OG 4018 In-Service Home Inspections

Issued By: FIRE PREVENTION    
Date of Issue: 1997/03/06
Revision Date:  1998/11/30; 2001/03/23

Forms Required:    
•    FP-253


PURPOSE: 

To provide guidelines and procedures for conducting in-service home fire inspections (Home Inspection Program). To reduce the number of house fires (approximately one per week) and fire deaths. To relay the fire safety message directly to the residents of Halifax Regional Municipality. 

OBJECTIVE:

In brief, Fire Fighters are to look for visible fire hazards, acquaint themselves with street names, layouts, hydrant locations, and new construction, provide fundamental fire safety information and enhance the traditional favourable image of the fire service.

SCOPE:

This policy applies to career and volunteer members of HRFE. 

PROCEDURE: 

The Station Officer will be in charge of coordinating and keeping records of what is completed in the home inspection program and each platoon will inspect streets in their districts as outlined:

•    ‘A’ Platoon all streets starting with the letters A, B, C, D & E

•    ‘B’ Platoon all streets starting with the letters F, G, H, I, J, K & L

•    ‘C’ Platoon all streets starting with the letters M, N, O, P, Q & R

•    ‘D’ Platoon S, T, U, V, W, X, Y & Z

NOTE: At the start of the program each year, the Platoons shall rotate to the next group of alphabetical letters for streets i.e., D Platoon moves up to A Platoon position with the letters A, B, C, D & E. A Platoon moves down to B Platoon position with the letters of F, G, H, I, J, K & L. If there is no street name that begins with one of the alphabetical letters in the group, skip that letter and move to the next one i.e., A Platoon no streets in the district starting with the letter “I”, then go to “J”. 

Home Inspections may be carried out between the hours of 0930- 2000 hours, or any requested time arranged with a home owner.

GUIDELINES:

1. Home inspections shall be carried out by two fire fighters accompanied by an adult member of the household. The inspection is a voluntary program and the consent of the owner/occupant (adult) must be given before an inspection is carried out. Personnel must present a neat and clean appearance at all times. Personal identification must be carried when conducting inspections.

2. Home inspections include the following: 
•    single family homes 
•    duplexes
•    triplexes with no common entryway of hallway
•    row housing
•    any other buildings not classed as an apartment building

For this program, apartment buildings are classed as three or more units sharing a common hall, entryway or exterior exit way.

If you find a complex and you are not sure if it is an apartment building, inspect units as a home inspection.

3. Dwellings should be approached from the sidewalk (never cut across the lawn), and remember to “wipe your feet” before entering the home.

4. 

a)    If any problems or hazards are noted, the owner/occupant should be advised to telephone the appropriate authority (electrician/burner mechanic, mason, etc.) to obtain information necessary to correct or address the problem noted.
b)    If you find several problems or violations at a given address and you are asked or wish to do a reinspection in thirty (30) days for example, feel free to do so.

5. All information concerning the home inspection must be confidential and should not be commented upon in public.

6. It is a good idea to inspect the outside of the residence first. This allows the owner to tidy up before you enter the house. Items to check while outside are the condition of:

a)    The chimney
b)    Electrical service entrance to the home 
c)    Oil and propane tanks
d)    Sheds and the amount of debris about the property

7. Information provided will include:

a)    Home Fire Safety pamphlet;
b)    A check sheet and other items to be provided by Fire Prevention.

A. PAMPHLET

Contains general information and requirements for the owner/occupant.

NOTE: Be familiar with the information stated in the pamphlet.

B. CHECK SHEET (Form FP-253)

Items which are marked with an ‘X’ should be corrected by the owner/occupant. The top
copy is left with the owner/occupant and the bottom copy is returned to the Fire
Prevention Division.

To make entering information into the computer easier, please mark information on a single check sheet because information is passing through to other copies by way of the carbon, backed paper. This makes reading the yellow copies very difficult.

Place platoon, station and your name on the check sheet. Many of the signatures are very hard to read so please print your name only.

Leave white copies of the check sheet in the mail box if the occupants are not at home and forward the back copy to the Fire Prevention office. It is felt that the occupants may wish to use the information on the check sheet themselves.

The following is a brief description of the items listed on the check sheet:

A.    STORAGE:

* To reduce the load, all unnecessary items or garbage should be removed from in and around the dwelling.

* Flammable liquids shall be stored in approved containers; preferably in a shed or garbage area.

NOTE: The maximum amount of flammable liquids (gasoline) to be stored in a dwelling unit is five (5) litres. 

* Propane cylinders other than the small non-refillable type (maximum 3) (propane torches) shall be stored outdoors in a well ventilated area, secure, upright, and have the safety plug in place.

* Paint and thinners shall be stored in properly sealed containers and oily rags shall be disposed of.

B.    ELECTRICAL:

* Electrical wiring or cords shall be in good repair and not located in areas where they will be damaged.

* Small heating type appliances such as toasters, irons, and curling irons etc. shall be unplugged when not in use.

* All electrical panels require a three (3) foot clearance to and around them.

* Unless stated on the panel, 15 amp fusing is the most common for all branch circuits.

An electrician can best answer questions concerning proper fusing or electrical related problems.

C.    HEATING:

* Chimneys and heating equipment shall be in good repair and inspected yearly by a qualified service technician.

* Smoke pipes shall be secured with screws, in good shape (no holes) and located away from combustibles as stated on the heating appliance specification plate or (18" if not indicated).

* Oil leaks are required to be repaired.

* Service personnel can best answer questions concerning problems with heating systems.

* Ashes, (woodstove) shall be stored in a metal container and placed outdoors. 

* Woodstove shall be installed as per requirements on the unit specifications and approval plate.

* The owners can telephone Fire Prevention or other certified inspectors if they wish to have their woodstove inspected.

* Woodstove smoke pipes, single wall, requires a 18" clearance from all combustibles (unless stated for less) on the appliance. 

D.    LIFE SAFETY

* It is recommended that an ABC type fire extinguisher be installed in each dwelling unit (minimum 2 1/2 lb. ABC type fire extinguisher).

* As per Bylaw F-100, smoke alarms shall be installed in dwelling units near sleeping areas.

* As per manufacturer requirement, all smoke alarms shall be operational and tested as required to ensure proper operation.
* The Halifax Regional Municipality Fire and Emergency telephone number should be posted near the telephone and every home should practice their home evacuation plan.

* Exits or exterior doors in dwelling units are required to open from the inside without requiring the use of the key. National Building Code of Canada.

* The civic number shall be displayed to help Fire Fighters identify properties from the street.

* Bedroom windows in bedrooms with no direct access to the exterior, shall have at least one outside window which opens from the inside without the use of tools or special knowledge (National Building Code). e.g. security bars are permitted but must be able to be open from the inside to allow escape (bedroom).

FOLLOWUP:

1. If the owner/ occupant is not home, leave a pamphlet and a ‘NOT AT HOME’ call card with the appropriate station phone number and the white copy of the check sheet.

2. If you are refused, leave the pamphlet and mark the address, date, and ‘REFUSED’ on the check sheet and return the back copy to Fire Prevention Division. (White copy to owner/occupant).

3. Platoons will carry out requested follow-up inspections and after hour rescheduled inspections for their areas at any convenient time.

RELATED POLICIES/ OPERATING GUIDELINES:

•    OG 4025 General Life Safety Checks
•    OG 3001 Inspection Frequencies
•    OG 3002 Inspection Types

OPERATING GUIDELINE REVIEW:

This operating guideline shall be reviewed when/if there are changes/amendments to the procedure utilized for In-Service Home Inspections.