Now that fire inspections are an annual occurrence for every multifamily property owner in the City of Spokane, it is important for owners to understand what inspectors look for in order to be properly prepared, and save money.

We had the opportunity to attend one of the first fire inspections in March of 2023, and thought it was pertinent to re-share this important information, as fire inspections have been a common topic of conversation with our clients.

Below, you will find our observations of the inspection, what we learned, some helpful ideas to remedy common issues, and examples of what our owners did as a precaution prior to the inspection.

Exterior Inspection

  • Fire hazards: The inspector searched for loose wiring and basic fire hazards.
  • Fire escapes and fire ladders: All fire escapes and ladders must be inspected every five (5) years by an engineer or architect. The fire escapes & ladders either pass inspection, need repairs or are given a notice to replace. Our subject property has 1 year to have this inspected and complete any required repairs or renovations.
  • Building siding: Our subject property is wood framed construction with asphalt siding (yes, asphalt siding) and the siding was deemed to not be a fire hazard or issue.
  • Fire department lockbox: The inspector checked that the FD lockbox was in working order, and that keys functioned properly and were correctly labeled.

Interior Inspection

  • Signage: The exit signs must be lighted with battery backup that lasts for a minimum of 90 min. Subject property exit signs were clearly visible and an exit strategy map was posted and made available for each unit.
  • Fire extinguishers: Our subject property had fire extinguishers in each unit and hallway. These extinguishers had been serviced in the last year. No notes or requirements were made. 
  • Storage: Storage areas were inspected for flammable/combustible liquids, specifically no more than 5 gallons of such liquids are allowed inside the building. Our owner took the time to remove all items that were no longer needed or being used. ***This appeared to make the inspection much quicker and less painful.
  • Lighting: One requirement is that all hallways must be lighted with battery backups. ***Pro Tip*** Home Depot sells lightbulbs with battery backups that last 3 hours-retail price is less than $5 each. 
  • Smoke/CO Detectors: Each bedroom needs a working smoke detector in addition to each unit and common area. Our subject property will be having a reinspect in 30 days. In our case each unit had a CO detector and smoke detector. ***Check that each smoke detector has a working battery backup prior to your inspection.
  • Basement units: Two viable egresses are required. If a unit does not have two viable egresses a fire suppression system will be required, or the unit will need to be abandoned. Our subject property is lucky to have two viable egresses.
  • Covers: Prior to inspection, check every light switch, outlet, junction box and breaker box for covers. If you are missing one cover, a reinspect will be required on your property. Our subject property will be reinspected for a missing junction box cover.
  • Other Possible Issues. Our subject property had one item that may be flagged – there is one unit where the stove does not vent to the exterior. The inspector is referring the issue to code enforcement to see if it is grandfathered in.

This is an initial overview of what the inspectors look for. You have most likely received a letter from the Fire Department with a comprehensive fire safety inspection checklist, similar to this one.

These inspections continue to have a big impact on every multifamily property owner in the City of Spokane, particularly the ones who own historical buildings.

Please reach out if you have any questions or you would like assistance navigating this process.

 


SVN Cornerstone Multifamily Team

Nate Gant is an Advisor with SVN Cornerstone. Nate has been an active member of the Eastern Washington real estate community since 2010. He has brokered more than $100 Million in real estate transactions, specializing in land development, REO and investment properties. To get in touch with Nate, email nate.gant@svn.com or call 509.993.4440.

Jordan Lester is an Associate Advisor with SVN Cornerstone. Jordan served as a brokers assistant for 3 years with SVN Cornerstone before becoming a full time broker. Jordan specializes in the multifamily sector of commercial real estate. To get in touch with Jordan, email jordan.lester@svn.com or call 509.496.6922