Opportunities for Natural Guard service also exist on other days and times. An annual fire inspection is good business planning for future emergencies. It allows commercial property owners to find out what potential problems exist while the Fort Worth Fire Department gets to know the buildings before an emergency occurs inside. Firefighters examine exits, hallways and corridors to ensure they are free from obstructions and storage. Twenty-three categories comprise the checklist including sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, electrical extension cords and wiring, fire alarm systems and fire lanes.
Research shows that fire safety and prevention reduce fire loss and death.
The Fort Worth Fire Department has emphasized the importance of fire prevention through classes, demonstrations and inspections, and its efforts are paying off. During the past 10 years, Fort Worth has seen the number of structure fires reported each year decline by more than 1,000. The Fort Worth Fire Department created a commercial fire inspection database in the 1980s to help it track and process the annual inspections. The database is continually updated and expanded. When a new business files for a certificate of occupancy, the Fire Department receives notice.