Fire Prevention

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Bar and Restaurant Fire & Life Safety Guide:

This resource is designed to provide guidance on basic fire and life safety requirements for assembly occupancies. You can view information and examples illustrating how an assembly space should be arranged and maintained during both business and non-business hours to support fire prevention and code compliance.

Occupant Load Sign

The occupant load sign identifies the maximum number of persons permitted within the space. This number dictates the number of exits, exit signs, and door hardware that is required. The approved occupant load shall be posted in a conspicuous location and remain clearly visible at all times. Exceeding the posted occupant load may create unsafe conditions and impeded emergency evacuation.


Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors shall be maintained in working order and kept free of dust, damage, and obstructions. Do not paint smoke detectors, as paint can impair their ability to detect smoke and operate properly.


Electrical Panel

Maintain a 36" clear space in front of electrical panels at all times. Do not store items in front of or around the panel. This allows firefighters and emergency personnel to quickly shut off power when needed.


Commercial Hood & Duct System

The kitchen hood suppression system helps control and extinguish cooking fires. Maintain the system in working order and ensure required inspections and service are kept current. The system shall be serviced and cleaned on an annual basis.


Evacuation Map

Evacuation maps help occupants quickly locate exits during an emergency. Ensure maps are posted, visible, and accurately reflect the building layout and exit routes.


Fire Alarm Pull Station

Fire alarm pull stations allow occupants to quickly activate the fire alarm during an emergency. Ensure pull stations remain visible, accessible, and free from obstruction. Early notification helps firefighters respond faster and locate the emergency sooner.


Fire Sprinkler Riser

The fire sprinkler riser shall remain accessible and free of storage, equipment, and other obstructions at all times. The riser shall be inspected, tested, and maintained annually by a qualified contractor to ensure the fire sprinkler system remains operational and ready to protect occupants and property in the event of a fire.


Fire Sprinkler Head(s)

Fire sprinkler heads help control or extinguish a fire before it spreads. Do not paint, damage, or obstruct sprinkler heads, as this may affect their operation and firefighter safety.


Fire Alarm Control Panel

The fire alarm control panel monitors and controls the building's fire alarm system. It helps firefighters quickly identify alarm locations, system status, and potential hazards during an emergency. The system shall be serviced and inspected by a fire protection company on an annual basis.


Exit Doors

Exit doors provide a safe path for occupants to leave during an emergency and allow firefighters to quickly enter the building. Keep exit doors unlocked, unobstructed, and readily accessible at all times.


Knox Box

A Knox box provides firefighters with secure access to keys needed to enter a building during an emergency. This helps reduce response time, prevent property damage from forced entry, and improve firefighter safety.


Clear Exit Path

A clear exit path allows occupants to quickly and safely evacuate during an emergency. It also provides firefighters with unobstructed access to enter, search, and assist occupants. Keep all exit pathways free of storage, equipment, and debris at all times.


Emergency Lights

Emergency lights provide illumination during a power outage or emergency, helping occupants safely exit the building and assisting firefighters with visibility during an incident. Ensure emergency lights remain operational and unobstructed.


Fire Extinguisher

A minimum 2A:10BC fire extinguisher shall be readily visible, accessible, free from obstruction and properly mounted. The top of the extinguisher shall not exceed 5 feet above the floor, and the bottom shall be at least 4 inches above the floor. Fire extinguishers shall be serviced on an annual basis. This is to help protect occupants and assist firefighters during an emergency.


Property Address

The property address shall be clearly visible from the street and maintained in a legible condition. Clearly visible address numbers help firefighters quickly locate the correct building during an emergency, reducing response time when every second counts.


Extension Cord(s)

Electrical cords shall be plugged directly into a permanent wall outlet. Daisy chaining and improper extension cord use are prohibited.


Common examples of violations:









Bar and Restaurant Fire & Life Safety Guide:

This resource is designed to provide guidance on basic fire and life safety requirements for assembly occupancies. You can view information and examples illustrating how an assembly space should be arranged and maintained during both business and non-business hours to support fire prevention and code compliance.

Occupant Load Sign

The occupant load sign identifies the maximum number of persons permitted within the space. This number dictates the number of exits, exit signs, and door hardware that is required. The approved occupant load shall be posted in a conspicuous location and remain clearly visible at all times. Exceeding the posted occupant load may create unsafe conditions and impeded emergency evacuation.


Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors shall be maintained in working order and kept free of dust, damage, and obstructions. Do not paint smoke detectors, as paint can impair their ability to detect smoke and operate properly.


Electrical Panel

Maintain a 36" clear space in front of electrical panels at all times. Do not store items in front of or around the panel. This allows firefighters and emergency personnel to quickly shut off power when needed.


Commercial Hood & Duct System

The kitchen hood suppression system helps control and extinguish cooking fires. Maintain the system in working order and ensure required inspections and service are kept current. The system shall be serviced and cleaned on an annual basis.


Evacuation Map

Evacuation maps help occupants quickly locate exits during an emergency. Ensure maps are posted, visible, and accurately reflect the building layout and exit routes.


Fire Alarm Pull Station

Fire alarm pull stations allow occupants to quickly activate the fire alarm during an emergency. Ensure pull stations remain visible, accessible, and free from obstruction. Early notification helps firefighters respond faster and locate the emergency sooner.


Fire Sprinkler Riser

The fire sprinkler riser shall remain accessible and free of storage, equipment, and other obstructions at all times. The riser shall be inspected, tested, and maintained annually by a qualified contractor to ensure the fire sprinkler system remains operational and ready to protect occupants and property in the event of a fire.


Fire Sprinkler Head(s)

Fire sprinkler heads help control or extinguish a fire before it spreads. Do not paint, damage, or obstruct sprinkler heads, as this may affect their operation and firefighter safety.


Fire Alarm Control Panel

The fire alarm control panel monitors and controls the building's fire alarm system. It helps firefighters quickly identify alarm locations, system status, and potential hazards during an emergency. The system shall be serviced and inspected by a fire protection company on an annual basis.


Exit Doors

Exit doors provide a safe path for occupants to leave during an emergency and allow firefighters to quickly enter the building. Keep exit doors unlocked, unobstructed, and readily accessible at all times.


Knox Box

A Knox box provides firefighters with secure access to keys needed to enter a building during an emergency. This helps reduce response time, prevent property damage from forced entry, and improve firefighter safety.


Clear Exit Path

A clear exit path allows occupants to quickly and safely evacuate during an emergency. It also provides firefighters with unobstructed access to enter, search, and assist occupants. Keep all exit pathways free of storage, equipment, and debris at all times.


Emergency Lights

Emergency lights provide illumination during a power outage or emergency, helping occupants safely exit the building and assisting firefighters with visibility during an incident. Ensure emergency lights remain operational and unobstructed.


Fire Extinguisher

A minimum 2A:10BC fire extinguisher shall be readily visible, accessible, free from obstruction and properly mounted. The top of the extinguisher shall not exceed 5 feet above the floor, and the bottom shall be at least 4 inches above the floor. Fire extinguishers shall be serviced on an annual basis. This is to help protect occupants and assist firefighters during an emergency.


Property Address

The property address shall be clearly visible from the street and maintained in a legible condition. Clearly visible address numbers help firefighters quickly locate the correct building during an emergency, reducing response time when every second counts.


Extension Cord(s)

Electrical cords shall be plugged directly into a permanent wall outlet. Daisy chaining and improper extension cord use are prohibited.


Common examples of violations:









Page last updated: 17 Jun 2026, 12:58 PM