How Fire Inspections Save Lives and Boost Public Safety

Every 23 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire-related emergency in the United States. Many emergencies can be avoided by following fire codes. Municipalities, fire marshals, and inspectors routinely perform fire inspections to ensure compliance and prevent these emergencies.

This article will discuss 1) the importance of fire codes, 2) how fire inspections boost public safety, 3) the challenges fire departments face with inspections, and 4) how to conduct fire inspections more efficiently.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) creates fire safety regulations. To date, the NFPA has over 300 codes and standards. Municipalities then adopt or add to these standards.

These codes include ensuring that exits are unobstructed, fire alarms are installed and working properly, and fire extinguishers are accessible and not expired.

Complying with these regulations can save lives. To illustrate this, the U.S. Fire Administration reports that, “3 out of 5 home fire deaths are caused by fires in properties without smoke alarms or smoke alarms that failed to operate.”

Fire Inspections are conducted regularly to catch code violations before tragedy strikes. Ensuring compliance with fire codes helps communities reduce risks and improve overall safety. Here’s one example:

Fire codes require large commercial buildings to have automatic sprinkler systems, and for good reason. When buildings comply, they experience an 89% lower fire death rate and significantly less property damage. Regular fire inspections ensure these systems are functional and up to code, saving lives.

Conducting fire inspections can become a huge undertaking. The sheer volume that must be done each year presents a significant challenge. In 2012, for example, 11,120 inspections were performed in Washington, D.C.

Imagine tracking all the paperwork associated with those 11,120 inspections manually, without the help of software. Finding the required documents on a property's inspection history quickly becomes like finding a needle in a haystack.

Many departments are understaffed and burdened by a high ratio of properties to inspectors. This challenge is only made more difficult by inefficient processes that add time to tasks, from inspection to documentation to reporting.

Other challenges that arise are scheduling these inspections, coordinating everything with other departments, collecting data on-site, and staying up to date with changing fire codes.

Software like iWorQ’s Fire Inspection Software can streamline the entire process. Automated alerts help departments schedule timely inspections based on compliance status and expiration dates.

The entire inspection can be done using a tablet out in the field, updating information in real time. Pictures can be taken and uploaded during inspections to better document devices and violations.

The software also integrates fire codes that can be directly tied to inspection items. This organizes things for the inspector and increases transparency for property owners. They understand exactly why the building failed the inspection and what actions they need to take to bring their property up to code.

All information is stored and organized in the cloud without manually keeping track of paperwork. Primary contacts for a given property can easily view inspection results and make payments through an online portal.

This improved digital documentation makes coordination easier across departments. Blueprints are also stored using iWorQ’s software, so fire departments have all the information they need to respond to an emergency quickly.

To learn more about how the software works, read A Comprehensive Guide to Fire Inspection Software.

Beyond safety, fire code compliance is a wise financial investment. In 2023 alone, fire caused $23 billion in damage across the U.S., but communities that follow fire codes save $11 for every $1 invested.

Local governments can protect their citizens by prioritizing more efficient inspections and improved compliance while reducing costly fire-related damages.

Those who use iWorQ’s Fire Inspection Software can also charge inspection fees through an online portal. This new revenue stream adds to the financial benefits of investing in software for many departments.

Fire inspections are not hoops to jump through before a building or home can be occupied. They are vital services that can save lives and keep citizens safe. Failing to do so can lead to costly fines and devastating losses for cities and towns.

Investing in a fire inspection tool to streamline the whole process makes work less stressful and helps save money and lives. Click the button below to schedule your free demo of iWorQ’s Fire Inspection Software.