The Levelland Fire Department's top priority is public safety, which means helping businesses stay up to code with regular fire inspections. As inspections continue, the department has information to help businesses stay up to code and common mistakes to avoid.
The goal for the station is to enforce safety for everyone in the city from any fire problem. Even things as small as a ceiling tile can make a difference during a fire, so regular checks occur to ensure that the smallest fixes don't turn into the biggest problems.
Cade Millenbine, the fire inspector with the Levalland Fire Department, says their inspections could be the reason a building is saved.
“Our whole deal is trying to prevent a fire from happening,” Millenbine said. “Fires will happen, but we can look back and say we’ve done our part to make sure these buildings are up to code.”
Inspections aren’t there for the fire department to come in and shut a business down. They’re to help against worst-case scenarios, and if there’s a way to prevent it, the firestation will do it.
Jeff Pharis, the lieutenant at the station, says inspections are the first step of protection against a fire, while saving time, the property, and most importantly, the people. “The easiest, safest fire for us is the one that we stop by doing inspections,” Pharis said. “That’s why we do inspections.”
The fire station staff says they can happen at random, and every business should expect the fire inspector to come in at some point throughout the year.
“Inspections occur every day, Monday through Friday. If you see the trucks out, we’re probably doing inspections,” Millenbine said.
The first step of an inspection involves the inspector coming in and introducing themselves to the business. Then, routine checks can last anywhere from ten minutes to a few hours, depending on the size of the building.
The last thing the fire department wants is for the business to feel uncomfortable with their presence. They want the people to know that they’re on their team and that they aren’t there to catch businesses off guard and to shut them down.
“When I’m new on an inspection, I do a right-hand search. I go through the entire building, so I come back to the point where I started,” Millenbine said. “Once everything is done, I go back to the manager, relay the information, and get their signature.”
The goal is that when the fire department comes back the following year, it’s a much easier process. When making rounds throughout the city, firefighters took note of the most common issues that can lead to a failed inspection.
“Make sure there are covers on your outlets, make sure your fire extinguisher is up to date, make sure your exit signs are available, they’re lit, and they’re working,” Millenbine said.
Another common issue is addresses not being properly displayed. If firefighters can’t see addresses at night, it can lead to some problems with getting to the right destination.
The most dangerous issue seen by firefighters are daisy chains.
“Daisy chaining is a huge thing,” Millenbine said. “That’s when you plug an extension cord into a multiplug adapter and create more than one source of power.”
This is commonly seen with standard plug-in heaters, which draw 1,500 watts away from the outlets cap at 1,800 watts. Once more wires get plugged in, it can exceed that limit, melt the strip, and start a fire.
Many things can lead to a failed inspection, but it’s important to know that these problems can be fixed, and firefighters understand that it can take time.
“As long as they’re making progress, we’re going to be very lenient about it, Millenbine said. “We’re there throughout the entire process.”
Firefighters want the safety of the public, but also their own safety for themselves when entering a building. The process is to benefit both parties and not to enforce, but rather to comply. The station encourages the public to reach out if they’re having any problems.
“If any business owner has any questions at any time, call us,” Millenbine said. “We’ll come out and help you. We’re not here to slap anybody on the wrist. We’re pro safety for everybody.”
Inspections will continue, and every business across Levelland will be inspected for the safety of people and property. If any person has questions don't hesitate to call the fire station at 806-894-3155.