Existing Buildings – Fire Safety Inspections

Conducting fire inspections is a very important part of a fire fighter’s job. Through inspections, we are able to uncover many types of potential hazards to life and property. Correction of these hazards affects the lives and well being of many people - property and business owners, employees, customers and their families. It is with this in mind that we approach all inspection activities.

 The purpose of this program is to:

1. Ensure compliance with the Anne Arundel County Fire Prevention Code
2. Educate the public in ways to improve fire and life safety
3. Improve standards of building maintenance and other conditions that contribute to the start of fires or effect egress
4. Maintain life safety in buildings
5. Enforce the maintenance of fire protection equipment
6. Control special hazards due to processes and storage involving flammable and explosive materials
7. Promote public relations between the Fire Department and the public
8. Permit personnel to familiarize themselves with conditions in buildings to enable them to fight fires more effectively and safely, and gain knowledge in ways to prevent fires

Since its inception in the early 1980’s the department’s In-Service Inspection program has expanded to include the inspection by your local Fire Station personnel in conjunction with Fire Marshal Division personnel, of an average 2,000+ commercial/business properties per year, with the detection and correction of over 4,000 fire and life safety code violations.

All occupancies are subject to fire safety inspections except for single-family homes, duplexes, town homes and the interior living units in apartment and condominium buildings.

Education facilities, healthcare facilities, daycare centers, assisted living facilities, license request inspections and specialized occupant types, while not part of the “In-Service Inspection” program also receive regular fire safety inspections through the Fire Marshal Division. Cooperation between business/property owners, occupants and the fire service will ensure a successful continuance of making Anne Arundel County a more fire-safe place to live and work. 

Prior to a fire safety inspection at your facility, the personnel from the closest fire station will deliver a Pre-Inspection Letter  that provides a brief overview of the inspection process. This will be accompanied by a Fire and Life Safety Features Checklist to assist the business occupant in preparing for the inspection. This list provides an overview of items that should be addressed prior to the inspection of the facility. Additional questions may be direct to your local Fire Station or to the Fire Marshal Division at (410) 222-7884.