Inspection Checklist

Building Plans and General Information

Review Life Safety Plans to confirm construction types and rated assemblies. These plans shall indicate the location of exits, individual resident rooms, and common areas.
Review any Life Safety Code (LSC) Waivers or FSES Documentation
Review any Limited Scope Permit Documentation
Discuss and review facility changes, such as construction, fire, etc.
Review the Smoking Policy.
Review the specification sheets of flame spread ratings of interior finishes for compliance.
 

Emergency Preparedness

Review a list of Key Staff for the facility.
Verify the facility has an emergency generator or admits patients/residents that may require life support equipment
Review emergency Procedures, Evacuation plans, and Fire Drill Documentation.
Review Emergency procedures for the operating room if required.
Review the facility fire plan, including fire drill records and staff interviews, to determine staff actions and responsibilities during a fire or emergency.
 

Life Safety Systems

Kitchen Hood

Review all Kitchen Hood Inspection Testing and Maintenance (ITM) documents.
Question the staff regarding the operation of any fire suppression systems in an emergency.
If needed, ensure Class K extinguishers are installed with proper signage.
 

Hazardous Areas

Inspect all hazardous areas for proper door type and, where applicable, sprinkler installation or fire separation construction.
Inspect laboratories for proper sprinkler systems, fire separation construction, door type, emergency eye wash equipment, flammable liquids and gases storage, and fume hood ventilation.
 

Fire Alarm

Inspect Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) -Any system troublelights should be noted, and the facility should be questioned and investigated.
Inspect all components associated with the fire alarm- smoke detection pull stations compliant throughout the inspection.
Review all Fire Alarm Inspection Testing and Maintenance (ITM) documents and ensure all devices are individually listed on the reports.
 

Fire Protection Systems

Review suppression systems to determine if the system provides complete or partial coverage.
Visually inspect all components and verify tags and gauges.
Confirm the connection between the sprinkler and fire alarm systems.
Review all NFPA 25 ITM documents.
 

Fire Extinguisher

Review and Check tags and ITM documentation.
Verify that the height to the top of the handle is compliant.
Verify location is compliant.
Verify size is compliant.
Verify the extinguisher is the Proper type for the area protected.
 

Egress

Review all Emergency Lighting ITM documents.
Review all Exit Lighting ITM documents.
Verify all egress doors for compliance, including access control, delayed egress, and special locking arrangement doors.
Ensure unobstructed access throughout the facility to public way
Ensure travel distances, corridor widths, and dead ends are all compliant.
Verify all exit stairs, doors, and signage for the stairs.
 

Rated Construction

Check Fire Barriers and Building Separation if fire barriers separate the buildings. If the fire barrier is badly compromised, the surveyor can consider the buildings one building and survey them as such.
Verify corridor walls are adequately constructed and maintain Fire Resistance Rating.
Review audit documentation and specification sheets for Smoke and Fire-rated Construction and penetrations.
Check floor-to-floor separations, corridor wall construction, smoke barrier construction, and construction and condition.
Check the vertical opening construction of elevators, dumbwaiters, or chutes for compliance.
Inspect smoke and fire barriers for materials, continuity, and completeness from outside wall to wall and floor above.
Check penetrations and ductwork for proper sealing and fire/smoke devices. Inspect any dampers, fire, or smoke installed in the ductwork.
Ensure that you inspect the above ceiling.
Inspect all Fire Doors for proper maintenance.
Review ITM Documentation to ensure compliance with NFPA 80.
 

Resident Rooms

For each room inspected, check the corridor door for latching, operation, and fit into the doorframe. If applicable, the door's fire rating should also be inspected.
Check the room's interior for hazards such as electrical outlets, extension cords, oxygen-in-use signs (posted where applicable), and portable space heaters.
Check wastebasket size, drapes, and cubicle curtains for flammability.
Check the location of the sprinkler head concerning the cubicle curtain and walls for obstruction or interference with the water spray pattern.
Inspect the walls and ceilings for unsealed penetrations and proper construction.
Inspect medical gas outlets.
Inspect all Life Safety Systems to ensure they are unobstructed and maintained.