COMPLIANCE & SAFETY
Inspections
Inspection programs designed to help fire training structures meet NFPA 1400 requirements and support continued safe operation.
NFPA 1400 REQUIREMENTS
Protect the structure. Support safe, ongoing training operations.
NFPA 1400 (2026 Edition) requires the structural integrity of live fire training structures to be evaluated and documented on a regular basis. Annual visual inspections, follow-up inspections and more in-depth periodic inspections all play an important role in helping departments identify issues early and maintain a safe training environment.
When visible structural defects are found — including cracks, rust, spalls or warps in structural floors, columns, beams, walls or metal panels — the owner or operator must arrange for additional evaluation by a licensed professional engineer with experience in live fire training structures.
INSPECTION PROGRAMS
Inspection services built around your structure and training use.
01 — Follow-Up Inspection Program
Required when visible structural defects are identified during annual inspections or routine evaluations.
02 — Non-Gas-Fired/Five Year Inspection Program
A more in-depth inspection program for non-gas-fired live fire training structures.
03 — Gas-Fired/Ten-Year Inspection Program
A comprehensive structural evaluation for gas-fired live fire training structures.
WHY EXPERIENCE MATTERS
Inspections should be performed by qualified professionals.
Inspection services for live fire training structures should be provided by a licensed professional engineer in the state where the inspection is being conducted. Just as important, that engineer should also have knowledge of live fire training structures and the conditions these environments create over time.
Because these structures experience repeated thermal cycling and demanding use, inspection expertise should go beyond general building knowledge alone.
ANNUAL RESPONSIBILITY
Ongoing inspections help identify issues before they grow.
In addition to formal inspection programs, NFPA 1400 also requires the owner of the fire training structure to visually inspect the structure for damage and document that damage before each use to help ensure trainee safety.
If those inspections reveal visible structural concerns, a follow-up evaluation should be scheduled promptly.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Three inspection paths for different facility needs.
Follow-Up Inspection Program
The follow-up inspection program complies with NFPA 1400, Section 8.2, and includes a visual review of exposed structural areas, thermal linings, doors, shutters, stairs, ladders, and fire escapes.
It also includes recommendations for repairs, maintenance, or improvements, along with a formal report documenting the findings.
Non-Gas-Fired/Five Year Inspection Program
In addition to annual and follow-up inspections, non-gas-fired live fire training structures require a more in-depth five-year inspection program.
This evaluation includes the structural integrity of the live fire training structure and may require removal and reinstallation of representative thermal linings to allow inspection of conditions hidden behind those linings.
Gas-Fired/Ten-Year Inspection Program
Gas-fired live fire training structures require a more in-depth ten-year inspection program in addition to annual and follow-up inspections.
This inspection includes evaluation by a licensed professional engineer and may also require representative removal and reinstallation of thermal linings to inspect hidden conditions behind the lining system.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Additional requirements and service limitations.
Note 01
FFI does not provide inspections for calcium aluminate refractory structural concrete, including structures with concrete walls or concrete beams and columns. It also includes recommendations for repairs, maintenance or improvements, along with a formal report documenting the findings.
Note 02
Concrete coring is not provided as part of these inspection programs. Coring is only required on concrete structures with calcium aluminate refractory structural concrete.
Note 03
Owners are responsible for visually inspecting the fire training structure for damage before each use and documenting that damage to help ensure trainee safety.
REQUEST INFORMATION
Need help determining the right inspection program?
Our team can help you understand inspection requirements, identify the appropriate program for your structure, and answer questions about the next steps.