Chiefs who oversee firefighting training centers must adhere to NFPA 1403, which mandates that regular, annual inspections by licensed engineers be done on live-fire training props to reduce any exposure to health-and-safety hazards, said Randy Frame, a professional engineer (PE) with Fire Safety and Inspection Services. In fact, NFPA guidelines state training facilities that conduct 30 live-fire evolutions a year must be inspected every three years.

“If the center does 30 to 60 evolutions, it’s every two years,” Frame added. “And if there are more than 60, it is every year.”

Chapters 5 and 6 of the standard discuss Class A and propane fires, and both chapters state that live-fire training structures must be inspected visually prior to each live-training evolution. In addition, the structural integrity of the structure must be inspected and documented by a licensed engineer with live-training expertise. Such engineers must know the nature of fire and where to look for damage, Frame said.

“Fire-experienced PEs identify all problems with fire linings and the rest of the structure, including code violations, OSHA violations, even rappelling rings that may need to be expected,” he said.

Chapter 9 requires record-keeping procedures for each revolution. Without record-keeping, departments that share a facility may not be completely aware of the wear-and-tear or damage done from previous training sessions. In addition, lack of records and communication can lead to firefighter injury — or worse, death.

“Few centers keep records on the use of building,” Frame said. “The standard says records should be maintained on all live-fire evolutions and that you must list an accounting of activities conducted, instructors present, list of participants, unusual conditions encountered as well any injuries incurred and treatment rendered. Also, they have to list any deterioration or damage to the structure.”

Frame said the requirements in NFPA are not recommendations to be arbitrarily accepted or ignored. He said chiefs who ignore it may open themselves up to liability and lawsuits.

“If someone gets hurt or killed everybody is going to be looking at what you’ve been doing with your building, why you didn’t use due diligence and take care of these students,” he said. “They are going to say you didn’t keep records or do inspections.”

Professional engineering services run around $5,000, Frame said.

5 Live-Fire Training Center Inspections Tips

• If there is damage done, it must be inspected immediately per NFPA.
• Training structures must be compliant with OSHA, even rappelling rings inspected.
• Visible rust means the structure may no longer be safe. Structural integrity must be investigated.
• Inspect the concrete floor where fires are started. Cracked floors create a trip hazard.
• Safety chains around roof guard rails must be 42 inches high.