Health and safety
Fire Safety Inspection Checklist for Businesses
- Who checks
- Location manager or the designated fire safety officer
- When
- Monthly; emergency exits and escape routes daily at opening
- Time
- ~40 min · 34 items
| Location | Date and time | Inspector | Signature |
Typical fire safety violations at chain locations are everyday ones: boxes in the corridor to the emergency exit, a door locked “to prevent theft,” an extinguisher behind a shelving unit, a smoke detector still covered in plastic after renovation, three power strips daisy-chained under the register. Each looks minor on its own, but together they decide whether people get out in time and whether the system works in a fire.
The checklist works for restaurants, stores, gyms, hotels and offices — mark sections that don’t apply to your site (e.g. a kitchen hood) as “not applicable.” Walk the escape routes from the farthest rooms to the exits, then check equipment, electrical, storage areas and paperwork. Violations on exits and escape routes are fixed immediately, before work continues.
Escape routes and exits
-
1
Emergency exits open from the inside without a key during business hours Open every emergency exit from the inside: the door isn’t locked or padlocked, and any electric lock releases.☐ Yes☐ No
-
2
Escape routes are not blocked by boxes, furniture or stock Walk from the farthest rooms to the exit: the route isn’t narrowed, nothing stands by the doors or on the stairs.☐ Yes☐ No
-
3
The area outside the emergency exit is clear The door opens fully: no cars, dumpsters, pallets or snow outside.☐ Yes☐ No
-
4
Illuminated EXIT signs are lit Check every sign along the escape route; any that are out are noted and reported for repair.☐ Yes☐ No
-
5
Emergency lighting has been tested on schedule The log shows the last emergency lighting test; it switches on when the main lights go out.☐ Yes☐ No
-
6
Evacuation plans are posted and match the current layout The plan shows a “You are here” mark; new partitions and relocated exits are reflected.☐ Yes☐ No
-
7
Carpets on escape routes are secured, edges don’t curl up Rugs and runners don’t slide or bunch into folds someone could trip over while evacuating.☐ Yes☐ No
Fire extinguishers and hose reels
-
8
Extinguishers are at the locations marked on the placement plan Compare actual locations with the plan; there is a fire extinguisher sign above each one.☐ Yes☐ No
-
9
The extinguisher pressure gauge needle is in the green zone Check every stored-pressure extinguisher with a gauge; any with the needle outside the green zone is taken out for service or replaced.☐ Yes☐ No
-
10
The extinguisher tamper seal and safety pin are in place A broken seal means the extinguisher may have been used — it is sent for inspection.☐ Yes☐ No
-
11
The extinguisher inspection or recharge date has not expired The date on the tag or service record is within the interval required by local regulations.☐ Yes☐ No
-
12
Access to extinguishers is unobstructed The extinguisher can be removed with one hand without moving boxes, carts or clothing racks.☐ Yes☐ No
-
13
The extinguisher type matches the area Extinguishers by the electrical panel, in the kitchen and in the stockroom suit the likely fire class per the placement plan.☐ Yes☐ No
-
14
Fire hose cabinets (where installed) are unobstructed and fully equipped Hose and nozzle inside, cabinet closed and sealed, door opens fully.☐ Yes☐ No
Fire alarm and notification
-
15
The fire alarm control panel shows “Normal” No “Fault” or “Disabled” indication on the panel; if there is a fault, a service request has been filed with the maintenance contractor.☐ Yes☐ No
-
16
Smoke detectors are not covered Look at the ceiling: no plastic, bags or dust caps left from renovation, detectors not blocked by decor or suspended fixtures.☐ Yes☐ No
-
17
Manual call points are accessible and undamaged Pull stations by the exits are not blocked, the protective cover is in place.☐ Yes☐ No
-
18
Fire alarm maintenance has been carried out on schedule The log or contractor reports show an entry for the last period under the contract.☐ Yes☐ No
-
19
The voice/alarm notification test is recorded in the log The last notification system test date is within the site’s schedule.☐ Yes☐ No
Electrical
-
20
No exposed wires, twisted splices or temporary wiring Check back rooms, the stockroom, the register area and behind equipment; wires are insulated, connections in junction boxes.☐ Yes☐ No
-
21
Extension cords are not daisy-chained or overloaded No “power strip into power strip” chains and no splitters under high-load appliances (heaters, kettles, coffee machines).☐ Yes☐ No
-
22
Outlets and plugs show no melting or discoloration Check outlets used by equipment that runs constantly; a plug that’s hot to the touch is a reason to call an electrician.☐ Yes☐ No
-
23
The electrical room is closed and nothing is stored in it The panel door closes; no boxes, mops or papers inside or in front of the panel; access is clear.☐ Yes☐ No
-
24
Heaters in staff areas are factory-made, with no combustibles nearby No homemade heaters; paper, clothing and boxes are no closer than the appliance manual allows (a common rule is at least 1 m / 3 ft).☐ Yes☐ No
Storage and combustibles
-
25
Cardboard and packaging are not stored near electrical panels or heaters There is room to walk up to the panel or appliance freely; packaging is stacked in the designated area.☐ Yes☐ No
-
26
Flammable liquids and aerosols are stored in a separate closed location Solvents, alcohol-based products and gas cylinders are kept in minimum quantities, away from heat sources.☐ Yes☐ No
-
27
Trash and packaging are removed daily and don’t pile up in corridors No trash bags or empty boxes on stairs, in corridors or vestibules.☐ Yes☐ No
-
28
Smoking only in the designated area with a non-combustible ashtray No cigarette butts by the entrances or in the back yard outside the designated area.☐ Yes☐ No
-
29
Kitchen hood filters are cleaned on schedule (if the site has a kitchen) No visible grease layer on the filters or inside the hood; the last cleaning date is recorded.☐ Yes☐ No
Staff and documents
-
30
A fire safety officer is appointed and their contact details are posted There is a written order or assignment; the officer’s name and phone number are posted next to the evacuation plan or at reception.☐ Yes☐ No
-
31
All staff have completed fire safety training, with signatures in the log Compare the staff on shift with the training log; new hires are trained before they start work.☐ Yes☐ No
-
32
Staff know where the nearest extinguisher and emergency exit are Ask two employees on shift — they show you rather than answer in general terms.☐ Yes☐ No
-
33
A fire drill was held on time per the site’s schedule The log shows the date of the last drill and its findings.☐ Yes☐ No
-
34
The emergency number and site address are posted by the phone or at reception Whoever calls emergency services can see the exact address and how to find the entrance.☐ Yes☐ No
This template is a starting point. Check the limits and wording against your local regulations, your company standards and the equipment manufacturers' instructions.
jeCheck · https://jecheck.io/en/templates/fire-safety-check
Common violations
- The emergency exit is locked so stock can’t be carried out through it. Door alarms exist to prevent theft; a locked emergency exit cuts off people’s escape in a fire.
- Dust caps and plastic are left on smoke detectors after renovation or painting. The panel shows “Normal,” but the system won’t detect smoke in that room.
- The corridor to the emergency exit becomes a storage area “just for one day.” Empty boxes are both an obstacle and fuel.
- There are extinguishers, but they’re behind shelving or in a locked back room. In a fire, finding them takes longer than it takes the fire to spread.
- Training is a formality: the log is signed, but staff don’t know where the nearest exit is or how to use an extinguisher.
Frequently asked questions
A full walkthrough monthly. Emergency exits and escape routes are worth checking daily at opening, while extinguishers, alarms and emergency lighting are also serviced on schedules set by local regulations and your maintenance contract.
Yes, but some systems (alarm, notification, hose reels) in a mall are maintained by the landlord. Check what’s inside your unit and ask mall management to confirm that shared systems are serviced.
Violations on exits, escape routes and covered detectors are fixed on the spot during the walkthrough. Everything else becomes a task with an owner and a deadline; a follow-up walkthrough confirms it’s closed.
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Run this inspection on your phone
Move the checklist into jeCheck: photos on every item, tasks for each issue with an owner and a deadline, and location comparison by results.