Fire Department
Fire Safety Checklist for Inspection
Stairway Identifier:
The Arlington County Fire Department is committed to making fire safety awareness a priority of the community. Fire safety inspections are conducted to promote fire safety and reduce the level of needless destruction caused by fire. The continued existence of fire hazards may result in a fire that could cause the loss of life and property.
Typical hazards that often prevent a successful inspection are outlined here. Please review these fire safety items with your employees. Any hazards found should be corrected as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about fire safety or would like to have a speaker come to your business or organization, call Fire Prevention Division at 703-228-4644 (TTY: 703-228-4610)
- Utility Clearances: Clearance of not less than 30 inches shall be provided between all electrical service equipment and storage materials.
- General Housekeeping: Storage shall be kept to a minimum so as to not create a fire hazard or obstruct means of egress and/or building exits.
- Clearance: A minimum of 18 inches of clear space shall be maintained below all sprinkler heads. Non-sprinkled areas or buildings shall maintain a minimum of 24 inches of clear space below the ceiling.
- Fire Extinguisher: Fire extinguisher should be of the proper type/size and must be serviced once each year.
- Exit Lights: All "Exit" signs shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition and shall be clearly illuminated at all times the building is occupied.
- Exit Aisles: Aisle space width shall e 36 inches when serving up to 50 persons and 44 inches when serving 50 persons or more.
- Exit Corridors: Space width shall be 44 inches.
- Exit Doors: Exit doors shall be maintained in operable condition at all times. It shall be unlawful to block open any interior egress or fire door which is required to be self closing.
- Means of Egress and Emergency Lighting: Means of egress and emergency lighting shall be provided and maintained in operable condition.
- Capacity Certificate: Meeting rooms and other places of assembly shall post an occupancy certificate approved by the Fire Prevention Division.
- Extension Cords: Extension cords shall not be used as a substitute for permanent electrical wiring. The use of a multi-plug adaptor, such as cube adaptor, unfused plug strips or other similar device shall be prohibited.
