The Columbus Fire Department will officially kick off its annual fire and safety inspections next week.
Fire Marshall Todd Weathers said that while a few businesses have already been inspected, he and members of the CFD will begin to inspect nearly 1,800 Columbus businesses next week.
The inspection lasts from October to December and Weathers said an individual inspection can vary depending on the size of the building.
A small storefront can be inspected in as little as 10 minutes, with a larger building taking two to three hours.
Eighteen fireman will head the inspection and will each be responsible for inspecting approximately 100 businesses. Every member of the CFD has been trained in fire and safety inspection and will assist in the inspections.
Weathers asked businesses to be prepared for the inspection by making sure they have working fire extinguishers and the emergency and exit lights are properly working as well.
Weathers said he and the inspectors will be looking for “any kind of fire and safety issue.”
“Our whole goal is to make our businesses safer for the occupants of the buildings and the citizens,” Weathers said.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.