Posted: February 3, 2010 10:14:53 AM PST
The Bellingham Fire Department is launching an expansion to its existing business inspection program, and initiating fees to support it, in an effort to target hazardous conditions, educate business owners, and reduce the potential for loss of life and property.
Most Bellingham businesses are familiar with seeing firefighters from their closest fire station performing fire and life safety inspections, Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Boyd said. Beginning this month, the Department’s Life Safety Division certified Fire Code Inspectors will augment this program by conducting more in-depth inspections in businesses with higher vulnerability and risk related to their business activities, such as businesses which store or use flammable liquids, have a place of assembly, or store or use hazardous materials. These businesses will be issued an Operational Permit when inspections and any follow up actions necessary are completed .
Boyd said this in-depth look at these businesses will help ensure employee and customer safety and business sustainability by identifying potential hazardous conditions and providing expert direction to reduce the chances of catastrophic loss.
The Bellingham City Council established fees for this enhanced program in late 2009. Businesses that require a permit will be charged an initial fee of $150, with an annual $90 renewal fee. Fees are based on the recently completed Development Services Cost of Services Study. Boyd said the program is similar to programs in the cities of Kent, Monroe and Redmond.
Boyd said he anticipates a revenue increase of $50,000, based on the fees generated from an estimated 350-400 businesses expected to be issued permits this year. During 2010, all businesses will be evaluated to determine if their operation requires an Operational Permit, and a permit will be issued if necessary. Fees may vary depending on the number of permitted activities, special services or additional inspections needed to meet the Fire Code. Once in the system, a permitted business will be inspected annually and receive fire code compliance support from the Fire Department Life Safety Division. The work will be performed using existing Life Safety Division Fire Inspectors.
Inspections by fire crews and emergency incidents in 2009 highlighted the need to improve our fire inspection and code compliance activities, Boyd said. Unsafe - and in some cases illegal - business practices and operations were discovered, requiring significant effort, fire code expertise and coordination with business owners to bring the businesses into compliance. In one case an employee was injured when a drum containing a flammable liquid exploded while being cut with a torch, Boyd said, and other situations were identified where businesses were improperly storing, using or applying flammable liquids.
“Since re-establishing our fire company inspection program in 2003, our firefighters have been inspecting businesses, providing important life safety information and issuing correction notices for simple and easily correctable fire code violations. The program helps our crews stay familiar with the business operations, type of building construction and any special hazards" Boyd said. "This program is a significant enhancement in further reducing safety and fire risk in our business community, helping protect vulnerable businesses as well as adjacent facilities, employees, customers, our firefighters and the entire community."
Additional information including an application, fee list and an operational activities list are available at: http://www.cob.org/services/safety/fire/forms/index.aspx.
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Media Contact:
Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Boyd
360-778-8400 or bboyd@cob.org
Jason Napier, Fire Marshal
Bellingham Fire Department
360-778-8422 or jnapier@cob.org
