Your fire plan reviews are piling up. Project timelines keep slipping. And your team is working overtime just to stay afloat.
Sound familiar?
If you're a fire marshal, building official, or community development director right now, you're likely facing the same challenge: more inspections than your team can handle, and no easy way to catch up.
Fire protection systems have become increasingly complex, but your staffing levels have not kept pace. Here's what most fire departments are juggling:
Experienced inspectors are retiring, and finding qualified replacements takes months.
Data centers, distribution facilities, and industrial plants require specialized expertise that doesn't come up every day.
Schools and commercial properties need regular compliance checks, regardless of your backlog.
Construction hasn't slowed down, but your capacity to review plans has.
When these pressures collide, backlogs grow. Projects stall. Developers get frustrated. And your team absorbs the stress.
Delayed inspections don't just frustrate developers. They create real consequences:
You can't compromise on safety to move faster. But you also can't keep telling stakeholders to wait indefinitely.
You don't need to overhaul your entire operation to make progress. Here's what's working for departments in your position:
Create clear checklists for common system types. Consistent procedures speed up reviews and make it easier to onboard support when needed.
Fast-track simple projects so you can focus your expertise on complex systems. Not every review requires the same level of scrutiny.
When specialized projects land on your desk, consider bringing in certified experts who regularly handle these systems. They can complete thorough reviews quickly while your team focuses on routine work.
Temporary support during busy seasons helps you maintain service levels without the fixed cost of permanent staff. Look for partners who understand local codes and work within your existing processes.
Your inspection backlog doesn't have to be permanent. With the right support, you can clear the queue, maintain compliance, and keep projects moving forward.
SAFEbuilt's certified fire specialists integrate with your team to provide:
Whether you need surge support during busy periods or specialized expertise for complex systems, we help you stay on schedule without compromising safety.
Let's have a quick chat and see how we can support your community.
Click here for a 5-minute consultation.