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City of Goshen, IN

Goshen Fire Department

Pre-Inspection Checklist

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Overview

The following are typical items our inspection division will look for during inspection, code enforcement, or educational outreach.

These Items do not cover ALL possible requirements for specific occupancies. These are GUIDELINES ONLY. All local, state, and federal codes, ordinances, and rules must be followed.

Building Exterior

  • Property address signage must be plainly visible from the street, on a contrasting background, and not less than 4 inches in height.
  • Fire lanes must be properly marked and maintained to provide fire department vehicular access.

Exits / Exit Door Locks

  • Doors must not be locked or blocked during business hours.
  • Doors must be operative, or swing away / towards the outside of the building.
  • Exit doors must be operable from the inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort.

Exit Lights / Emergency Lights

  • Exit signs must be illuminated and contain 90 minutes of backup power.
  • Egress illumination shall not be less than 1 foot-candle at the walking surface and shall have 90 minutes of backup power.

Fire Extinguishers

  • Fire extinguisher gauges are “in the green”.
  • Applicable fire extinguishers, depending on the size of building and type of occupancy. (Most common is 2A,10:B,C)
  • Extinguishers must be plainly visible, with a clear path to access them.
  • Extinguishers must be inspected annually by a licensed fire extinguisher company.
  • Fire extinguishers shall be mounted properly. (Tops of extinguishers cannot be more than 5 ft. above the floor, and the bottoms of extinguishers at least 4 inches from the floor. There shall not be more than 75 ft distance from one extinguisher to another.)

Combustible Storage

  • Storage items must be at least 18 inches from the ceiling in rooms with fire sprinklers, and 24 inches from the ceiling in rooms without fire sprinklers.
  • Flammables and combustible materials must be properly stored.

Housekeeping

  • There cannot be holes of any size in walls.
  • There can be no missing or damaged ceiling tiles.
  • Pressurized cylinders must be securely anchored.
  • There should be no accumulation of empty boxes, trash, paper, lint, etc.
  • Interior finishes and decorations need to be flame retardant.

Fire Protection Systems (if applicable)

  • Fire alarm system / sprinkler system shall be inspected annually by licensed fire protection company.
  • Do not block fire department connections.
  • Fire department connections must have visible signs.
  • Sprinklered buildings must have spare sprinkler heads/wrench/ and caps by sprinkler service panel.

Electrical Hazards

  • No permanent use of extension cords.
  • Lighting devices should be installed and there shall be no defective or improper wiring.
  • GFCI outlet(s) within 6 feet of a water source.
  • All wiring shall be done by a licensed electrician.
  • Junction, Breaker boxes, light switches, and electrical outlets shall have safety covers installed.
  • Maintain 36” clearance around electrical panel.
  • Power strips must be UL listed. Power strips may not be “daisy-chained” (plugged into each other).

Cooking (if applicable)

  • Hood, vent, duct, and filters must be kept clean and free of grease accumulation.
  • Class K fire extinguisher for solid fuels, or if frying /cooking with vegetable or animal oils or fats. (No more than 30 ft. travel distance from commercial-type cooking equipment, and no closer than 10 feet.)
  • If there is no hood automatic fire extinguishing system is provided, there will be no cooking/frying at location.
The GFD patch

GOSHEN FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU INSPECTION DIVISION

SCOTT THOMAS
CHIEF FIRE INSPECTOR
[email protected]
209 N. 3rd Street
Goshen, IN 46526

574-537-3834