How often must each facility be inspected by a local fire official?

The requirement for each facility to be inspected by a local fire official annually is grounded in the need to ensure ongoing compliance with fire safety regulations and to mitigate the risks of fire hazards. Regular inspections help identify potential issues before they become serious problems and allow for the timely implementation of corrective actions to maintain the safety of the building and its occupants.

Annual inspections are seen as a balanced approach to maintaining safety, offering enough frequency to address potential changes or deteriorations in safety conditions while being manageable for fire officials in terms of workload and resources. This frequency aims to provide a consistent check on compliance with fire safety standards mandated by local, state, or national fire codes.

Other intervals such as every six months, every two years, or quarterly may not provide the necessary oversight needed to ensure that fire safety measures remain effective and that changes in occupancy or building conditions are addressed promptly.