Inspections

Fire inspections encompass a large portion of the prevention staff’s time in day to day operations. Our goal is to ensure that every structure built in the communities we serve is built for life. This basically means that for the life of that building, anyone who lives, works, or plays in that structure will be as safe as fire and building codes will allow.

At the very beginning of a project, we work with the cities served throughout the phases of development, plan review, and code compliance inspections during construction. Before the project is certified as completed, very thorough final inspections in conjunction with all city code officials ensure everything is complete and code compliant before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. When the final Certificate of Occupancy is issued, it means that the building has met all applicable code requirements and is ready for occupancy by the business(s) and/or the public.

Another aspect, and the most time consuming part of the inspection process is maintaining the large existing infrastructure in the cities served by the District. Once a building is built and occupancy is allowed, fire prevention staff is then tasked with on-going code maintenance in these structures for the life of the building. Multi family occupancies such as apartments and condominiums with four units or more are inspected annually. The annual fire inspection requirement is just one part of the rental licensing programs in each city served. Multi- family housing is one of the largest life safety risks we have due to the potential for large loss of life and property within our District.

Starting in 2007, fire prevention staff hopes to implement a commercial inspections program to ensure that commercial occupancies have documented general fire inspections on a regular basis.

Complaint investigations dealing with a wide range of topics including reports of potential fire hazards, chemical dumping, locked or blocked exits, persons causing false alarms or malfunctioning fire alarm systems, etc. are other areas that fall under fire prevention staff’s responsibility. Complaints made to either the District or the cities served are taken very seriously and given the utmost attention to prevent harm to persons or property to the customers served by West Metro Fire-Rescue District.

For questions regarding fire inspections completed in your facility or to request a fire inspection, please call the fire prevention staff at 763.230.7000, Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm.