Common Inspection Problems
All smoke detectors need to be in good working order. Most houses have hard-wired detectors in common spaces and battery operated in all bedrooms. Battery-operated detectors must always have working 9V batteries.
All exit signs, emergency lights, and fire extinguishers must be in good working order. Exit signs and emergency lights have test buttons to check battery life. Fire extinguishers must be fully charged and hung in their designated locations.
Storage in hallways and stairs needs to be removed. The City is very strict about this.
Doors on all bedrooms, hallways, stairways, & common rooms need to self close and latch. Any door that does not do so of its own volition needs to be repaired. Bathroom doors are an exception and do not need to close automatically. All bedroom door handles and deadbolts must function properly, operable with both a room key and a house master key.
Windows must be fully operable, able to stay in the open position and lock properly when closed. Ventilation locks must be installed on all windows accessible from the ground or fire escapes.
Lights and switches must function properly. Light fixtures must be secure to ceiling, have fixture covers present, and have working light bulbs. 3-way switches must be fully functional from both switches.
Electrical outlets must be properly wired. Heavily painted outlets need to be replaced. All outlets near water (kitchens and bathrooms) must have a GFCI. Any non-grounded 3-prong outlet (anywhere in the house) must have a GFCI along with a label stating "no equipment ground".
Extension cords set up for long-term usage cannot be longer than 6 ft. Extension cords and power strips cannot be daisy-chained together. They can not be rated over 15 amps. Extension cords crossing doorways along the floor are prohibited.
Holes or damages to walls or ceilings need to be properly repaired with drywall mud/spackle. Any hole the diameter of a pencil or larger should be repaired. Check behind doors and invest in doorstops (good, heavy-duty ones) where applicable.
Cable or pipe penetrations need to be firestopped with fire-caulk.
Clean out all vents and bath fans. This means taking off the covers and brushing out both the cover and fan.
Mold and mildew should disappear from bath enclosures. Most mold can be removed with bleach or X-14. Badly affected caulk should be removed and new caulk applied.
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