The Williamsport Bureau of Fire would like to give helpful tips on how Building Owners, Safety Coordinators, Landlords, and Business Owners can pass their Fire Inspection in 2025. All commercial buildings, including buildings with 3 or more apartments, are subject to inspection by the Fire Department.

Exits & Egress:

All exit doors should function as designed. Doors should remain unblocked. If the panic hardware is broken, please replace and fix it. All exit doors are required to be unlocked during business hours. Both leaves in a set of double doors are required to be unlocked if both leaves have panic hardware. Exit doors should be able to be opened fully with ease. Hallways and aisles should be clear of storage, furnishings, or other obstructions. Storage under stairs should be removed. Fire escapes should remain clear and clean. Snow and ice should be removed as well. Rescue openings and windows should be functional without special latches or locks and should not be nailed shut.

Signs and Lighting.

All exit signs should be placed appropriately to guide customers and tenants to the nearest exit. Illuminated Exit signs should be fully functional and bright. Emergency lighting should be functional and bright. Both illuminated exit signs and emergency lighting should have a button on the device that, when pressed, will show you that the internal battery backup is also functional. If the button is pressed and the lights do not illuminate, the device will not be helpful during a power outage. Batteries may need replaced in the devices for both functions. Lightbulbs may need to be replaced. I see many of these illuminated exit signs and emergency lighting devices in buildings are very old. You may find it easier and more beneficial to replace the device entirely with new LED devices which appear bright and utilize less energy.

Fire Suppression Equipment

Sprinkler systems, standpipes, fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers, kitchen range hoods, and Ansul systems should be inspected regularly by a professional third-party contractor registered with The City of Williamsport. Documentation of these inspections must be uploaded to The Compliance Engine, a system we use to track these inspections. All systems should be tagged by the contracted testing company. Fire extinguishers must be of the correct size and type. Fire extinguishers should also be easily seen, accessible, and remain unobstructed.

Detectors

Smoke, carbon monoxide and flame detectors should be functional, tested regularly and unobstructed. In residential areas, smoke detectors need to remain on the wall with working batteries inside. Removing or tampering with these devices can and will result in high fines and or criminal charges. Fines and criminal charges may be applied to both landlord and tenant.

Seal Up The Gaps

Anytime a pipe, duct, wire, or object penetrates through a wall or ceiling, the area around it is required to be sealed. These gaps allow superheated gases, fire, and smoke to easily travel to new areas in a building to swiftly spread fire. Fireblock foam spray can quickly seal these open holes and penetrations. Drop ceilings should have all tiles in place. Broken tiles should be replaced. Drop ceilings are not only for aesthetics but also to prevent the unnecessary spread of fire and smoke in the event of a fire. I tell people to picture the room filled with water and then imagine the room getting tipped upside down. Anywhere the water would go is an easy path for fire spread.

Knox Products

Buildings with fire alarms are required to have Knox Boxes installed. This is a hardened steel key box which is only accessible by The Williamsport Bureau of Fire or our local EMS/Ambulances. These boxes are also available to private citizens if you are concerned about yourself or other family members who may be prone to falls or are not able to ambulate. Having access to keys to easily enter helps prevent unnecessary damage to buildings if the fire department should have to force entry.

Building owners with fire department connections (FDC’s) are required to have locking protective caps installed. This protects your sprinkler system, fire pump or standpipe from harsh weather conditions, infestations, obstructions and vandalism. Email fireinspector@cityofwilliamsport.org for more information on ordering the proper equipment.

House Keeping

Storage in closets should be 2 feet below the ceiling in unsprinklered rooms. Storage should be 18 inches below sprinkler heads in rooms with sprinklers. In warehouses and companies, the height of storage is highly regulated and will be enforced by the Fire Inspector. Too high storage creates dangers to employees and firefighters and contributes to fire load.

Boiler, electrical and mechanical rooms are not to be used for storage.

Electrical Panel Boxes are required to have 30 inches of clearance in front of them.

Electrical outlets are required to have faceplates. Outlets within 6 feet of water are required to be GFCI outlets. Extension cords and surge protectors should not be used in lieu of permanent wiring. All electrical wires should be in good condition and properly terminated.

Flammable liquids should be stored in flammable liquid cabinets.

Dumpsters should be moved 5 feet away from the building and overhangs.

If you would like to schedule your yearly inspection or have questions, please email me at fireinspector@cityofwilliamsport.org.​

Stephen M. Yonkin is Williamsport’s fire inspector.