Most Common Issues

You can help °®¶¹´«Ã½ stay safe and code compliant. Avoid creating these violations found on the list of Most Common Violations in New York State (listed by Occupancy type)

A - Assembly Occupancies (includes buildings or portions of buildings as gathering places for - civil, social, religious, recreational activities)

  • Blocked exits
  • No exit sign or exit lights out
  • Doors locked during hours of occupancy
  • Fire doors wedged open
  • Lack of panic hardware and/or hard to open doors
  • Overcrowding, occupant load sign missing
  • Aisles not adequate
  • Fire extinguishers not serviced or missing
  • Candles misused
  • Extension cords and other electrical problems
  • Decorations not flame retardant
  • Non-flame retardant drapes
  • Smoking problems
  • Heating hazards
  • No emergency lighting or not tested
  • Lack of Fire alarm testing or record keeping
  • Problems in Commercial Kitchens and Restaurants
    • Kitchen extinguishing systems not tested
    • Kitchen hoods too much grease
    • Grease accumulation on filters and in ducts
    • Hood system not serviced, non-existent, or improperly installed
    • Smoking problems
    • Cluttered storerooms
    • Electrical hazards
    • Heating hazards
    • Extension cords
    • Tables in exit paths
    • Misuse of candles
    • Decorations not fire rated/treated
    • Curtains not rated

B - Business (includes colleges/universities - administration, classrooms, post office, banks, clinics, labs, workshops, etc)

  • Exiting blocked
  • Exits poorly lit
  • Exit signs not lit
  • Corridors and aisles not clear
  • Signage missing from elevators
  • Extinguishers not serviced or missing
  • Storage rooms overloaded; too close to ceilings/sprinklers
  • Waste paper handling/recycling
  • Smoking hazards
  • Combustibles stored near heating equipment
  • Improper storage of flammable liquids
  • Lack of proper maintenance and testing of fire systems
  • Extension cords misused
  • Unsafe chemical storage
  • Compressed gas cylinders not secured and/or labeled
  • Improper storage of oily rags
  • Self-closing lids on containers not kept closed (grease, oil, rags, etc)
  • Separation of incompatible hazards non-existent/limited
  • Welding hazards
  • Fire protection systems not maintained/tested

R2 - Multiple Residences

  • Blocked exits
  • Unserviced or missing fire extinguishers
  • Excessive storage in basements and corridors
  • Cluttered attic spaces, under stairs, heating rooms and garages
  • Lack of or not visible Exit signs
  • Accumulation of dust and lint in Laundry rooms
  • Combustibles next to water heaters and furnaces
  • Lack of fire department access
  • Fire protection equipment not working or serviced
  • Faulty, untested standpipes
  • Penetrations in fire separations
  • Incomplete or missing evacuation plans
  • Stairway doors blocked open
  • Lack of smoke detectors and/or lack of testing
  • Proof of fire drill training

E - Educational (under 12th grade)

  • Blocked exits
  • Blocked sprinkler heads
  • Exit lights/signs not lit
  • Fire protection not maintained/missing
  • Labs not safe (storage, procedures)
  • Flammable liquids improperly stored
  • Shop hazards (welding, cutting, combustible dust, etc)
  • Excess storage of combustibles
  • Lack of drills or improper documentation
  • Auditorium drapes not flame retardant
  • Extension cords in use
  • Combustibles near heat producing elements/equipment
  • Pool chemicals improperly stored
  • Eye wash not maintained/available
  • Improper storage of hazardous materials
  • Fire systems testing/records inadequate