems. Sprinkler systems shall be serviced and tested annually by a licensed fire protection contractor. Be sure the sprinkler control room is clearly marked, and service test tag is visible.
- Hood systems. These must be serviced and tested every six months by a licensed fire protection contractor. Be sure the service tag is attached to hood system. Hoods, grease-removal devices, fans, ducts and other appurtenances shall be cleaned at necessary intervals to prevent the accumulation of grease. Cleanings records should state the extent, time and date of cleaning. Such records shall be maintained on the premises.
- Covered electrical outlets. These must remain covered. This applies to junction boxes, circuit breaker panels and any type of outlet box.
- Address posting. New and existing buildings must have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification place in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall be Arabic numeral or alphabet letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of 4" high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5".
- Fire alarms. These systems should be inspected annually. If these systems are tied into fire panels, be sure the fire panels are clearly marked and accessible. Proof of service test needs to clearly posted on the alarm panel.
