Fire Safety Home Inspection

Fill out the attached checklist using information below.

Section 1 Fire Prevention

1. Furnaces and boilers
2. • Have serviced and cleaned by a reputable technician every year.
3. • Maintain a minimum of three (3') foot clearance to furnace and water heaters at all times.
4. • Install a CO detector near the heating units.
5. • Have chimneys cleaned and inspected at regular intervals.
6. Baseboard electric heat
7. • Keep clean and make sure all guards are in place.
8. • Keep drapery, storage and any other material away from the durface and interior heating coils.
9. Flammable Liquids
10. • Storage not permitted in a basement.
11. • Keep storage at an absolute minimum. One gallon is the current maximum permitted in a dwelling. SHould be in a shed or detached garage.
12. • Store in approved, labeled, sturdy containers away from any source of heat.
13. Storage of combustibles: Must be neat, in appeoved storage areas such as closets, drawers and must be away from sourced of ignition. Outside storagem such as a porch storage, can catch fire and destroy your home.
14. Electrical System
15. • All electrical panels, switches and junction boxes must have approved covers or switch plates installed; the panel box door must be kept shut.
16. • Do not overload outlets, used fused plug strips if necessary.
17. • Update old wiring systems and equipment.
18. • Do not wire yourself unless you have the proper training and certification.
19. Use of extension cords
20. • Discard old extension cords (cracked, twisted, damaged or over twenty (20) years old.
21. • Do not run through any ceiling, floor, wall or doorway.
22. • Do not run under carpets or mats etc.
23. • Must be over twelve (12') feet long except for temporary use, such as weed control.
24. • Should be visable for inspection
25. • Must not be restricted or pinched at any point.
26. • Do not push bed, sofas, cabinets against the plug.
27. Portable Heaters
28. • Kerosene heaters are only permitted in single family dwellings.
29. • Do not let heaters run unattended.
30. • Maintain three (3') feet of clearance.
31. • Check power cord and plug for damage and hot spots.
32. • Do not use heaters where combustibles could fall on it.
33. Candles
34. • Use only candles made to be burned, do not burn decorative candles with odd shapes.
35. • Do not leave candles unattended, blow out candle if you leave the area.
36. • For extra safety, place all candles in a metal pan with liquid-tight sides (such as a pic plate) and place that on an insulated surface (such as a porcelain trivet or piece of drywall).
37. • Do not burn candles near draperies or curtains or near open windows.
38. • Trim wicks to 1/4 inch before lighting.
39. • Do not burn candles with less than one (1") inch of wax remaining (except votives and tea lights).
40. Cooking
41. • Do not leave the kitchen while cooking; this remains the major cause of fires.
42. • Be very careful when heating oil, an approved deep fryer should be used when cooking with lots of oil since they have safety controls installed.
43. Matches and lighters
44. • Keep completely out of reach of children
45. • Teach children not to play with them, turn them over to an adult.
46. • Keep only the amount absolutely needed in a home with children because curious children can find most anything.
47. Spray painting
48. • Do not use spray paint inside a home.
49. Oil use: (When using linseed oil, stains or any other oil)
50. • Follow all directions for use of the product and for the disposal of rags and brushes. These liquids can cause a fire when left on rags or other combustibles. Do not launder rags. When in doubt store the materials away from dwelling in a closed metal container.
51. Smoking
52. • Smoking area must be provided with deep, non-comubustiable, non-tip ashtrays.
53. • Empty ash trays into a metal trash can unless the butts are absolutely and completely out and/or water soaked.
54. Propane Tanks
55. • Not to be stored inside any residence or garage.
56. • Only exception is for small propane bottles used for torches.

 

Section 2 Stopping the Spread of Fire

1. Maintain an approved ABC type fire extinguisher in your home. It must be mounted where it will be visible and accessible in case of fire. It should have a guage to show that the unit is properly charged.
2. Have the fire extinguisher serviced at regular intervals. Check the pressure gauge weekly.
3. Learn how to use the fire extinguisher.
4. Keep doors closed whenever possible. When leaving a burning building, close all doors on the way out.
5. Keep combustiable and storage to a minimum. Consider placing storage in an approved storage facility. Do not place storage on stairs, exit paths or block exit doors and windows.
6. If you smell smoke, see fire, smell gas or think there is a fire in your home or nearby, call 911.
7. Keep a portable phone or cell phone nearby the fire exit so that you can call after leaving the building. If it doesn't work call from a neighbors home.

Section 3 Surving a Fire

1. Install smoke detectors
2. • Inside every bedroom.
3. • On every floor level including the basement.
4. • Outside every bedroom area
5. • Read directions before installing.
6. • Consider installing a full fire alarm system.
7. Test smoke detectors montly.
8. Have a fire escape plan and practice it often
9. • Have two ways out from every room, make sure that the escape windows open.
10. • Consider bying a fire escape ladder if you are above the first floor.
11. • Close doors on the way out.
12. • Have a meeting place outside.
13. • Do not go back inside for any reason.
14. • Make sure 911 was called.
15. Make sure that you have homeowner's or renter's insurance. The property owner's policy does not insure renter losses.

Check List

Category Item OK Needs Work Furnace Safety Has been serviced 3 Foot Clearance CD Detector Flue and Chimney Conditions Baseboard Heat Clearance Condition & Safety Covers Flammable Liquids Not permitted in basement Amount Storage Practices General Conditions Electrical Hazards Open Junction Boxes Exposed Wiring Overloaded outlets Extension Cords Too many overloaded Through walls or ceilings Under carpets Portable Heaters Not recommended-check clearance for combustibles Candles Not recommended notify of proper safety procedures Cooking Practices Must not be left unattended Matches/Lighters Must be limited and out of reach of children Painting/Rags/Oils Basic safety, used oily rags must be stored outside. Smoking Ashtrays, general conditions Fire extinguishers Number Visible Proper Type (ABC) Propane Tanks Not permitted inside Smoke Detection In all bedrooms On all floor levels Basement Tested? Renter's/Homeowner's Insurance Not required but very important Fire Escape Plan Have one? Is it practiced Other Hazards List