Vacations; is the traveling public safe? What types of hazards loom behind the hidden areas? Are you safe when you are on vacation this year? How well has the fire departments inspected the following to make sure that all fire codes are adhered too at the local levels, state level and federal levels? Each state has varying levels of building codes. Most fire departments will use one of the following codes for building: • Southern Building Code Alliance • Building s Code Administration • National Fire Protection Administration (NFPA 101, and many other specific codes) • Know your local and state building codes that pertain to FIRE PROTECTION These are merely suggested safety building codes to make sure that structures are made for safety in mind of all occupants for life, health and safety. But I ask why there are some departments that overlook simple hazards? Maybe they are in a hurry? Maybe they got distracted by a question being asked? Maybe they had to respond to a call? Whatever the reason you should always go back and recheck to make sure that there is NO UNDERLYING HAZZARDS that may loom that could come back to haunt you and your staff. Having gone thru the Commercial Building Inspection course thru the NFPA and the University of Missouri, Fire Rescue Training Institute has made me more aware of lurking hazards. So I ask you and your department just how well they investigate/do commercial building inspections. Does the inspector really look at the building thoroughly or just give it a quick over? Are the inspectors equipped with a ladder to raise the drop ceiling tiles too look for extension cords that may be hidden up there? Do they carry flashlights to check in dark areas, behind, above, below hot water heaters? Are they checking the flue areas of the duct systems of commercial kitchens to ensure that there is not a buildup of grease in the flue duct? Are the inspectors carrying a stick/probe to ensure that the emergency escape lights are working? Are the Inspectors contacting the alarm company to ensure that pull stations and the alarm system is working properly? Are they inspectors checking the stand pipes for cap and make sure that the stand pipe connections are not blocked? Are the inspectors checking the PIV valve to ensure that the PIV is in the OPEN Position? Are the inspectors checking each and every Hotel/Motel Room to ensure that there is no use of extension cords? Is the Hotel/Motel equipped with GFCI outlets and follow the NEC codes with electrical outlets and use near water? Are the inspectors checking the Hotel/Motel Sprinkler Rooms for hidden dangers? Are the inspectors checking the Hotel/Motel to ensure that storage of flammable liquids and pool chemicals are stored correctly and properly marked? Are the Inspectors checking to ensure that all flammable storage is in the approved flammable storage locker? Are the inspectors checking to ensure that the KNOX LOCK BOX are installed correctly with the proper key in the box and marked to ease of access for all Emergency Responding crews? Are the Inspectors checking to ensure that all emergency contact information and back up emergency contact information is entered as well as alternate emergency contact information is contained within? Are the inspectors checking to ensure that all fire extinguishers are equipped, proper extinguisher for the location, filled, tagged with inspection from fire extinguisher company, proper ly marked for ease of access? Are the inspectors checking to ensure that the sprinkler are proper maintained, checked for proper pressure and no storage within the designated the allotted distance from sprinkler heads? Are the inspectors checking for improper overhead storage? The list is long and endless as what needs to be inspected. How long are the inspectors taking too do an inspection? So why as tax payers do we want to cut the safety of ourselves and others by cutting the inspection of said commercial business. And we cannot forget to include Carnivals, Theme Parks, Park Pavilions, Static Displays, Portable stages used at outdoor events, food booths at carnivals…..these also present the same types of hazards as a stick/concrete built structure! In the area of where I live see a local fire department that has an inspector that travels in a SUV style vehicle. I have seen the inspector go into a commercial structure and spend less then 30 minutes in the building doing the inspection! This is a paid Fire Building Inspector of a major Fire Protection District in the St. Louis, MO, he carried with him the following, a note book! No camera, No Ladder, No Stick to push the Emergency Light Test button to see if the battery is working and light the emergency escape lights……just the notebook to inspect a commercial truck trailer repair shop….>WOW is all I can say< ! I have been out of active inspection for some time but when I can spot such hazards as indicated in the pictures I know he could also! I sent the Fire Chief a letter and well I have to say that is the Fire Chief must of thrown the letter away because the next year the Fire Inspector walked in ate lunch with the mechanic signed the inspection paper work and left. WOW such little time and such disregard to the workers and too his department that a commercial truck trailer repair shop can be inspected this quick and with disregard too life, safety and property! This is where I use too work and I got permission to take pictures of said building by a CEO and I instructed him that I was using it in an article for Inspection purposes……he stated that’s fine, do not show the name of business. So I’ll Post some pictures…….in less than 3 minutes I found several violations. Where is the SMOKE DETECTOR? GONE, but the inspector let this go and passed the building as being compliant with all NFPA CODES, BOCA BUILDING CODES. UNSECURE OVERHEAD STORAGE MADE OF WOOD ABOVE FLAMMIBLE OIL STORAGE (NOT PROPERLY MARKED FLAMMABLE WITH NFPA HEALTH HAZARD STICKER) NEXT TOO THIS DRUM IS AN AIR COMPRESSOR, NO FIRE EXTINGUISHER EXCEPT ACROSS THE REPAIR SHOP ABOUT 75’ AWAY. Improper Flammable Storage…stored in a non-approved storage locker……this locker is made of plastic and not metal and vented properly. Caustic Storage with paints, paint thinner, steel wool, WD40, Caulks, and other combustibles….stored in a plastic storage locker and not an approved metal flammable storage locker. Improper storage of flammable diesel fuel, not marked storage container, this container sits within 3 feet of an electrical panel. Improper placement of fire extinguisher; this is placed directly over a dump area for used motor oil. Oil pump is not the correct pump it is not marked for flammable liquid transfer. If there is a fire in this area the fire extinguisher is inoperable as you will not be able to retrieve it too use. These were noticeable within the first 3 minutes inside of the repair facility! Did the inspector do the job correctly or was he a friend of someone or just did not care and just wanted to get as many places inspected he can a day. Commercial Building Fire Inspections is not a hurry inspection it is a full in-depth full scale investigation to ensure that there will be NO fires or hazards that could hamper life, safety, health or bring you and your creditability into a court of law! How thorough are the Fire Inspectors doing their job on inspection of Static Displays, Portable Stages, Food Booths at fairs, parks, tourist sites Here are some pictures of a static display at a tourist destination. If I can see exposed wiring from about 20 feet away why could the fire inspector see it? A letter was sent to the fire department addressing this issue. Also if you look very carefully under the train display are about 6 multi outlet plug extension cord that are not intended for outdoor use with live electrical wiring going into said outlets. The above pictures are of a static display where children and adults can climb all over the display……these Electrical Wire are within reach of anyone……if they take off the cap they energize the whole static display. Yet, the fire inspector allowed this too continue……wiring is not NEC Approved for this type of use nor is there any GFI outlets……let uss look at the next picture. Wires cut from a mower….and the ends are exposed to any child and or adult. Followed the cut wires form the lawnmower and found them going to the building……not in a conduit and on a GFCI outlet……does this type of wiring meet NEC (National Electrical Codes for use outside?) Static Display spot light that lights up the train……exposed wiring. Easy for someone to be electrocuted! Is the outlet overloaded? Are these GFCI Protected Outlets? Where is the encased wire in a conduit? This is under the steam locomotive ease and access to anyone. Rain……yes it too can get too the plugs. If I can spot these within a few minutes just looking at the display I am sure the Fire Inspector and firefighters can as well see them as I! So is your department doing a complete inspection on business, static displays, park pavilions, theme parks & carnivals? The Inspection Vehicles should be equipped with a minimum of the following equipment:  FLASHLIGHT  LADDER 16’ COMBONATION FOLDING “A” FRAME STYLE  WOOD DOWEL ROD AT LEAST 1” IN DIAMETER TOO USE TOO CHECK EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND SMOKE DETECTORS WHEN STANDING ON GROUND.  INSPECTION MIRROR TOO CHECK FOR HIDDEN DANGERS IN, BEHIND, UNDER, OVER AND IN HIDDEN SPCES SUCH AS FLUE DUCTS, EXHAUST HOOD IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS FOR HIDDEN DANGER. MOVE DROP CEILING TILES TO CHECK FOR HIDDEN DANGERS.  CAMERA TO DOCUMENT DANGERS TO AND TAKE PHOTOS TO HELP YOU WHEN PRE-FIRE PLANNING OF COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES AND THESE CAN BE DOWN LOADED TO A LAPTOP FOR QUICK ACCESS WHILE ON FIRE GROUND IF NEEDED. THE CAMERA CAN BE A FLIP, SMALL HAND HELD STYLE THAT CAN BE CARRIED EASILY INTO AND OUT OF THE BUILDING AND FIT INTO A POCKET.  GFCI CIRCUIT TESTER  YOU MIGHT WANT TO TAKE A HAND HELD LIGHTWEIGHT MOVIE CAMERA TO HELP DOCUMENT THE FINDINGS AS WELL. THESE ARE A FEW ITEMS TOO TAKE WITH YOU ON A BUILDING INSPECTION. Finally, when you are doing your Fire Inspection at Hotel/Motel check each room for hidden dangers of plugs behind the head board and the mattress is pushed up against the light cords…..when the protective coating is broken and the light cord is plug in and the metal frame of the mattress is pushed against the broken protective sheath on the cord you have energized the bed and an electrocution hazard as well as a potential fire hazard. If I spot these few noticeable severe fire safety hazards then why has not the fire inspector done something about having the problems corrected? >Note the train and the electric cords is at the static display at DODGE CITY, KS. I have sent the fire chief a letter and a copy of the pictures….still today there has not been any corrections made and do not know if the electric lines are energized and I am not going to climb on the display until the electric cords are brought up to NEC, State and Local fire codes to ensure public safety. The wire nuts are within reach of a normal height person standing on the ground. < Be safe in the fire service and be sure to ensure public safety…..it’s your job!