The short version: a deficiency notice lists what needs fixing and the date it must be fixed by. Sort the items into three piles: what you can fix yourself today, what a fire-safety company fixes (extinguishers, emergency lights, exit signs), and what needs another trade (alarms, sprinklers). Book early, the date is a deadline, not a start date.
A fire inspector came through, and now you have a sheet of paper with a list and a date on it. It's normal, and most notices are quick to clear.
What a deficiency notice is
After a fire inspection, the inspector writes down anything that doesn't meet the fire code and gives you a date to correct it by. If items are still open at the follow-up, it can turn into an order, so it's worth handling quickly.
The most common items
| On the notice | What it usually means | Who fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Extinguishers not serviced in the last 12 months | The yearly inspection and tag is overdue | A fire-safety company |
| Emergency light failed duration test | The battery can't keep the light on long enough | A fire-safety company |
| Exit sign not illuminated | A lamp, battery or the sign itself needs replacing | A fire-safety company |
| Exit obstructed | Something is in the way of a way out | You |
| Fire door propped or wedged open | A door meant to close on its own is being held open | You |
| Storage too close to the ceiling or sprinklers | Stock or boxes stacked too high | You |
| Fire alarm inspection certificate not available | No proof the alarm was tested this year | A fire alarm company |
Fix your own items today
The "you" items are free and fast: clear the exits, take the wedge out from under the fire door, move stock down from near the ceiling. Do these first, then keep them that way. Inspectors notice when they come back.
Get the rest booked before the date
Send the notice to the companies that handle each kind of item at the same time, so nobody's waiting on anyone else. For extinguishers, emergency lighting and exit signs, that's us. We'll fix what we can on one visit and give you a signed report that matches the notice item by item, so you can show it's done.
If your notice lists fire alarm or sprinkler items, we'll tell you plainly, so you can line up that company right away.
Read your notice in plain words
Our free deficiency notice reader does the sorting for you: snap a photo of the notice and it explains every item, marks who fixes it, and shows how many days you have left. When you're ready, book the fixes right from the results.