• Fire inspecton programs check structures to ensure that they are safe.Front view of an old fire truck in front of a fire station image by Alexey Stiop from Fotolia.com
  
  The goals of fire inspection programs are to ensure that structures are safe from fire and to ensure that the public understands the risks associated with fires. Fire inspection programs are the responsibility of local governments. These governments will inspect existing buildings and ensure that new construction projects meet the city's fire code.
  
  

Rock Island, Illinois

• The Rock Island Fire Department's Fire Inspection Program does fire inspections of apartment buildings with at least three units and commercial properties. The city also has a Fire Inspection Bureau, and this bureau is comprised of three shift inspectors and a fire marshal. The Fire Inspection Bureau will not only do the inspections, but they also offer fire prevention classes for city residents. Each commercial property and apartment building has a fire inspection file. If the Fire Inspection Bureau does find a violation, the offending building owner will receive an order to fix the problem. Then, a follow-up inspection will be scheduled. This bureau will also inspect any suspicious fires.
  
  Rock Island Fire Department Office of the Fire Marshal
  
  1313 5th Avenue
  
  Rock Island, IL 61201
  
  309-732-2800
  
  rigov.org
  
  

Redmond, Washington

• The Redmond Fire Department does inspections on both residential and business structures. This fire department does these inspections for all of the City of Redmond and the King County Fire District 34. The City of Redmond requires that businesses obtain a license to operate within the city, and a fire inspection must be conducted before the license is given out. The City of Redmond operates under the International Fire Code, which seeks to ensure that all structures have fire protection equipment and tries to mitigate any existing fire dangers. The Redmond Fire Department also issues single-use permits for temporary structures, traveling carnivals/fairs, storage tank removals and tents.
  
  City of Redmond
  
  Redmond Fire Department
  
  Fire Station 11
  
  8450 161st Avenue Northeast
  
  Redmond, WA 98073-9710
  
  425-556-2900
  
  redmond.gov
  
  

Forest Lake, Minnesota

• The City of Forest Lake's Fire Inspection Program seeks to ensure that all new structures comply with city ordinances, the Minnesota State Fire Code and the Life Safety Code. The Life Safety Code is a set of rules that tries to make sure that those working and living in a structure are safe from fire dangers like heat, lethal gases and smoke. The program is also responsible for inspecting current buildings, including industrial, commercial and multifamily buildings. The Fire Inspection Program also issues permits for sprinklers, fireworks, tents, underground storage tanks and fire alarms.
  
  City of Forest Lake Fire Inspection Program
  
  21350 Forest Boulevard North
  
  Forest Lake, MN 55025
  
  651-209-9731
  
  ci.forest-lake.mn.us