Weekly Fire Safety Checklist
Purpose
To provide a weekly checklist of inspection which staff in a residential unit can use to check
fire safety.
Instructions
Tick or mark the appropriate box as you check each item. Should the item being checked
appear to be damaged or you are unsure that its condition appears normal, mark the
“action required” box and report the item to the maintenance company on the designated
emergency call number.
Any ‘Action Required’ must be reported to fire equipment maintenance contractor (for
items 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 & 7) or Line Manager (for items 4, 8 & 9).
File completed checklist for reference and for use when compiling the annual fire safety
compliance certificate.
Fire Extinguishers
For a fire extinguisher to be “ready to use”:
 each fire extinguisher should be fitted with a safety pin and security tie
 the indicator needle should be in the green section
Sprinkler Heads
A damaged sprinkler head may not operate correctly by:
 not operating immediately if it is damaged
 not resisting water pressure fluctuations
Over a period of time, or when there is a sudden increase in water pressure, the sprinkler
head seal may fail and begin to slowly leak or fully operate spraying water into the room.
Therefore it is important that any obvious damage is reported immediately so that a
technician can check the sprinkler head.
Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms with obvious damage will not function or work correctly, which means they
may not detect smoke or alert occupants
External Sprinkler Control Cabinet (if applicable) – Must be kept locked at all
times
The external sprinkler control cabinet is a switchboard type metal cabinet located either at
the front or side of the building. Reading and recording the water pressure on the gauge
on the checklist will assist with monitoring water supply pressure to the sprinkler system.
Should the pressure vary beyond pre-determined limits, action can then be taken to
upgrade the water supply. These measurements are taken over an extended period of
time.
Note for Disability facilities: A schedule of essential routine safety checks
(including fire safety equipment checks) should be provided to all residents (e.g.
on Notice boards), and residents should be reminded the day before the check is
to occur (verbally).
Information on routine safety checks could be included in the Residential
Statement and also mentioned in 'house meetings'.
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Weekly Fire Safety Checklist
Visual inspection
Site Address: ………………………………………………………………
Date…………………..… Checked by (print name) ……………………………………………..
1. Smoke Alarms
Checked 




2. Fire Extinguisher
Action required 
Checked 
All smoke alarms appear to be mounted correctly
No obvious damage to a smoke alarm
Alarms NOT painted
Green indicator light is on all smoke alarms
3. Fire Blanket
Checked 




4. Evacuation Packs & Evacuation Plan
Action required 
Checked 
Fire blanket is securely mounted in its designated
position
Fire blanket easily obtainable in an emergency
No obvious damage to the fire blanket
The fire blanket has not been used
Note: Fire blanket & bag should only be checked externally and blanket should
not be removed from bag
6. Fire Indicator Panel
Checked 
Checked 




Action required 
Sprinkler heads have at least 500mm clearance around
them
Sprinkler heads and covers NOT painted, and free of
unrelated attachments or decorations
No obvious damage to the sprinkler heads or exposed
pipe work
No sign of water leaking from any sprinkler heads
Flat or conical disk concealing a sprinkler head has not
been damaged or dislodged
Staff should randomly test 1 smoke alarm individually by depressing the smoke
alarm test button once. This test is done to ensure that they work correctly.
 Test the Alarm Interlink
Hold down the test button on any smoke alarm for more than 3 seconds. This is
to check if all other smoke alarms operate simultaneously when any one smoke
alarm has been activated).
8. Exits and Exit Paths
Checked 
Checked 
Water
pressure
Top Gauge =
Bottom gauge =
Open the cabinet using the “003” coded key
 No loose or disconnected wires
 No obvious damage or water leaking
 Record the water pressure indicated on the pressure
gauge.
Note: If there are two pressure gauges, they may read differently. If the lower
pressure reading falls below 250kPa, contact the Maintenance Help Desk.
Action required 
 Fault or Isolate lights are NOT “on”
 Testing the Smoke Alarms
7. External Sprinkler Control Cabinet (if applicable)
Action required 
Action required 
 Evacuation pack located in designated location
 Contents and information on people is current
 Contents checklist signed (Disability Services only)
 Evacuation Plan is displayed & located as per emergency
procedures
5. Sprinkler Heads (if applicable)

Action required 
 Fire extinguisher/s located in their designated location
and securely mounted
 Fire extinguisher/s easily obtainable in an emergency
 Fire extinguisher has the safety pin and security tie
intact.
 Indicator needle on the gauge in the green sector
Action required 
Internal
 All paths to exits are clear, not obstructed or restricted
 Exit doors are easy to open (i.e. doors do not jam)
 Designated primary and secondary exits are able to be
opened from inside without a key (not applicable if door
strikes fitted to those doors)
 Master keys carried by staff at all times
External
 There are no obstructions or hazards along the path
which may hinder or injure persons evacuating
 Paths to the designated assembly areas are clear and
easy to follow
 Gates are able to be opened from inside without a key
(not applicable if door strikes fitted to those doors)
9. Fire Prevention – Housekeeping
Checked 
Action required 
Internal
 Rubbish is stored and disposed of in appropriate containers until removed
 Paper or clothing is not allowed to accumulate inside (eg newspaper allowed to stack up, piles of clothing stored in
rooms, etc)
 Designated walkways and passages are clear
 Smoking items stored appropriately and ashtrays emptied and cleaned regularly
 Combustible materials are kept away from hot elements (eg tea towels kept away from the stove)
 Lint filters on dryers clean
External
 Garden is maintained so it is not overgrown
 Rubbish or other combustible materials has not accumulated
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