City of Fort Dodge, Iowa

Business Safety Checklist

Exterior Premises

• Address-identifiable
• Access-maintained
• Hydrants-3' clearance around
• Housekeeping-not an arsonist target

Egress

• Recognizable-exit signs
• Unobstructed-nothing in exit pathways obstructing required exit width
• Unlocked-all exit doors shall be unlocked during business hours, always providing ways to get out
• Illuminated-means of egress must be illuminated when building is occupied
• Combustible storage-prohibited near exits, exit enclosures, or under stairways

Electrical

• Circuit Breaker Panel Boxes-labeled breakers, proper access in front of (30" x 78")
• Electrical/Mechanical Room Housekeeping-no combustible storage allowed
• Overloaded circuits?  Recommend extra circuit or use power taps
• Extension cords-plugged into outlet or power tap directly, not piggybacked, proper size, not used as substitute for permanent wiring, serves only one portable appliance, listed for intended use
• Power Taps (Power Strips)-shall be listed, directly plugged into permanently installed receptacle, not piggybacked
• Electric Motors-maintained & clean

Fire Extinguisher

• Training-"PASS"
• Proper extinguishers
  • Low hazard-min. 2A10BC, 75' travel dist.
  • Ordinary hazard-min. 2A10BC (30'), 2A20BC (50')
  • Extra hazard-min. 4A40BC (30'), 4A80BC (50')  
  • Type K in commercial kitchens-within 30' of heat producing equipment
• Proper locations-near exit doors where possible, not exceeding maximum travel distance, properly mounted (max. 5' high if <40 lbs., max 3 ½' if >40 lbs.  In all cases, min. 4" above ground)
• Proper maintenance-annual service required, six year service collar on extinguishers requiring a 12 year hydrostatic test

Fire/Smoke Separations

• Properly maintained-self closing doors not propped open, smoke and fire doors able to fully close upon activation

Flammable Storage

• Liquid storage indoors-> 10 gallons must be stored in liquid storage cabinet(s)
• Retail Class 1 liquids-max. total 30 gal. unsprinklered building, 60 gal. sprinklered building; max. height 6' on metal shelves or 4' 6" on pallets, piles or racks; max. metal container size=5 gal.;   no combustibles stored above.  

Heat Sources

• Ignition sources-prohibited near fumes, clearance to combustibles to be maintained
• Portable Heaters-tip over and high temperature limiting features required and 3' clearance to combustibles

Combustible Materials/Storage

• Combustible indoor storage-to be orderly, 2' from ceiling (unsprinklered), 18" or more below sprinkler heads
• Combustible outdoor storage- dumpsters min. 5' from buildings, 10' from property lines
• Decorations-to be non-flammable or treated flame resistant

Fire Protection/Detection Maintenance

• Sprinkler system-annual service
• Alarm system-annual service
• Kitchen hood suppression system-6 mos. Service
• Standpipe systems-every 5 years

Special Occupancy Requirements

• Consult Fire Department