Staff members from a local agency are helping prevent emergencies.
Prince William County Fire Marshal Matt Smolsky provided suggestions and answered questions at a Policy Committee meeting.
Hosted by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, the discussion took place in Manassas last week.
The Fire Marshal’s Office seeks to prevent fires by reviewing plans, and through investigations and inspections, according to the county’s website.
“As I talk to business owners – we’re doing it for your benefit to make sure everything’s right for your business, you’re getting quality work from your contractors … we’re actually working for you,” Smolsky said.
Plan review times and smoke detectors are a couple of topics Smolsky covered.
Prince William County has a smoke detector ordinance, which requires landlords to have smoke detectors in residential spaces.
“You are required to test that on an annual basis to make sure it works,” Smolsky said. “You are required to communicate to your lessee their requirements – that they cannot damage and remove it, take the battery out.”
He also emphasized the need for businesses to offer open exits.
“In [an] event of an emergency, you don’t want your exits blocked, you don’t want your rear exits blocked,” Smolsky said. “You want clear access and you want to get the people out.”
