A random compliance inspection may be conducted by the Howard County Office of the Fire Marshal during your summer camp program. These inspections help ensure a safe environment for campers, staff, and visitors. Our goal is to promote fire safety throughout Howard County and assist camp operators in maintaining compliance with applicable fire and life safety codes.
To assist with preparation for a possible inspection, we have developed the following self-inspection checklist. Please note that this checklist is not all-inclusive and does not encompass all fire code requirements. Fire Inspectors may identify violations not specifically listed below.
- Evacuation Plans – Printed floor plans showing primary and secondary evacuation routes shall be posted in each room used for summer camp activities.
- Fire Extinguishers – Extinguishers shall be unobstructed, fully charged, properly tagged, and pin and tamper seal intact. Extinguishers shall be mounted with the top between 3 and 5 feet above the floor and the bottom at least 4 inches above the floor.
- Fire Alarm Systems – Manual pull stations and alarm notification devices shall remain visible, accessible, and unobstructed at all times.
- Automatic Sprinkler Systems – Sprinkler heads shall not be obstructed or used to support or hang any items.
- Means of Egress – Exit access, exits, and exit discharge areas shall remain clear and unobstructed at all times. Doors shall open fully, latch securely when closed, and operate as designed. Doors equipped with panic hardware shall not have additional locking devices or latches. Exit doors shall not be locked or otherwise secured against egress.
- Exit Signs – Exit signs shall remain illuminated, visible, and unobstructed at all times.
- Emergency Lighting – Emergency lighting equipment shall be maintained in operable condition and automatically provide illumination upon loss of normal power. Fixtures shall not be covered or obstructed.
- Corridors and Hallways – Corridors and hallways shall remain unobstructed and maintain a minimum clear width of 72 inches.
- Housekeeping – The accumulation of trash, refuse, or combustible debris is prohibited both inside and outside the building. Exterior combustible storage, including dumpsters, shall not be located within 15 feet of a building, structure, or property line.
- Curtains, Draperies, and Decorations – All decorative materials shall comply with NFPA 701 flame-resistance requirements or be treated with an approved NFPA 701 or California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) certified flame-retardant product. Documentation and product labeling shall be available for review during inspection.
- Magnetic Light Covers – Magnetic light covers shall comply with NFPA 701 flame-resistance requirements. Documentation shall be available during inspection. Due to their proximity to electrical fixtures, flame-retardant spray treatments are not permitted for this application.
- Artwork and Decorative Materials – Artwork, posters, and decorative materials shall not exceed 30 percent of the wall area in sprinklered buildings or 20 percent of the wall area in non-sprinklered buildings.
- Tents – Tents shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from any structure and shall not obstruct exits or required means of egress. All tents shall comply with NFPA 701 flame-resistance requirements. Tents exceeding 120 square feet require a permit. Tents with an occupant load of 50 or more are classified as assembly occupancies and shall have a minimum of two marked exits. When sidewalls are installed, exit openings shall be clearly identified and contrasting in color. All heating and air-conditioning equipment serving tents must be approved by the Office of the Fire Marshal.
- Unsecured Seating – For rows of chairs not secured to the floor, the travel distance from any seat to an aisle shall not exceed 30 feet. A minimum spacing of 12 inches shall be maintained between rows. When the total number of seats exceeds 200, chairs within each row shall be fastened together. Seating diagrams for arrangements exceeding 200 seats shall be submitted to the Office of the Fire Marshal for approval.
- Crowd Managers – Assembly occupancies shall have a minimum of one trained crowd manager on duty. When the occupant load exceeds 250 persons, one crowd manager shall be provided for every 250 occupants, or fraction thereof. The Office of the Fire Marshal provides crowd manager training at no cost.
- Occupant Load – Assembly areas shall display a valid occupant load sign issued by the Office of the Fire Marshal. The sign shall be permanently affixed to an interior wall within 5 feet of the main entrance at a height between 5 and 10 feet above the floor. Occupant load signs shall not be removed, obscured, or altered. Seating diagrams are required for all assembly areas utilizing unsecured seating.
This program is important to safeguard the lives and property of the citizens we serve. We appreciate your cooperation in correcting any identified deficiencies and maintaining a safe environment for all camp participants. Working together, we can continue to improve fire and life safety throughout Howard County.
Questions?
Phone: 410-313-6040