FIRE INSPECTIONS

The Port Washington Fire Department is committed to protecting lives and property through a comprehensive fire inspection program. Regular inspections not only ensure compliance with state and local fire codes but also give us the opportunity to work directly with property owners, managers, and tenants to identify hazards before they become emergencies. By addressing issues proactively, we help create a safer community for everyone who lives, works, or visits Port Washington.

All commercial properties, as well as residential properties with more than two-family units, are subject to fire safety inspections. For most of these properties, inspections are conducted annually. Properties with higher life-safety implications, or those specifically required by code such as schools, healthcare facilities, and other high-occupancy buildings, are inspected semi-annually to provide added protection. All inspections are based on the applicable provisions of NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards and Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 314, which set the minimum requirements for fire prevention and safety.

During an inspection, our fire department personnel carefully review the property to verify compliance with the fire code. This includes checking that fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and extinguishers are properly installed and maintained; ensuring that exits and stairways are accessible and free of obstructions; reviewing storage of flammable materials; and evaluating overall building conditions that could impact fire safety. Any violations or concerns are documented, and owners or managers are provided with clear guidance and reasonable timelines for correction. After your inspection is complete, a copy of the inspection report will be emailed to the business owner for their records, along with a list of any violations that must be corrected.

Inspections are not typically scheduled in advance with the business owner, but are conducted during normal business hours. If special accommodations are needed, arrangements can be made by contacting fireinspector@portwashingtonwi.gov or calling 262-284-2891.

Fire safety oversight does not stop at inspections. When commercial or multi-unit residential properties are renovated, altered, or newly constructed, the Fire Department conducts a plan review as part of the approval process. These reviews ensure that fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, and other fire protection measures are designed and installed in compliance with code requirements before work begins. By addressing fire safety during the planning stage, we help property owners, architects, and contractors avoid costly changes later and ensure that new or renovated spaces are safe from the start.

Both inspections and plan reviews are also opportunities for education. Our goal is to work collaboratively with property owners and residents—answering questions, offering safety recommendations, and providing resources to support ongoing fire prevention efforts.

THINGS TO REVIEW BEFORE YOUR INSPECTION

This is not an all-encompassing list of fire code requirements, but it provides a strong starting point for business owners to prepare for an inspection.

EXTERIOR

Fire lanes must be clearly marked and unobstructed, and the building address must be visible from the roadway.
Knox Box keys must be current, and hydrants, gas meters, and piping must remain protected and free of obstructions.
The Fire Department connection must be clearly labeled with caps in place.

EXIT FEATURES

Exits, aisles, and corridors must be free of obstructions.
Exit signs, emergency lighting, and rated fire doors must be present, operational, and properly maintained.
The occupant load must be posted and maintained.

STORAGE

Storage areas must be kept neat and orderly.
In non-sprinklered buildings, storage must be at least two feet below the ceiling, and in sprinklered buildings, at least 18 inches below sprinkler heads.
Oily rags, combustible waste, and flammable liquids must be properly stored, disposed of, or kept in approved cabinets.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Fire extinguishers must be readily accessible, properly mounted, of the correct type, and serviced within the last year.

SPRINKLER AND ALARM SYSTEMS

Sprinkler system valves must be locked, open, or properly supervised, with the system serviced, maintained, and in good condition.
Alarm systems must be inspected within the last year, properly maintained, and the inspection panel must be labeled with the date of the inspection.
Pull stations, detectors, and carbon monoxide alarms (in residential occupancies) must be present and in good working order.

KITCHEN EQUIPMENT

Kitchen hood extinguishing systems must be serviced, and hoods must be cleaned and maintained with an inspection date within the last six months.

ELECTRICAL

Electrical panels, appliances, and fixtures must be in good condition, with at least 36 inches of clear access in front of panels.
Extension cords must only be used temporarily, not as permanent wiring, and daisy chaining of cords or power strips is not permitted.
Elevators must be inspected, tested, and operational with a current inspection date, and ducts and filters behind appliances must be kept clean.

FIRE INSPECTIONS

THINGS TO REVIEW BEFORE YOUR INSPECTION

​This is not an all-encompassing list of fire code requirements, but it provides a strong starting point for business owners to prepare for an inspection.

Fire lanes must be clearly marked and unobstructed, and the building address must be visible from the roadway.

Knox Box keys must be current, and hydrants, gas meters, and piping must remain protected and free of obstructions.

The Fire Department connection must be clearly labeled with caps in place.

EXIT FEATURES​

Exits, aisles, and corridors must be free of obstructions.

Exit signs, emergency lighting, and rated fire doors must be present, operational, and properly maintained.

The occupant load must be posted and maintained.​​

STORAGE​

Storage areas must be kept neat and orderly.

In non-sprinklered buildings, storage must be at least two feet below the ceiling, and in sprinklered buildings, at least 18 inches below sprinkler heads.

Oily rags, combustible waste, and flammable liquids must be properly stored, disposed of, or kept in approved cabinets.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Fire extinguishers must be readily accessible, properly mounted, of the correct type, and serviced within the last year.

SPRINKLER AND ALARM SYSTEMS

Sprinkler system valves must be locked, open, or properly supervised, with the system serviced, maintained, and in good condition.

Alarm systems must be inspected within the last year, properly maintained, and the inspection panel must be labeled with the date of the inspection.

Pull stations, detectors, and carbon monoxide alarms (in residential occupancies) must be present and in good working order.​

KITCHEN EQUIPMENT

Kitchen hood extinguishing systems must be serviced, and hoods must be cleaned and maintained with an inspection date within the last six months.​

ELECTRICAL

Electrical panels, appliances, and fixtures must be in good condition, with at least 36 inches of clear access in front of panels.

Extension cords must only be used temporarily, not as permanent wiring, and daisy chaining of cords or power strips is not permitted.

Elevators must be inspected, tested, and operational with a current inspection date, and ducts and filters behind appliances must be kept clean.

This is not an all-encompassing list of fire code requirements, but it provides a strong starting point for business owners to prepare for an inspection.

EXIT FEATURES

The occupant load must be posted and maintained.

STORAGE

Pull stations, detectors, and carbon monoxide alarms (in residential occupancies) must be present and in good working order.

Kitchen hood extinguishing systems must be serviced, and hoods must be cleaned and maintained with an inspection date within the last six months.