Business Safety Checklist

***** IMPORTANT *****

The following information should not be construed as a complete list of any and all possible fire code violations. The intent of this list is to provide some of the most common fire code violations found in business establishments located in the City of Mesquite.

Current Code References (not all inclusive):

     City Ordinance 4802 (September 21, 2020) - Adopted current Fire code.
     
     International Fire Code® (IFC) 2018 edition with amendments from City Ordinance 4802            

​     National Fire Protection Association Standards (NFPA):
     10 - Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers 2018 edition
     17A - Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems 2017 edition
     25 - Inspection - Testing and Maintenance of Water-based Fire Protection 2017 edition
     72 - National Fire Alarm Code 2016 edition
     96 - Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Ops 2017 edition
     State of Texas Fire Marshal’s Office – Fire Alarm Rules 28 TAC §34.600

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS (BUILDING SERVICES and SYSTEMS)

     Electrical Service Room

          Clearance around electrical service (breaker panel) shall be a                                         minimum of 30"W x 36"D x 78"H. 

          Electrical panel shall have no openings (missing approved safety covers).                       

          Electrical breaker/fuse(s) shall not be taped in the on position.                                       

     Extension Cord

        Extension cords shall not be a substitute for permanent wiring.

           Extension cords shall not be affixed to structures.  

          Extension cords shall not extend through walls, ceilings, or floors.                                            

     Exposed / Damaged Wiring

          Junction Box missing approved cover.  

          Open-wire splices are prohibited.  

          Switch(es) damaged/missing approved cover.  

          Outlet missing approved cover. 

          Exposed electrical wiring.  

          Improper electrical wiring of device.  

     Multi-plug Adapter / Power Strip

          Multi-plug adapter(s) are prohibited.  

          Power strip(s) shall be grounded and be equipped with overcurrent protection.                

          Power strip shall be directly connected to an electrical outlet                                         (no piggy-backing).  

          Power strip cords shall not extend through walls, ceilings, floors, under doors,                 or under floor coverings. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCESS (FIRE SERVICE FEATURES)

     FIRE HYDRANT

          Hydrant is obstructed/hidden. 

          Hydrant has insufficient circumferential clearance (3 feet minimum).                               

     FIRE LANE

          Striping is insufficient and/or needs repainting.                                                             

          Fire Lane surface in disrepair (i.e. potholes).                                                                 

          Parking in the Fire lane.

     PREMISES IDENTIFICATION

          Address not properly posted on front and back of building (6" minimum).                         

          Address not properly posted on front and back of suite (3" minimum).                             

          Address numbers not of a contrasting color. 

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

          Overdue for Inspection (annual).  

          Pull is obstructed.  

          Battery(s) out of date (Sealed Lead-Acid - 5 years).                                                      

FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

     FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTION

          FDC cap(s) missing or damaged. 

          FDC shall remain clear of any obstructions for a minimum of 3 feet                                 (i.e. Fences, trees).

     GUAGES

          Gauges out of date (5 year replacement or calibration tested).                                      

     INSPECTION

          Overdue for Inspection (annual).  

     SPRINKLER HEADS

          Head(s) are to be free of any accumulation of paint. 

          Head(s) obstructed. 

     SYSTEM / RISER

          Access blocked/obstructed to fire sprinkler system.

          Failure to maintain Fire Sprinkler System.

          Missing/Illegible Hydraulic Nameplate. 

          System is overdue system flush (every 5 years).  

FIRE SUPPRESSION “HOOD” SYSTEM

     INSPECTION

          Pull at/near a means of egress, 10 to 20 feet from kitchen exhaust system.                     

          K-Class Extinguisher must be mounted and within 30 feet of cooking equipment.            

          Overdue for Inspection (semi-annual).  

          Manual Pull Obstructed.  

     SYSTEM

          Insufficient nozzle coverage.  

          Needs to be cleaned.  

          Nozzle blow-off caps are missing or damaged.

     VENT-A-HOOD

          Needs to be professionally cleaned. 

          Missing filters. 

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

     ACCESSIBILITY

          Hand-held extinguisher shall be installed on hanger/bracket supplied.                             

          Shall be located in conspicuous locations where they will be readily accessible.            

          Shall not be obstructed or obscured from view.

          Top of the extinguisher shall be mounted no higher than 5 feet (40 lbs or less).               

     INSPECTION

          Overdue for Inspection (annual).  

          Missing Tag. 

          Extinguisher shall be recharged after any use or as indicated by inspection.                  

          Pressure gauge reading or indicator not in operable range or position.                             

          Safety seal and tamper indicators are not broken or missing.                                         

     HYDROSTATIC TEST

          CO2 extinguisher required to be hydrostatically tested every 5 years.                           

          Dry chemical (stainless steel) is required to be hydrostatically tested                             every 12 years.  

          Wet chemical extinguisher required to be hydrostatically tested every 5 years.              

STRUCTURAL (FIRE-RESISTANCE-RATED CONSTRUCTION)

     FIRE DOORS and WALLS

          Fire Door(s) assembly improperly modified.  

          Fire Door(s) do not close and latch properly.  

          Fire Wall (Smoke Barrier) not maintained properly.  

     CEILINGS

          Improper hanging of merchandise or decoration from the ceiling.  

          Missing or damaged ceiling tiles. 

MEANS OF EGRESS

     EMERGENCY EXIT EGRESS

          EXIT cannot be concealed by curtains, drapes, decoration, or similar materials.               

          EXIT door cannot have improper locking hardware.  

          EXIT sign damaged or missing.  

          EXIT sign not illuminated properly.  

          Means of egress is blocked/obstructed.  

          No combustible storage in means of egress. 

          Emergency lighting shall be electrically powered with battery backup.                            

     EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR(S)

          Door shall be set in motion with a maximum of 30 lbs. of force. 

          Door shall swing to a full-open position with a maximum of 15 lbs. of force.                  

          EXIT door hardware shall be maintained in working condition.  

          EXIT door cannot have improper locking hardware.  

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE

     MISCELLANEOUS COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS STORAGE

          Storage of combustible materials shall be orderly. 

          Storage shall be maintained 2 feet or more below the ceiling (non-sprinkled).                 

          Storage shall be maintained 18 inches or more below the ceiling (sprinkled).                  

          Combustible materials shall not be stored in exits or exit enclosures.                            

          Combustible materials shall not be stored in boiler, mechanical, or                                 electrical rooms. 

          Storage shall not be stored/displayed beneath overhead projections                               (non-sprinkled). 

          Storage in the open shall not exceed 20 feet in height. 

          Clearance between ignition sources (heaters and combustibles) shall be                         maintained.  

          Compresses gas cylinder not properly secured by an appropriate restraint.                    



Blocked Electrical Panel
extension cord
DSC_0097
Pothole in the Fire Lane
FAS Manual Pull
Sprinkler Head
Dirty Vent-a-hood
Fire Extinguisher
damaged wall
blocked exit3
Exit sign by wires
EXIT to nowhere