Existing Commercial Inspections

Prepare for Your Fire & Life Safety Inspection 

East Grand Fire Protection District conducts routine inspections of commercial buildings to help protect employees, customers, property, and our community. Inspections identify fire hazards and check that required safety systems are maintained, and emergency exits remain usable. 

Use this checklist to prepare for your inspection and maintain fire safety throughout the year. Some items apply only to buildings with the listed equipment or systems. This checklist covers common inspection items; additional requirements may apply based on your building’s use and fire protection systems. 

Before Your Inspection 

• Update your contact information. Make sure East Grand Fire has the current name, role, email address, and phone number for the person responsible for the property. You can register you business or building on our Community Connect webpage, this business profile can provide extremely valuable information to first responders in the event of an emergency. The Community Connect program is free for you to sign up for an maintain updated information. 

• Arrange access. Have someone available who can provide access to the areas being inspected, including equipment rooms.  Section 104.3.1 of the 2021 International Fire Code allows for authorized fire department inspectors to enter businesses at reasonable times to conduct fire and life safety inspections.  

• Gather service records. Have recent inspection, testing, and maintenance reports available for your fire protection systems. 

• Review the checklist below. Address visible hazards and arrange any overdue equipment service before your inspection. 

Inspection Preparation Checklist 

1. Knox Box — Emergency Access

A Knox Box is a secure key box that allows firefighters to access your building during an emergency. 

• • Make sure the keys and access cards inside are current and work with the building’s existing locks. 
  • Keep emergency contact information up to date. 
  • Keep the box visible and accessible, including during snow season. 
  • Coordinate key or access-card updates with East Grand Fire. 

2. Means of Egress — Exit Routes

“Means of egress” refers to the route people use to leave a building safely, including hallways, exit doors, stairs, and the pathway outside. 

• • Keep exit routes clear of furniture, merchandise, deliveries, and stored items. 
  • Make sure exit doors open properly and people can leave without a key or special knowledge. 
  • Keep exterior exit paths clear of snow, ice, and other obstructions. 

3. Exit Signs & Emergency Lighting

Exit signs and emergency lights help people find their way out when normal lighting or power fails. 

• • Check that required exit signs are visible and illuminated. 
  • Make sure emergency lights function and have the required 90-minute backup power. 
  • Maintain testing records and replace failed bulbs or batteries as needed. 

4. Fire Sprinkler Systems

• • Keep the system in service and make sure its annual inspection tag is current. 
  • Keep sprinkler controls and equipment accessible. 
  • Keep sprinkler heads free of paint, damage, and objects hanging from them. 
  • Arrange repairs or overdue service through a qualified fire sprinkler contractor. 

5. Fire Hydrants & Fire Department Connections

A fire department connection, or FDC, allows firefighters to supply water to a building’s fire protection system. 

• • Maintain at least 3 feet of clearance around hydrants and FDCs year-round. 
  • Remove snow, ice, vegetation, stored materials, and other obstructions. 
  • Keep connections visible and accessible to responding firefighters. 

6. Fire Alarm Systems

• • Make sure the system is operational, monitored as required, and free of unresolved trouble signals. 
  • Keep the annual inspection tag current and have the inspection report available. 
  • Keep the alarm panel accessible. 
  • Contact your fire alarm service provider to investigate trouble signals or needed repairs. 

7. Commercial Kitchen Hood Systems — If Applicable

Commercial cooking equipment may have a hood and fire suppression system designed to control cooking fires. 

• • Keep the suppression system’s six-month inspection tag current. 
  • Keep hoods, filters, ducts, and cooking equipment free of excessive grease buildup. 
  • Keep the manual suppression-system activation device accessible. 
  • Have service and cleaning records available. 

8. Fire Extinguishers

• • Keep extinguishers visible, accessible, and mounted in their designated locations. 
  • Make sure annual service tags are current. 
  • Check for damage, missing safety pins, or pressure readings outside the indicated operating range, where a gauge is provided. 
  • Arrange service or replacement for extinguishers that have been used or are damaged. 

9. Electrical Panels

• • Maintain at least 36 inches of clear working space in front of electrical panels. 
  • Keep this space free of shelving, boxes, and other storage. 
  • Make sure circuits are clearly labeled and unused openings are properly covered. 
  • Have damaged or missing components repaired by a qualified electrician. 

10. Extension Cords

• • Use extension cords only for temporary portable equipment needs. 
  • Do not use them as a substitute for permanent wiring. 
  • Avoid running cords through doors or under rugs, where they can be damaged. 
  • If equipment regularly needs an extension cord, have a qualified electrician evaluate a permanent power solution. 

11. Mechanical Equipment

• • Keep heating and other mechanical equipment functional and in good repair. 
  • Keep equipment accessible for inspection and maintenance. 
  • Keep combustible materials away from heat-producing equipment. 
  • Address leaks, damage, or other maintenance concerns promptly. 

12. Compressed Gas Cylinders

• • Secure cylinders to prevent them from falling or being knocked over. 
  • Make sure cylinders are properly labeled. 
  • Install protective valve caps when required, including during storage or transport. 
  • Separate and identify full and empty cylinders. 

13. Fire Doors

Fire doors help slow the spread of fire and smoke. 

• • Make sure doors close and latch properly. 
  • Do not wedge or prop them open. 
  • Keep the doorway and the door’s swing clear. 
  • Arrange repairs for damaged doors, closers, or latching hardware. 

14. Fire-Resistive Walls & Ceilings

Certain walls and ceilings are designed to limit the spread of fire and smoke. 

• • Have holes, gaps, and openings around pipes, cables, or other penetrations evaluated and repaired. 
  • Repairs to fire-rated assemblies must use appropriate materials and methods; ordinary foam or patching products may not be suitable. 
  • Keep access hatches closed and in good condition. 

15. Electrical System Condition

• • Check for damaged cords, loose outlets, missing cover plates, and exposed wiring. 
  • Remove damaged electrical equipment from use. 
  • Avoid overloading outlets or connecting power strips together. 
  • Have electrical repairs completed by a qualified electrician. 

Questions About Your Building? 

Contact East Grand’s Fire Prevention Bureau if you have questions about an inspection item or which requirements apply to your property. 

Is your business a Food Truck or Trailer?

Food trucks and trailers also require annual fire department inspections. If you travel outside of the East Grand Fire Protection District, we can also provide a “Fire Marshals Association of Colorado” Food Truck Certificate of Inspection that can be used in other participating fire districts in Colorado. 

For information on food truck requirements: English or Spanish.