State fire safety laws and standards that apply to rental apartments
Currently, all fifty states have adopted fire safety standards and codes from the National Fire Protection Association (IFPA) and International Code Council (ICC). State fire codes are an organized and integrated approach to fire safety and code regulation relating to residential and commercial properties and structures.
Unfortunately, some of the most common fire safety violations can be found in rental apartments.
Before signing a lease on an apartment, make sure you conduct a safety inspection of your new apartment. Particularly fire safety. Here are some safety trouble tips to consider:
- If there are fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in the hallways and common areas.
- Whether the fire escape retract properly? Do they offer burglar access to the units?
- If you have functioning smoke detectors in your apartment. You will likely need to change their batteries twice yearly.
- Whether you need to install your own fire extinguishers in your apartment, the smaller ones are reasonably priced and available in most hardware stores. Most apartment fires start in the kitchen and can be easily and quickly extinguished.
- Make sure you have working carbon monoxide or natural gas detectors.
- Learn the fire escape routes in your building in case of fire and teach them to your family or caregiver.
- Consider buying a collapsible ladder you can deploy from a window should the main fire exits be blocked.
