I can't have an exit sign on my door...what?

[StopSignGraphics]

About 6 years ago when I opened my shop, the fire marshall came by and did an inspection. He informed me that I needed some sort of exit sign for the back door. I had a sample roll of reflective film and I asked him if I printed something on reflective if that would be sufficient. He said that was fine.

About once a year, the fire department comes by for a regular inspection, several of the inspectors have asked about the signs but they've always agreed that they met the code. Now we have new guy, he came by the shop and informed that I had to have illuminated signs with a battery back up for the front and back doors of the shop.

I'm not making fun of the fire department but my space is pretty wide open, there is a bay door, and a regular size door at the back of the shop and a glass door at the front entrance... you have to be pretty ignorant if you can't find your way out. Long story short, we argued with them about installing the electrical signs, mainly because of the expense of getting the electrical permit.

So I get a phone call today, he's reviewed the codes and for my particular building we don't need signs, I say ok great, I think I'm done with it....but no....he's insisting I remove the reflective signs. Seriously I can't have a sign that says exit on my doors at all.

Just stupid...

 

[TXFB.INS]

you have a yearly inspection?

WOW, they would a field day in our shop or most shops for that matter, all the paints, solvent cleaners, general clutter, etc...

 

[J Hill Designs]

I cant believe they want you to REMOVE safety signs :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

 

[blueben]

Yearly inspections here too.

Anywhere from 10 months to 14 months apart with no warning. I find it funny that the company who does all the Fire Trucks around here always gets hit with corrections. Actually got shut down for a couple of days until they fixed a couple of things.

Here you need illuminated signs if the building is not older than 20 years or if it is, and has been renovated.

 

[Shadowglen]

Regulations by the Government are not supposed to make sense. it would make sense that they should make sense, but making sense is not very high on the governments list of requirements.

I would take the sign down and put another one up that says: "NOT AN EXIT ANYMORE"

 

[Gino]

The idea behind the electric with battery backup is, in case of fire.... OR too much smoke for whatever reason, the sign will light up so when someone not familiar with your building can have a chance of seeing a way out. The part about taking the existing sign down, though..... is stoopid.

 

[Billct2]

here it's the buildings owner's insurance company that comes round once a year. And they did have him install an illuminated exit sign w/backup. We also had to provide a map of our fire extinquisher locations, which was a good nudge to add some more.

 

[Kwiksigns]

that is the ONLY thing they check here. they come in, push the little button on the exit sign, passed, goodbye. But just when you first open. never again.

 

[Mosh]

I would think you are "grandfathered" in. My shop would in NO WAY pass regs, but the local Fire Marshall says since I was here before 1994 I don't have to pass anything. If I move or something anyone who moves in will have a bunch of stuff to do.

 

[player]

I used to always leave a few things out and obvious so when the inspector came in he could say "That can of paint needs to be in the paint storage area" or "That extension cord cannot be used with the bare wire" etc...

This was a successful stratagy. They always got to write me up for something and justify their existence, and I got to get away with no cost, easy fixes.

I realized without the strategy they would keep digging and finding more and more obscure and expensive things for me to do.

 

[S11930]

forget how dumb or stupid it is

Inspectors are like god. You have no one to complain to about insane a request is or what is to be done. In some cases they might pass your name on to other inspectors. Some inspectors have long memories and will find other things to write you up for and fine you. its easier to agree and move on.

 

[Speedsterbeast]

See if this will satisfy them

 

[StopSignGraphics]

Perfect! I was trying to come up with something to put on the door to replace the exit sign.

 

[AnthonyRalano]

Just print this out and put it up high and maybe they will think its on.

 

[Pat Whatley]

you have a yearly inspection?

WOW, they would a field day in our shop or most shops for that matter, all the paints, solvent cleaners, general clutter, etc...

I have a yearly inspection that goes like this, every year:

Fire inspector: I'm here for your annual fire inspection.
Me: You're going to have to come back because I know the fire extinguishers are expired. Sorry about that, I'll get them recertified.
Fire inspector: Okay, I'll be back in a few days.

Goes away, doesn't come back until the next year, repeat the whole conversation.