Annual Life Safety / Fire Code Inspections
All buildings within the Town of Woodbury, with the exception of single and two-family homes, are required to be inspected by the Fire Marshal or her designee as described in the Connecticut General Statutes. The Fire Marshal's Office also conducts inspections of new commercial construction to ensure compliance with the Fire Safety Code.
The Woodbury Fire Marshal's Office, although not required by CGS, sends out a letter to each property owner with the date and time of their schedule inspection. When you receive your letter if the date or time is not convenient for you - please call the office and speak with Robin. The office is more than happy to re-schedule your inspection on a date and time that is best for you.
The inspection process is easy if you are prepared. The letter has a check list enclosed with the required documents that the inspector will need to review to make your inspection start off on the right foot.
As each occupancy is different and there are occupancy specific codes the list below is a basic overview of what the inspector will be looking at. If you want to be prepared for your inspection, follow these simple suggestions.
- Availability
o When the Fire Marshal’s Office arrives for inspection we request that you have someone meet us who has knowledge of the structure(s), along with the keys and or codes to access every area of the building.
- Emergency Signs and Lights
o Emergency lights and exit signs should be tested monthly for not less than 30 seconds. A record of this monthly test needs to be maintained.
o An annual test of the emergency lights shall be performed for not less than 90 minutes, and a record of this test shall be maintained.
o The test records should describe any problems noticed during both the annual and monthly inspection.
o Make sure the exit signs are hung properly. If needed, check the arrows to be sure they point toward the exit.
o Emergency lights should be properly aimed so that the floor area is illuminated.
- Fire Extinguishers
o The annual inspection tag has been updated within the past year.
o On the reverse side of the tag a grid is available for the monthly inspection. The monthly inspection should be completed by the occupant, contain the date and the initials of the person performing the inspection.
o During the monthly fire extinguisher inspection- Make sure the gauge is within the green area and indicating it is charged. Inspect the hose to make sure it is attached and not cracked. Make sure the pull pin on the handle is in place and secured by the safety plastic.
o Make sure that fire extinguishers weighing less than 40 lbs are mounted at least 4 inches above the finished floor and not more than 5 feet above the finished floor. Fire extinguishers 40 lbs and over shall not be installed more than 3½ feet above the floor.
- Alarm Systems
o Check pull stations to make sure they are clearly visible, within five feet of the exit, and easily accessible.
o Have the alarm company’s annual inspection record available, and fix any problems noted.
- Smoke Detectors
o Single-station smoke alarms should be in working order and have new batteries.
o Replace smoke detectors older than ten years of age.
- Electrical
o Check electrical panels to make sure each circuit is properly labeled. Blank spots should be labeled as “blank.” Spots with a spare circuit should be labeled as “spare.”
o There should be no storage in front of, or besides, electrical panels.
o Open spots should be covered with an approved cover (not tape).
o Check all outlets, switches, and electrical boxes to make sure they are properly covered.
o Exposed electrical wires shall either be removed, certified and tagged as “dead,” or placed into a junction box.
o Extension cords may not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring. Extension cords may not be permanently mounted, run through walls, windows, or under floors.
o Check the back of power strips for the word “temporary.” Any power strip with the word temporary on it needs to be removed and replaced with a U.L. listed power strip that does not have the word “temporary.”
o Power strips shall only be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Extension cords may not be plugged into power strips.
- Sprinkler System
o Have the sprinkler company’s annual inspection record available, and fix any problems noted.
o Storage should be lower than 18 inches from the bottom of the sprinkler head.
o There should be nothing hanging from any sprinkler system components.
- Kitchen Hood Systems
o Have the cleaning company’s inspection record available, and fix any problems noted.
o The cleaning company should affix their label to the hood with the date cleaned, and the date of the next scheduled cleaning.
o When cleaned, the hood system needs to be cleaned from top to bottom to bare metal; there can be no grease within the system after cleaning. Please note: It may be a good idea to observe the cleaning company. We have found that some only clean the most visible areas instead of the entire system.
o If there is a suppression system, have its inspection record available, and have any noted problems fixed. The suppression system should be inspected annually.
o If you cook with vegetable or animal fats/oils a class “K” fire extinguisher is also required in the kitchen.
- Exits
o There may be no storage in exiting paths of travel.
o Exits may not be blocked and exits may not have keyed locks from the inside.
o Be sure doors open, close and latch with ease.
- Storage
o For Business, Multi-Family Residential, and Assembly occupancies, any combustible storage areas in the basement of the building shall be 1-hour fire rated, or you may choose to remove the storage.
- NOTE: There are exceptions to this and different types of structures not previously listed that may or may not need this rating.
o There shall be no storage of flammable liquids or gasses below the previously listed types of buildings.
o There shall be no storage of flammable liquids or gasses inside any occupancy unless it is within a rated cabinet or room.
If you have any questions or concerns prior to, or after, your inspection please feel free to contact the Fire Marshal’s Office for assistance