Business Safety Tips

Fire Extinguisher Scam

Livonia Fire and Rescue has become aware of a scam being perpetrated on area businesses related to the inspection and servicing of fire extinguishers. Individuals arrive on site and announce they have come to inspect and service the fire extinguishers. Be aware of the following:

• They have not been called or contracted to perform the service by Livonia Fire and Rescue.
• They will often arrive on site during a time when the business owner(s) most likely will not be present or available, i.e, on holidays, weekend days, after normal working hours of 8 a.m. through 5 p.m, etc.
• They will often present themselves as being with the Fire Department in some capacity and may even produce or display a badge as enforcement authority.
• After performing "the service," payment is demanded prior to leaving the premises.
• They will often be very intimidating in actions or speech but have never been known to physically assault anyone.

In an effort to reduce your vulnerability to such a scam, Livonia Fire and Rescue is recommending the following:

• Educate all employees of the potential for such scams.
• Refuse all unannounced solicitations for such service(s).
• Pre-establish and contract a reputable company and annual inspection schedule for extinguisher service.
• Make payment for services rendered only through proper billing procedures between the servicing company and the business. It is a not recommended to make immediate payments in cash or check.
• Should the business and/or employee(s) feel threatened in any way, call 911 immediately for police assistance.

Livonia Fire and Rescue does not service fire extinguishers, and further, there is no monetary charge or cost involved in the inspection of fire extinguishers by Livonia Fire and Rescue personnel. All of our personnel are courteous in the execution of their inspection responsibilities and have proper credentials for identification. Inspections will only be made between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m, Monday through Friday, and never on a weekend or holiday. While a list of reputable fire extinguisher servicing companies is available upon request, Livonia Fire and Rescue will never contact, contract, order, or request any private company to perform any fire extinguisher service. That is the responsibility of the business owner(s).

Questions Regarding This Issue

If you have any questions in reference to this issue, please do not hesitate to contact the Fire Marshal's office at 734-466-2444.

Craft Shows & Exhibits

Throughout the year craft shows, exhibits and/or other similar activities are scheduled and conducted in public or private school buildings. It has come to the attention of Livonia Fire and Rescue that existing exits and other life safety issues are being compromised by the physical arrangement of displays and other associated furnishings.

It will be required of petitioners of subject activities to submit detailed plans to us for review and approval and shall include the following information:

• Name, address and phone number of person/organization conducting or responsible for oversight of proposed activity.
• A floor plan of the facility including all existing exits from building, rooms and/or spaces.
• The proposed layout of booths, tables, displays and/or spaces allotted for exhibitors.
• Location and width of main aisles and access aisles.
• Identification of exhibitor spaces requiring electrical service.

The following are requirements/restrictions for craft shows and exhibits.

Exits

• All existing exits shall be identified (exit signs, easily recognizable and accessible.
• All exits shall be openable from the egress side without the use of a key(s) or special knowledge or effort.
• Travel distance to an exit shall not exceed 200 feet.

Corridors / Aisles

• Dead-end corridors, existing or created, shall not be longer than 20 feet.
• Aisles shall be a minimum 48 inches in width.

Fire Extinguishers

• Pressurized water fire extinguishers are preferred.
• Fire extinguishers shall be provided such that maximum travel distance to an extinguisher shall not exceed 75 feet. Extinguishers located 150 feet apart may satisfy this requirement.

Open Burning

• All open flame and/or burning is prohibited, including but not limited to:
  • Burners
  • Candles
  • Hand-held torches
  • Lanterns
  • Lighters
  • Matches
  • Other fueled appliances

Combustible / Flammable Materials

• Use or storage of combustible and/or flammable gases including but not limited to acetylene and propane are prohibited.
• Use or storage of combustible and/or flammable liquids including but not limited to gasoline, fuel oil, and kerosene are prohibited.
• Highly combustible materials including, but not limited to hay, straw, vines, burlap, corn stalks, trees and imitation flowers, shrubs and trees shall be prohibited from being located in aisles, corridors, hallways, or next to exits.
• Hanging combustible decorations, including but not limited to banners, tarps, blankets, signs, burlap and paper from, at or near the ceiling is prohibited.

Extension Cords

• Extension cords shall not be a substituted for permanent wiring.
• Approved extension cords shall be heavy duty type of minimum Number 14 gauge wire and be Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved.
• Extension cords shall not be affixed to structures, extending through walls, ceilings or floors or under doors or floor coverings.
• Extension cords shall not be located in, on, over, under or across pedestrian traffic patterns.
• Should extensions cords be used for other than a single lighting fixture, a fused (15-amp maximum) power strip shall be located between the female end of the extension cord and subject appliances.

No Smoking Signs

• No Smoking signs shall be posted at each entrance to rooms and/or spaces and other conspicuous locations.

Non-Flammable Gasses

• Cylinders of non-flammable compressed gas including, but not limited to helium, carbon dioxide, and air shall be secured against tampering and being accidentally knocked over.
• Cylinders shall not be located in hallways, corridors and/or aisles.

Demonstrations / Miscellaneous

• Demonstrations shall not be conducted in hallways and/or corridors.
• Soldering by use of electricity is allowed.

Christmas Tree Displays

Throughout the year and during holiday season in particular, questions arise concerning the use of decorations in various occupancies. In an effort to provide guidance for all interested parties, the following requirements are detailed as an aid in complying with state and local regulations. Authority for enforcement is derived from the following:

• Michigan Fire Prevention Code, Act 207
• City of Livonia adopted Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA) Fire Prevention Code, 1993 issue
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Pamphlet 701
• As Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), Fire Marshal for the City of Livonia
• Michigan State Fire Marshal Bulletin, N25, Reviewed 1/94

Regulated Properties

• All properties regulated by specific state or local laws or rules
• Schools, health care institutions, adult foster care homes, child care facilities and public assemblies (churches, restaurants, meeting halls, clubs, bars, malls/common areas, etc.)
• Trees and/or decorations shall be of non-combustible materials or combustible materials which have been treated to be flame resistant. Treating combustible materials shall be accomplished by using flame resistant/retardant coating(s) listed by a nationally recognized independent testing laboratory, recognized by the State of Michigan or as approved by the Fire Marshal, Livonia Fire and Rescue.
• Cut flowers or properly maintained live trees, plants, shrubs or grass used for artistic enhancement or decorative enhancements may be used to meet non-combustible or flame resistant criteria, providing the tree is kept in a natural site such as in earth and kept watered.
• Christmas trees located in schools shall be restricted to the following with only one tree permitted at any one location:
  • Auditorium
  • Cafeteria
  • Dining Rooms
  • Gymnasium
  • Kindergarten Room
  • Meeting Rooms
  • Multipurpose Room

Non-Regulated Properties

• Properties not regulated by specific state or local laws or rules
• Mercantile, offices, clinics, Medical Offices, industrial buildings, residential, and storage facilities