? Are all extinguishers serviced within the last 12 months by a registered service provider — with labels to prove it?

? Is the correct extinguisher type installed in each area — Class A, B, C or CO₂ for electrical risks?

? Is there adequate coverage — one unit per 200m² for Class A risks — and are all units accessible and unobstructed?

? Has the 5-year hydrostatic pressure test been conducted on all cylinders that require it?

Most buildings have extinguishers. Few have the right type, in the right place, with current service records.

? Can a 30-metre hose reach every point on the floor from at least one reel — are there coverage gaps?

? Has each reel been pressure tested and flow tested within the required maintenance interval?

? Is the hose in good condition — no kinks, perishing, or sections that won’t fully retract?

? Are shut-off valves and swing arms operational and not seized from disuse?

Hose reels are often overlooked at service — and coverage gaps are rarely checked until an inspector measures them.

? Are all hydrant valve boxes clearly marked, accessible and unobstructed by storage, vehicles or landscaping?

? Are booster connection inlets capped, accessible and clearly identified for fire brigade use?

? Has the system been pressure and flow tested to confirm the municipality supply can meet fire brigade demand?

? Are wet and dry riser systems (if present) serviced, tested and certified?

Hydrant systems are typically only discovered to be non-functional when the fire brigade needs them most.

? Have smoke vents or AOVs been tested for correct automatic actuation recently?

? Is the smoke ventilation system integrated correctly with the fire alarm — and does it trigger on the right zones?

? Are manual override controls accessible, labelled and functional for fire brigade use?

? Has the system been commissioned, with a commissioning certificate on file?

Smoke ventilation is rarely maintained between installations. Actuators seize. Override controls are forgotten.

? Has your system been serviced by a competent person within the last 6 months — with a servicing certificate issued?

? Do you know the declared SANS 10139 category of your system — M, L, or P — and is it documented?

? Has your false alarm rate exceeded 1 per 25 detectors per annum — which triggers a mandatory investigation?

? Do you hold design, installation, and commissioning certificates for your system?

Most fire alarm systems in South Africa are operating without a declared category and with overdue service records.

? Are all suppression cylinders within specified weight tolerance and pressure range — verified within the last 6 months?

? Has a room integrity test been conducted to confirm the protected space can hold the agent concentration?

? Are pre-discharge alarms and abort switches functional and clearly labelled?

? Is the system in automatic mode — not manually isolated or on maintenance bypass — right now?

Gas suppression systems protect your highest-value assets. Yet room integrity failures and cylinder degradation are common.

? Do all fire doors self-close and positively latch — with no gaps that would allow smoke or fire to pass?

? Are intumescent seals intact and undamaged — not painted over, compressed or missing?

? Are any fire doors being held open with wedges or props that are not approved electromagnetic hold-opens?

? Have any fire doors been modified or had holes drilled through them — compromising their fire rating?

Propped-open fire doors are one of the most common and most dangerous non-compliances found in any building survey.

? Are escape plans displayed at every floor entry, near lifts and stairs, at junctions — permanently fixed?

? Are they minimum A3 size, colour-coded with a “You Are Here” marker in safety blue and ISO 7010 signs?

? Have they been updated since your last renovation, layout change, or equipment move?

? Is the orientation correct — does left on the plan correspond to the viewer’s actual left at each point?

A generic floor plan is not a SANS 23601 escape plan. Most displayed plans fail multiple mandatory requirements.