Fire inspections of commercial properties are conducted to ensure compliance with the International Fire Code with a specific emphasis on life safety conditions.  All new businesses opening in the Town of Clover will be inspected.  All existing businesses are inspected annually.

The goal of the inspections is to reduce the number of deaths and injuries and the amount of property loss from fire thus enhancing the public health, safety and welfare.

The following is a list of items that are typically examined during the fire inspection:

• Fire extinguishers
• Electrical system
• Exits
• Storage areas
• Fire alarms and sprinkler systems
  
• Heat producing appliances
• Cooking appliances and exhaust hood systems.
  

In most cases, if a violation is noted during the inspection, the owner will be given time to come in to compliance prior to a re-inspection.  Failure to come in to compliance may result in a fine.

TYPICAL FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION VIOLATIONS

Fire Extinguishers

• Insufficient number of fire extinguishers
• Correction: Provide extinguishes to provide a coverage ratio of 1 extinguisher for every 75 feet of travel distance.
• Extinguisher not serviced within the last 12 months.
• Fire extinguisher not mounted or conspicuous.
• Correction: Mount extinguisher no more than 5' from the floor and make sure it is visible/conspicuous.
• Wrong type of extinguisher.
• Correction: Read the label to ensure you have the correct type. General areas require a rating of at least 2A-10BC. A Type K extinguisher would be required near cooking operations.

Electrical

• Exposed/open switches, outlets and junction boxes.
• Electrical splices made outside of a closed junction box.
• Open breaker slots in a main or distribution panel.
  
• Service or distribution panels (main or sub-panels) blocked, obstructed, or otherwise inaccessible.
• Service or distribution panels (main or sub-panels) with circuits not properly labeled.
• Overloading of circuits with power strips.
  
• Permanent use of extension cords.
• Correction: install a permanent outlet and remove the extension cord.
  

Exits

• Blocked, locked, or obstructed exits.
• Aisles blocked or obstructed.
• Correction: Remove obstructions and provide aisles equal to the width of the door.
• Improper latching devices on exit doors.
• Correction: Exit doors must be operational from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort. (No double-cylinder dead bolt locks. Use a thumb latch type door lock.)
  
• No visible exit sign.
• Exit doors shall be clearly marked and illuminated.

Storage

• Combustible materials improperly stored.
• Correction: Remove the materials or store in approved flammable material storage cabinets or rooms.
• Poor housekeeping.
  
• Correction: Accumulations of waste, combustible materials, rubbish, etc. around or within the building or at dumpsters must be removed.
• Combustible materials stored beneath stairs.
• Correction: The space must be protected by a one hour firewall.

Miscellaneous

• 911 address missing, too small, or placed where it is not visible from the street.
• Correction: Approved address numbers shall contrast with the background, be 6" high, and should be reflective.