Emergency Readiness Checklist

How to use this

Walk your building with this checklist. Each "no" is a gap. Each gap is something your AHJ would cite on a surprise visit — or that your insurance carrier would flag on a renewal walk.

This isn't a quote-capture tool. It's a real checklist. Print it. Use it. We'll happily run it for free as part of a Compliance Audit if you'd rather have a technician do the walk.

1. Fire alarm

• Is the system in normal status (no trouble, no supervisory, no alarm)?
• Is the last annual inspection within the past 12 months and on file?
• Are smoke detectors less than 10 years from manufacture?
• Is the communicator path tested daily (most modern panels auto-test)?
• Is the central station monitoring account current?
• Does the system have battery capacity calculations on file?

2. Sprinkler

• Are all main drain tests within the past 12 months and recorded?
• Are all control valves locked or sealed?
• Is the fire pump churn-tested weekly (if you have a fire pump)?
• Is the annual sprinkler ITM report on file?
• Are there any visible corrosion, leaks, or pipe damage?
• Is the fire department connection (FDC) clear, signed, and capped?

3. Fire extinguishers

• Are all extinguishers tagged within the past 12 months?
• Are monthly visual inspection punches current?
• Are extinguishers in their correct location and not blocked?
• Is travel distance to nearest extinguisher within NFPA 10 limits?
• Are required Class K extinguishers present in kitchens?

4. Emergency & exit lighting

• Is the monthly 30-second test being performed and logged?
• Is the annual 90-minute discharge test on file?
• Are all exit signs lit?
• Are emergency lights covering all required egress paths?

5. Fire doors & means of egress

• Are rated fire doors closed, latched, and self-closing?
• Are door labels intact and legible?
• Is the annual NFPA 80 inspection on file?
• Is the egress path clear (no storage in corridors, stairwells, or in front of exits)?

6. Kitchen suppression (if applicable)

• Is the semiannual suppression inspection on file?
• Is hood cleaning current (frequency varies by cooking volume per NFPA 96 §11.4)?
• Are appliance positions matched to the original suppression design?
• Is the gas/electric appliance shut-off interlock functional?

7. ERCES / BDA (if applicable)

• Is the annual ERCES test current?
• Is the ERCES panel showing normal status?
• Is your building in a jurisdiction that has recently adopted IFC §510 amendments?

8. Documentation

• Is there a single binder or digital folder with all current inspection reports?
• Are insurance carrier requirements documented?
• Is the AHJ contact known and on file?

If you have more than 5 "no"s

Most buildings have more gaps than the owner expects. If the count is over five, request a free compliance audit — we'll prioritize the gaps that the AHJ would write you up for first.