Civil Liability
Injury, damage to property, damage to interest in property or someone that says "Imma gonna sue you!"
What are reasons Fire Service personnel get sued?
Enhance fire and life safety, reduce community risk and improve firefighter safety.
What are the reasons for conducting an inspection?
They are the first two things you do when beginning an inspection.
Introduce yourself, explain the purpose of your inspection.
This is worth a 1,000 words. But it requires a date and location data to be useful in court.
What is a photo?
A report that answers the questions who, what, when, where, how, why and how many.
What is a complete report?
Examples for this type of damage might include opening an inspector's test valve and washing away new landscaping = or filling a convertible car w/water.
What is damage to property?
This is not always required, but it is a good idea for large companies where an inspection would interrupt business operations- this way they know when you are coming.
What is an appointment? (or scheduled inspection)
If you get this, you don't need a warrant to do your inspection.
What is permission (voluntary)?
What is the fire code?
A report that contains information that is the same throughout.
What is a consistent report?
Hitting a kid on a bike with your dept vehicle would be an example of this reason for a lawsuit.
What is an injury?
Clipboard, pen, camera, computer, measuring device, flashlight, hard hat, and forms are examples.
What are the tools needed to conduct an inspection?
The document needed to conduct an inspection if entry is denied.
What is an inspection or administrative warrant?
The document the proves you have the authority to enforce the code you are using.
What is the adopting ordinance?
A report written that includes all of the information required by the AHJ's SOPs.
What is a report written within policy?
Closing a business or restricting alcohol sales is an example of this reason for getting sued.
What is damage to interest in a property.
Review this to identify past violations and compliance.
What are past inspection records?
Must verify the occupancy to determine if this has occurred. If it has occurred, refer the violation to the Building department for reclassification.
What is a change of use?
A document which shows the violations found, their location and their disposition and documents that you have explained your findings to a representative of the business.
What is the inspection notice?
Usually 15 to 30 days for ordinary violations, immediately for life safety hazards.
How much time is given to fix a fire code violation?
Do your job right, and take the time to prove it (by writing good reports!)
What are two things a member of the fire service can do to prevent a lawsuit (or win one!)?
Documents you would review these to learn the design of the fire protection systems and equipment at a facility.
What are plans?
It should be done in an orderly or systematic manner.
What is the correct method for conducting an inspection?
In addition to official records, these items, which may be used to communicate with the business owner, are also considered to be evidence and must be preserved.
What are notes, phone records, social media, mail, video or other recordings?
The business owner and a jury.
What audience is an inspection report written for?