CENTRAL PLATTE SAYS RESTAURANTS, DAY CARES FIRST ON THE LIST
Fire safety inspections have begun this month by the Central Platte Fire Protection District.
Here’s a tip for business owners within the fire district, which includes Platte City and some surrounding portions of Platte County: Restaurants and day cares are first on the to be inspected.
“We have begun performing fire and life safety inspections this month and will continue to do so on an annual basis,” Troy Miller, full time fire chief for the Central Platte Fire Protection District, told The Landmark this week.
Miller said conducting fire inspections isn’t necessarily a new thing for the department.
“Inspections were performed in the past on a complaint basis only,” Miller said, meaning when something fire hazard related was brought to the fire department’s attention an inspection was scheduled and performed to correct the issues.
“We don’t intend on inspecting with an iron fist. That doesn’t accomplish much in the way of building relationships and working together to become compliant. However, if any major dangers to the safety and health of citizens are found during an inspection, we will ask the property owner to remedy the issue immediately or request the business to be closed if the severity of the issue warrants it,” the fire chief said.
“For example, if during an inspection we find emergency exits blocked, we will instruct the property owner to clear the pathways right then. Or if bare wires are hanging and exposed that present a shock hazard, we will ask the business to be closed until repairs are made properly to prevent injury,” Miller said.
The fire chief added that major or persisting issues “will also be relayed to either Platte City codes enforcement and/or Platte County codes enforcement of our findings.”
During a typical fire inspection, Miller said the department is following the adopted 2018 International Fire Code, similar to the city and county.
Inspections vary slightly depending on the building and occupancy but the following points were stressed by the fire chief:
•Fire extinguisher placement, size, and showing a valid inspection tag.
•Entry/exits are free and clear for emergency exiting.
•Proper storage of chemical and other flammables.
•Electrical hazards, or misuse of extension cords, space heaters or bare wiring.
•Ensuring smoke detection systems have been inspected and tested.
•Sprinkler systems are inspected and showing a valid inspection tag.
•Exhaust hoods located in commercial kitchens are checked for cleanliness and valid inspection tags.
“While this is not a complete list, the point is that we look for things that are a potential fire hazard or a danger to human lives,” Miller said.