Top Ten Violations

The following items are the typical violations located by fire inspectors during routine fire inspections of buildings. In bold is a summary of the code violation and below are the actions on how to correct the violation.

Maintain access and clearance to fire-safety equipment
• Maintain 30 inches of clearance around all electrical panels, furnace units and water heaters.
• Maintain 36 inches of clearance around sprinkler risers.

Change of occupancy/ new business
• A fire inspection must be performed when there is a change of occupancy.
Contact the Fire Marshal’s Office to schedule a fire inspection PRIOR to opening a new business.

Exit and Emergency Lighting
• Exit lights must be illuminated and visible from all directions.
• Emergency lighting must come on if the power goes out, and be able to last 90 minutes.
• Preform annual testing of all Emergency and Exit lighting, and maintain paper work for inspectors to review.
Test lights monthly to ensure they are in working order. Replace batteries and bulbs as needed.

Electrical Items, Extension Cords-Use Surge Protectors as a replacement
• Extension cords may not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring.
• Extension cords should not be secured to a floor or placed under rugs.
• Surge Protectors cannot be daisy- chained together.
• General Electrical- No Electrical wiring in a junction box can be exposed

Fire Extinguishers
• Fire extinguishers must be serviced annually.
• Maintain 36 inches of clearance around all fire extinguishers.
• Fire extinguishers weighing less than 40 pounds must be mounted no higher than 60 inches (5 feet) above the floor.
• Fire extinguishers weighing more than 40 pounds must be mounted no higher than 42 inches (3 ½ feet) above the floor.
• Fire extinguishers must be place in locations where they are visible and available for immediate use.
Check the yellow pages or Internet for listings of companies certified to perform fire extinguisher services.

Fire Safety Equipment
• Fire alarm systems must be tested annually.
• Fire sprinkler systems must be tested annually.
• Fire suppression hoods must be tested every 6 months.

General fire hazards
• Overloaded electrical sockets.
• Multi-plug adapters are not allowed.
• Use only UL listed surge protectors.
• Maintain 24 inches clearance from all ceilings, (18 inches if sprinklered).
• It is not permissible to have unapproved portable electric space heaters.

Locked and Blocked Exits
• Exits must remain unlocked and unblocked at all times.

Permits
• Permits are required for various operations and equipment use, examples of required permits include, but are not limited to:

Contact the Mooresville Fire Marshal’s Office for information about applying for and obtaining permits. Failure to get a permit when required constitutes a fine of $500.

Physical Address
• Addresses must be posted in numbers at least 4 inches tall and placed in a location that is visible from the street facing the front of the building.