Fire Inspection Checklist: What the Fire Marshal Checks

A fire inspection checklist covers what a fire marshal or fire inspector looks at in a commercial building: exits and emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, sprinkler and alarm systems, electrical hazards, storage, fire doors, outside access and the records that prove systems were serviced. Use it to walk a building before the fire marshal does, or as the base for the annual fire and life safety inspections your company runs for clients.

The items follow the International Fire Code (IFC) and the NFPA standards it points to, such as NFPA 10, 25, 72, 80 and 101. Your city adopts its own edition and can add local rules, so the fire department's checklist always wins.

Reviewed November 7, 2026.

What fire marshals check, at a glance

Most fire inspections come down to one question: can people get out, and will the fire systems work? Inspectors usually check:

• Exits: clear, unlocked from the inside, marked and lit.
• Emergency lighting and exit signs: working, with monthly and annual test records.
• Fire extinguishers: the right type, mounted, accessible and tagged within the last year.
• Sprinklers and fire alarms: inspected and tested on schedule, with no storage blocking sprinkler heads.
• Kitchen hoods: suppression system serviced every six months and the hood cleaned on schedule.
• Electrical hazards: no extension cords as permanent wiring, clear space at panels.
• Storage and housekeeping: nothing stored in exit paths, stairways or electrical rooms.
• Fire doors: self-closing, latching and never propped open.
• Outside: address visible, fire lanes and hydrants clear, fire department connection accessible.

Exits and emergency lighting checklist

Exit problems are among the most common fire code violations, and the quickest to fix.

• Every exit door opens from the inside without a key, tool or special knowledge.
• Exit paths, corridors and stairways are clear, with nothing stored in them.
• Exit signs are lit and visible from the path of travel.
• Emergency lights turn on when power is cut.
• Emergency lights and lit exit signs get a 30-second test every month and a 90-minute test every year, as NFPA 101 requires, and both are logged.
• Exit discharge outside the building is clear to a public way.
• Occupant load signs are posted in assembly rooms where required.

Fire extinguisher checklist

NFPA 10 sets how extinguishers are placed, inspected and serviced.

• Each extinguisher is the right class for the hazard, including Class K in commercial kitchens.
• Mounted and visible, not blocked by stock or furniture, with signs where the view is blocked.
• The top is no more than 5 feet above the floor for extinguishers of 40 pounds or less.
• Pressure gauge in the green, pin and tamper seal in place, no damage or corrosion.
• Monthly inspection recorded on the tag or in a log.
• Annual maintenance tag from a certified technician, dated within the last 12 months.
• Hydrostatic test and six-year maintenance dates current for the extinguisher type.

Sprinkler, alarm and suppression checklist

Inspectors look for two things on fire protection systems: that nothing blocks them, and that a qualified company has inspected and tested them on schedule.

• Sprinkler clearance: storage at least 18 inches below sprinkler deflectors, as the IFC requires; more for some high-piled storage.
• Sprinkler heads: not painted, corroded, loaded with dust or hung with items.
• Control valves: open, and sealed, locked or supervised.
• Spare head cabinet: stocked with the right heads and a wrench.
• Sprinkler inspection: current NFPA 25 inspection and test report. See our fire sprinkler inspection checklist.
• Fire alarm panel: shows normal, with no active trouble or supervisory signals.
• Fire alarm testing: current NFPA 72 annual test report. See our fire alarm inspection checklist.
• Smoke detectors: not covered, painted or blocked.
• Kitchen hood suppression: serviced every six months, with the tag on the system.
• Hood and duct cleaning: done on the schedule for the cooking volume, with the cleaning label posted.

Electrical and storage checklist

Electrical and storage problems are easy to miss in day-to-day work, and inspectors look for them in every room.

• No extension cords used in place of permanent wiring.
• Power strips plugged straight into a wall outlet, not into each other.
• Clear working space in front of electrical panels; the IFC calls for at least 30 inches wide and 36 inches deep.
• Panel covers, breaker blanks and junction box covers in place; breakers labeled.
• No storage in electrical, mechanical or boiler rooms.
• No storage under stairways unless the space is enclosed and protected.
• Combustibles kept away from heaters, ovens and other ignition sources.
• Flammable liquids in approved containers and cabinets, in allowed amounts.
• Trash and pallets kept away from the building and emptied often.

Fire doors and rated walls checklist

Fire doors only work closed, so inspectors check that they close and latch on their own.

• Fire doors self-close and latch fully.
• Not propped, wedged or tied open; hold-open devices release on alarm.
• Labels on the door and frame readable and not painted over.
• No gaps, holes, broken glass or field-added hardware.
• Annual fire door inspection under NFPA 80, with the report on file.
• Holes in fire-rated walls and ceilings sealed where cables or pipes pass through.

Outside the building checklist

Firefighters need to find the building and reach its water supply fast.

• Address numbers visible from the street, in a color that contrasts with the background.
• Fire lanes marked and clear of parked cars and dumpsters.
• Hydrants with at least 3 feet of clear space around them.
• Fire department connection visible, with caps on and nothing blocking it.
• Key box (such as a Knox box) in place, with current keys.
• Gates and barriers open for fire apparatus or fitted with an approved release.

Records the inspector will ask for

Many violations are paper ones: the system works, but nobody can show the report. Keep these on site or ready to send:

• Fire extinguisher service tags and monthly inspection records
• Sprinkler inspection, testing and maintenance reports (NFPA 25)
• Fire alarm inspection and test reports (NFPA 72)
• Kitchen hood suppression service and hood cleaning reports
• Emergency lighting and exit sign test logs
• Fire door inspection report (NFPA 80)
• Operating permits the fire department has issued
• Records of fixes for deficiencies on the last inspection

For fire protection contractors: run the inspection in Clevra

If your company runs annual fire and life safety inspections for clients, you can build this checklist once in Clevra and use it at every building. Add sections for exits, extinguishers, systems, electrical, doors and outside access, with yes or no questions, photo questions, number fields and a signature. Mark the critical ones required so a visit can't close with the exits section blank.

• Attach the checklist to every job with your inspection service, so techs never pick the wrong form.
• Your tech fills it in on site in the phone's browser or the Technician app (iOS beta), adding up to 30 photos per photo question.
• Switch on Client report and Clevra issues a numbered PDF with your logo, photos, a sign-off and a revision history, sent by email or a secure link.
• Turn each deficiency into an estimate before you leave the building.
• Book next year's inspection as a recurring job on the schedule.

Clevra makes its own PDF report. It doesn't file reports to fire department portals or fill a city's own form. Checklists and inspection reports come with Pro and Business. See checklists, inspection reports and our fire inspection software page.

Fire inspection FAQ

How often does the fire marshal inspect a business?

It depends on the city and the type of building. Many fire departments inspect commercial buildings once a year, and schools, hospitals, assembly spaces and high-hazard sites more often. Your local fire prevention office can tell you the schedule for your building.

What are the most common fire code violations?

Blocked or locked exits, exit signs or emergency lights that don't work, missing or out-of-date fire extinguishers, extension cords used as permanent wiring, storage too close to sprinkler heads, propped fire doors, and missing inspection records for sprinklers, alarms or kitchen hoods.

How much clearance is needed below sprinkler heads?

The International Fire Code requires storage to stay at least 18 inches below sprinkler deflectors. Some high-piled and rack storage needs more, so check the code your city has adopted.

How often do fire extinguishers need to be inspected?

Under NFPA 10, someone on site checks each extinguisher every month, and a certified technician services it once a year and tags it. Hydrostatic tests are due every 5 or 12 years, depending on the type.

Can I run a fire inspection checklist on a phone?

Yes. In Clevra your tech fills the checklist on site, adds photos of each deficiency and a signature, and the office sends the PDF report the same day. Checklists are on the Pro and Business plans.

Try it on your next inspection

Build the checklist once, run it at one building, and send the report before you leave. The Free plan has no end date, and Pro or Business are free for 14 days, no card needed.

Get Started for Free or Book a Demo.

Sources: International Fire Code; NFPA 10, 25, 72, 80 and 101. Check the editions and local amendments your fire department has adopted.