What are some fire safety tips to help protect my rental properties?
In a home fire a resident may have less than two minutes to realize a fire danger and act accordingly to escape to safety. Being prepared with a fire emergency plan before a fire occurs can help save lives and protect property.
There is a greater likelihood of a home fire occurring in multi-family rental properties.  Landlords can take additional steps to prevent fire risks and safeguard tenants and property. The landlord’s lease agreement, rental rules and regulations, and tenant orientation help educate tenants on fire safety, fire evacuation procedures, and emergency procedures and contact numbers.
Regular property inspections should always be conducted by the landlord for health, fire, and safety compliances. In some jurisdictions, there are requirements by local codes for annual fire safety inspections of rental properties.
Install smoke alarms on every level of a home including the basement, inside the bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Interconnect smoke alarms throughout the home so that when one alarm sounds, all alarms sound. Landlords should consider installing both ionization and photoelectric alarms or dual sensor alarms for best protection.
At a minimum, there should be a fire extinguisher in the rental unit for use in the event of a kitchen fire. If the home has multiple levels, a landlord should provide a fire extinguisher on each level of the home. An extinguisher can help control small fires and could prevent fire damage to the whole structure. In some jurisdictions, there may be a requirement by local ordinance that landlords install and routinely inspect fire extinguishers in the rental unit. Tenants should be shown the location of extinguishers and instructed in their use during the tenant move-in property inspection.
In a multi-family property, a landlord should prepare an escape and emergency plan detailing clearly marked emergency exits and locations of fire safety equipment including fire alarms and sprinkler systems. A landlord should review the plan with new tenants and post copies of the escape route and emergency procedures and contact numbers in each unit and common areas. As part of safety procedures, a landlord should inspect windows that can serve as exits, making sure windows can be opened, screens readily removable, and tenants know how to unlock window security/safety bars.