Emergency Exit Light

These Fire Code Violations Could Cost Your Business

Fire prevention isn’t just a good idea. It’s a way to ensure compliance and keep your business—and your budget—from going up in flames. A single overlooked violation could put lives at risk and cost your business thousands in fines and damages.

This National Fire Prevention Month, let’s review nine common fire code violations and how to address them before they spread into a costlier issue.

#1: No Fire Plan
More than a formality, a fire safety plan is a blueprint for keeping your business and your employees safe. Without a sufficient one, you risk confusion and chaos in an emergency.

Solution: Create a clear, up-to-date fire safety plan and practice regular drills so everyone knows their role when it’s time to evacuate. The fire safety experts at Silco can help you develop a custom fire protection plan. We also offer hands-on training that simulates actual fire situations, empowering your team to navigate high-stress situations calmly and confidently.

#2: Faulty Fire Alarms
Fire alarms are often the first alert that danger is near, giving your building’s occupants precious time to react and evacuate.

Solution: Regularly test batteries, check alarm sensitivity, and ensure the entire system is in sound working order. Silco can inspect, service, and monitor virtually all brands of fire alarm systems, including many proprietary brand systems.

#3: Obstructed Exits
In an emergency, every second counts. Blocked exits can turn a quick escape into a costly delay.

Solution: Make sure doors aren’t obstructed by things like storage shelves, furniture, or construction materials. Conduct regular walkthroughs and routine checks to help clear the path and keep you compliant.

#4: Malfunctioning Emergency Exit Lighting
Emergency exit lights help guide people inside a building to safety during a fire emergency. Lighting that doesn’t work properly can lead to panic, which may result in injuries or even loss of life.

Solution: Regularly test and maintain emergency lighting. Schedule monthly and annual inspections of your facility. Silco can inspect your emergency exit lights to ensure they are functioning properly and up to code.

#5: Insufficient Fire Extinguishers
Having too few fire extinguishers is a serious code breach. Having ones that don’t work properly can lead to a false sense of security and devastating consequences.

Solution: Ensure there are enough fire extinguishers in your building and that they are properly maintained.

Key Tip: Silco can assist in making sure your fire extinguishers are up to code with yearly inspections and maintenance.

#6: Ignoring Electrical Risks
Plugging in too many devices into electrical outlets and using damaged extension cords are serious fire hazards. Electrical risks can also be one of the most overlooked fire hazards, especially in office environments.

Solution: Avoid overloading outlets, and never use damaged extension cords. Remember, extension cords are intended to be for temporary use, not powering high-wattage appliances.

#7: Overlooked Fire Sprinklers
Fire sprinklers that don’t work or are blocked by storage or debris won’t activate when you need them most.

Solution: Ensure sprinkler heads are not blocked and regularly inspect and maintain the systems. Also, be sure that nothing is hanging from sprinkler systems.  Since parts of sprinkler systems are often overlooked, your Silco technician can help determine what needs to be inspected and when.

#8: Improper Storage of Flammable Materials
If your business deals with flammable materials, proper storage is essential.

Solution: Store flammable materials in well-ventilated, secure areas designed to contain potential hazards.

#9: Inadequate Fire Separations
Fire separations—walls and doors built to contain fires—play a critical role in slowing down blazes.

Solution: Regularly inspect these barriers for cracks, gaps, or damage to keep the flames contained.

Partner with Silco for Reliable Fire Safety Solutions
Don’t let your business get burned by fire code violations. To support your emergency readiness, Silco offers:

Reach out to Silco today to learn more or schedule a site visit. Your safety is our priority.