The Bristol Tennessee Fire Department conducts annual inspections of all city businesses for both fire safety and fire code compliance. In an effort to streamline and simplify the inspection program, the fire department has implemented a Commercial Fire Safety Self-Inspection Program which begins with business owners or managers completing an online form. The program is designed to accomplish several goals such as maintaining up to date records, enhancing life safety, promoting a safe workplace, and reducing the amount of time your business operations are interrupted by the on-site inspection.
The new program targets low hazard businesses and provides an avenue for those businesses to insure their compliance with the 2012 International Fire Code. Fire department personnel must inspect annually an estimated 844 commercial/industrial buildings that house over 1,400 businesses. This has become an impossible task with current staffing when combined with the department’s many service demands and training requirements. The new program will be more efficient and allow all inspections to be completed without burdening the city’s taxpayers with funding additional manpower. The fire department enjoys partnering with the business community as we all strive to insure a high degree of fire and life safety standards are maintained and public safety is not compromised.
The self-inspection program is both simple and easy. The form may be accessed by going to the City of Bristol, Tennessee website http://bristoltn.org/172/Fire-Rescue. The form is the top tab in the column to the left. Once the form is accessed, simply follow the prompts and complete all 13 steps; finish by clicking “Continue” and your form will be automatically submitted. All required fields must be completed or the form will not go through the submittal process. Fire personnel will follow-up to answer any questions the business owner may have.
“We strongly encourage your participation and support as we implement the self-inspection program. The fire personnel are always ready to assist should you have any questions or concerns. If you need additional information or help with the self-inspection program please give us a call,” said Jack Spurgeon, Asst. Fire Chief/Fire Marshal.
To contact Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Jack Spurgeon, Jr. by email ([email protected]), or by telephone at (423) 989-5701.
