Education Occupancy Inspection Guide – Ferndale Fire Protection District

Exterior

Address Identification

Address identification should be visible from the street, using Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters not less than 4″ high that contrast with the background.

Code: 505.1.1

Fire Lanes marked and unobstructed

The fire department must have access to the building, and especially fire hydrants.

Code: 503.3 – Marking

Fire hydrants/water supply accessible

There must not be any obstructions to the fire hydrants.

Code: 507.5.4 – Obstruction

Knox Box Present and Maintained

The fire department must have access to locked areas where there are water supply or life safety issues. A Knox Box provides a secure, on site locker for key storage. It must be visible and have the current keys.

Code: 506.1 – Where Required

Gas meter/piping protection

If gas meters and/or piping are in areas prone to impact they must be protected with barriers.

Code: 603.9 – Gas Meters

Dumpsters are away from combustible walls, openings and roof eaves.

Dumpsters are a common source of fires. It is important to keep them away from buildings so the fire does not spread.

Code: 304.3.3 – Capacity Exceeding 1.5 Cubic Yards

Combustible waste accumulation

The exterior must be kept clear of excessive combustible waste that is either a fire hazard, or presents an access issue for first responders. Combustible waste must be at least 10 feet from buildings.

Code: 304.1 – Waste Accumulation Prohibited

Interior

Decorative material does not obstruct exits or egress visibility.

In an emergency, it is important that occupants be able to find the exit, and move through it efficiently without obstruction.

Code: 1010.1 – Doors

Decorations are made from non-flammable material or maintained as flame resistant by using a flame-retardent solution or process.

It is important to keep the amount of fuel load to a minimum to prevent the spread of fire.

Code: 807.2 – Combustible Decorative Materials

Artwork and teaching materials are limited on corridor walls to 20% of wall area.

As the corridors are used as egress paths, it is important that they be kept clear of combustible materials.

Code: 1006.1 – General

Artwork and teaching materials are limited in classrooms to 50% of the wall space

To prevent the spread of fire, combustible materials should not present a path from floor to ceiling.

Code: 807.5.2.3 – Artwork in Classrooms

Exit Features/Means of Egress

Occupant load posted

The occupant load must be posted so that staff, renters, and guests know the rating is not exceeded.

Code: 1004.9 Posting of Occupant Load

Adequate aisle width

Aisles must be wide enough to allow safe egress.

Code: 1029.9 Assembly Aisles Are Required

Adequate number of exits

There must be a minimum of two exits. Depending on the building and occupancy type, more may be required.

Code: 1006.1 – General

Exits, aisles, and corridors free of obstructions

Clear exit access is essential to prevent panic or accidental falling of occupants during evacuation.

Code: 1003.3.4 – Clear Width

Stairways clear of storage

Items stored beneath stairs present a fire risk that can endanger persons using that escape route.

Code: 315.3.2 – Means of Egress

Exit doors open from inside – panic hardware over 50 occupants

Well maintained exit doors and panic hardware provide safe and easy egress from a building.

Code: 1010.1.2.1 – Direction of Swing & 1010.1.9.6 – Unlatching

Exit signs present

Exits must be marked with illuminated exit signs.

Code: 1013.1 – Where Required & 1013.3 – Illumination

Emergency lighting present and operational

In the case of a power failure, emergency lighting provides occupants with enough light to navigate and exit the building if needed.

Code: 1008.2 – Illumination Required

Exit doors unlocked during business hours.

Locked exit doors make it impossible for occupants to escape safely and quickly.

Code: 1010.2 Door Operations

Unapproved locks or latches on exit doors.

Exit doors must be free to open without delay in the event of an emergency.

Code: 1010.2.5 – Bolt Locks

Occupancy/Construction Features

Fire rated construction present and maintained

It is important to maintain the fire rated materials the building was designed and built with such as sheet rocked walls, masonry construction, fire walls, etc.

Code: 703.1 Maintaining Protection

Keep attic and scuttle covers closed, and ceiling tiles in place.

Ceilings are an integral part of the building feets fire protection. If kept in place, the ceiling will protect roof structures from premature collapse.

Code: 704.2 Opening Protectives

Remove obstructions from fire doors and maintain to operate properly.

Fire and smoke doors should not be blocked open or obstructed or fire and smoke will easily travel through the opening and cause excessive risk to life and property.

Code: 705.2 Inspection and Maintenance

Seal unapproved openings with approved material.

Flame, smoke, and hot gases can easily travel through holes and pipe chases, thus creating more damage and a hazard to occupants.

Code: 704.1 Maintaining Protection

Storage

Arrange storage in orderly manner to provide for exiting and fire department access.

Good housekeeping makes an area safer for occupants and contributes less fuel to a fire. When storage is orderly, fire fighters can get fast access to minimize fire damage.

Code: 315.3 Storage in Buildings

Reduce storage height to at least 2 feet below ceiling.

In the even of a fire, fire fighters may need to open a hole in the roof to let heat and smoke out. Storage and other obstructions will prevent rapid ventilation efforts.

Code: 315.3.1 Ceiling Clearance

Remove storage to at least 18 inches below level of sprinklers (36 inches for storage piled over 12 feet high)

Storage too close to a sprinkler will not allow the water spray to properly penetrate the fire and extinguish it.

Code: 315.3.1 Ceiling Clearance

Oily rags stored in closed metal containers. Flammable wastes separated from ignition sources.

Safety containers for oily and greasy rags are designed to prevent spontaneous ignition of their contents. Other highly flammable wastes must be separated from sources of ignition.

Code: 304.3.1 Spontaneous Ignition

Boiler, mechanical, and electrical panel rooms shall not be used for storage.

Combustible materials in these equipment rooms often get put too close to sources of heat and a fire will likely result.

Code: 315.3.3 Equipment Rooms

Post and enforce “No Smoking” signs.

“No Smoking” areas are designated because the use of smoking materials in those areas could cause a fire. Smoking is not permitted on stages or platforms.

Code: 310.3 “No Smoking” Signs

Fire Safety

The fire alarm signal is sounded not less than once every calendar month at the elementary and junior high level, and not less than twice yearly at the high school level.

It is important that students and staff have regular drills so that they know how and where to evacuate. Drills should be held at random dates and times so that they are not assumed to be drills.

Code: 403.5 – Group E Occupancies

Fire Safety plan is in accordance of Fire Code section 404.2.2

The fire safety plan includes a map of the school buildings and campus, fire extinguisher locations, sprinkler equipment locations, documentation of any known specific fire hazards, etc.

Code: 404.2.2 – Fire Safety Plans

Fire evacuation and safety plans are in accordance with Fire Code section 403.5.

Schools are required to have evacuation plans that detail procedures, evacuation routes and locations, emergency phone numbers and staff responsibilities.Code: 403.5 – Group E Occupancies

Lockdown plans (when created) are in accordance with Fire Code section 404.2.3.1

404.2.3.1 specifies 11 items a plan should include to keep students and staff safe, but still allow first responders the access they may need.
Code: 404.2.3.1 – Lockdown Plan Contents

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguisher travel distance is less than 75 feet.

All areas of the building must have a fire extinguisher within 75 feet traveling distance.

Code: 906.2 General Requirements

Portable fire extinguishers are fully charged and display a current SFM authorized service tag.

Annual maintenance will provide for properly charge and serviced extinguishing devices, and assure proper operation if needed to fight a small fire.

Code: [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §574.1] Frequency of Inspection.

Fire extinguishers meet or exceed the required rating.

Extinguishers provided need to be appropriate to the type of hazard. In most cases a rating of 2A 10BC will be appropriate.

Code: 906.3 Size and Distribution

Mount extinguishers where readily available, not more than 5 feet above floor.

Extinguishers must be easily within reach of all occupants, but not where they will be subject to damage.

Code: [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §567.6] Mounting.

Post signs indicating location where extinguishers are not readily visible.

Where extinguishers are not clearly visible, signs help occupants find the equipment in a hurry.

Code: 906.6 Unobstructed and Unobscured

Fire Alarm & Detection Systems

Provide and maintain smoke alarms/detectors in proper operating condition.

The proper installation and maintenance of smoke alarms/detectors is of the utmost importance. In the event of a fire, they will notify occupants, and, in some cases, may automatically notify the Fire Department.

Code: 907.9 – Where Required in Existing Buildings and Structures & 907.10 – Smoke Alarm Maintenance

Fire alarm system testing

Fire alarm system is tested on an annual basis. Some components such as batteries require more frequent inspection.

Code: 907.8.2 Testing

Fire Suppression Systems

FDC connection visible, caps present

The Fire Department Connection (FDC) is where our fire engine will connect to your sprinkler system in order to boost the pressure. It is important to keep this connection clear and visible, and the couplings must have caps to keep debri and critters out of the system.

Code: 912.4 Access

All valves between the water source and the sprinklers must be locked in the open position.

The water control valves must be locked so that the water supply can not be tampered with.

Code: 903.3.8.4 Supervision

Quarterly and Annual inspections are being performed and documented.

Sprinkler systems must be inspected and tested on a quarterly, annual and 5-year cycle. The quarterly and annual inspections must be documented whether they are performed by a contractor, the owner, or a property manager.