Fire Life Safety Inspections

INSPECTIONS
 
In accordance with the International Fire Code, throughout the year on a rotating basis the department's career firefighters conduct inspections of various existing business properties throughtout the township.  These inspections help keep the business owners, employees, customers and the general public more fire safe while also providing firefighters with a familiarization of the facility in case of a possible future emergency response to the location.

 

Preparing for a Fire Inspection

The Montgomery Township Department of Fire Services is committed to help in the safe and continuous operation of every business in the township. The inspection program assists in ensuring a fire safe environment, good public relations and a cooperative effort between the fire department and the business community within Montgomery Township.  Listed below you will find common inspection issues that can be addressed in a pro-active manner prior to any annual fire inspection.

  •      Knox Boxes
  •     Truss Placards
  •     Annual Fire Alarm Systems Maintenance Test Certification
  •    Annual Sprinkler Systems Maintenance Test Certification
  •    Annual Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Test Certification
  •     Properly operating Exit and Emergency Lights
  •     Properly maintained Exit Corridors, Exit Doors and accompanying hardware
  •   Good Housekeeping and Storage Practices
 
In regards to the Exit Lighting, Emergency Lighting and Emergency Generator systems, Owners and/or Occupants are given the OPTION to contract with a  Licensed Electrical Contractor to conduct annual testing of the following systems;
  • Emergency Lighting
  • Exit Lighting
  • Emergency Generator

This will demonstrate compliance with the following sections of the currently adopted edition of the International Fire Code.

A written report by the Licensed Electrical Contractor shall be available to the Montgomery Twp. Dept. of Fire Services.

IFC 1011.5.3 Exit signs shall be illuminated at all times. To ensure continued illumination for duration of not less than 90 minutes in case of primary power loss, the sign illumination means shall be connected to an emergency power system provided from storage batteries, unit equipment or an on-site generator. The installation of the emergency power system shall be in accordance with Chapter 27 of the International Building Code. Exception: Approved exit sign illumination means that provide continuous illumination independent of external power sources for duration of not less than 90 minutes, in case of primary power loss, are not required to be connected to an emergency electrical system.

IFC 1006.3 The power supply for means of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the premises' electrical supply. In the event of power supply failure, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas: 1. Aisles and unenclosed egress stairways in rooms and spaces that require two or more means of egress. 2. Corridors, exit enclosures and exit passageways in buildings required to have two or more exits. 3. Exterior egress components at other than their levels of exit discharge until exit discharge is accomplished for buildings required to have two or more exits. 4. Interior exit discharge elements, as permitted in Section1027.1, in buildings required to have two or more exits. 5. Exterior landings as required by Section 1008.1.6 for exit discharge doorways in buildings required to have two or more exits. The emergency power system shall provide power for duration of not less than 90 minutes and shall consist of storage batteries, unit equipment or an on-site generator. The installation of the emergency power system shall be in accordance with Chapter 27 of the International Building Code.

IFC 604.4 Emergency power systems, including all appurtenant components shall be inspected and tested under load in accordance with NFPA 110 and NFPA 111. Exception: Where the emergency power system is used for standby power or peak load shaving, such use shall be recorded and shall be allowed to be substituted for scheduled testing of the generator set, provided that appropriate records are maintained.

If you have any questions on the Life Safety Inspection Program or about fire safety at your facility, please contact the Fire Marshal at (215) 393-6936.