Fire Safety FAQ

Question:

Why does the Fire Department inspect my business? It seems like you're here all the time; how often do you inspect? Do I have to allow you access to my property? Why do I have to pay for this service?

Answer:

The State of Wisconsin mandates in State Statute 101.14 that the Fire Department conduct fire prevention inspections. Wisconsin Administrative Code COMM 14.02 dictates that these inspections be performed twice a year. Given these code requirements, a business owner is required by law to allow us access to his or her property to conduct these fire prevention inspections. These laws are essentially unfunded mandates. As a result, the City of Waukesha Fire Department charges for these inspections as allowed by law to recover the cost of these inspections. It is not fair for homeowners to pay tax dollars to subsidize costs

Question:

I had some violations on my last inspection report. How long do I have to take care of the violations? Can I be fined if I do not comply?

Answer:

How long you have to rectify a code violation depends on the code that is broken. We are allowed a certain amount of flexibility with some codes. Generally, most violations should be corrected within 15 days. Some violations require more immediate action. Your Fire Inspector will let you know if any such conditions exist. If there are serious hazards present in your facility, the Fire Inspector has the legal right (and obligation) to order your business closed until the problem is corrected. Given the number and type of violations present, the City of Waukesha Fire Department can issue citations of up to $500 per day, per violation, from the day on which the violation was first noted. Keep in mind that these codes have been written not to be a burden to business owners. For every code that the Fire Department enforces, more than likely someone has had to die in order for the code to be written into law. By enforcing fire prevention and building codes, the City of Waukesha Fire Department can help ensure that our community is as safe as it possibly can be for our customers, friends, relatives, and

Question:

How far apart to fire extinguishers have to be and what type do I need? How often do they need to be serviced?

Answer:

According to NFPA 10 which governs fire extinguishers as adopted by State Administrative Code) a 2A:20BC extinguisher must be within 75 feet of travel distance from any area (50 feet if there are flammable liquids present in the occupancy). Once a year your extinguishers must be serviced by a certified fire extinguisher company. Check in the yellow pages for a company near you.