Wadesboro Fire Department ... Violations

Common Violations

The following items are the typical violations located by fire inspectors during routine fire inspections of buildings.  In bold is a summary of the code violation and below that are the actions on how to correct the violation.  At right, you will find examples of common violations.


Maintain Access & Clearance to Fire-Safety Equipment
•  Maintain 30 inches of clearance around all electrical panels, furnace units and water heaters.
•  Maintain 36 inches of clearance around sprinkler risers.

Change of Occupancy / New Business
•  A fire inspection must be performed when there is a change of occupancy.
•  Contact the Fire Marshal’s Office to schedule a fire inspection prior to opening a new business.

Exit & Emergency Lighting
•  Emergency lighting must come on if the power goes out, and be able to last 90 minutes.
•  Exit lights must be illuminated and visible from all directions.
•  Perform annual testing of all Emergency and Exit lighting, and maintain paper work for inspectors to review.
•  Test lights monthly to ensure they are in working order. Replace batteries and bulbs as needed.

Electrical Items, Extension Cords-Use Surge Protectors as a Replacement
•  Extension cords may not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring.
•  Extension cords should not be secured to a floor or placed under rugs.
•  General Electrical - No Electrical wiring in a junction box can be exposed
•  Surge Protectors cannot be chained together.

Fire Extinguishers
•  Fire extinguishers must be placed in locations where they are visible and available for immediate use.
•  Fire extinguishers must be serviced annually.
•  Fire extinguishers weighing less than 40 pounds must be mounted no higher than 60 inches (5 feet) above the floor.
•  Fire extinguishers weighing more than 40 pounds must be mounted no higher than 42 inches (3 ½ feet) above the floor.
•  Maintain 36 inches of clearance around all fire extinguishers.
•  Check the yellow pages or Internet for listings of companies certified to perform fire extinguisher services.

Fire Safety Equipment
•  Fire alarm systems must be tested annually.
•  Fire sprinkler systems must be tested annually.
•  Fire suppression hoods must be tested every 6 months.

General fire hazards
•  It is not permissible to have unapproved portable electric space heaters.
•  Maintain 24 inches clearance from all ceilings, (18 inches if sprinklered).
•  Multi-plug adapters are not allowed.
•  Overloaded electrical sockets.
•  Use only UL listed surge protectors.

Locked & Blocked Exits
•  Exits must remain unlocked and unblocked at all times.

Physical Address
•  Addresses must be posted in numbers at least four inches tall and placed in a location that is visible from the street facing the front of the building.

Fire Extinguisher Training

Fire Extinguisher Training