The Checklist - Business Pre-Fire Inspection, printed as the Business Owner Fire Inspection Checklist, is a guide from Murrieta Fire & Rescue that helps building and business owners fix common fire code violations. It has eight items on the front page and seven building-owner maintenance items on the reverse, with code sections from the 2025 California Fire Code. Anyone researching a Murrieta business license will see a Business License Inspection listed among the city's Fire inspection pages; this checklist is a separate self-check document. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by the city at murrietaca.gov.
Last updated
What is Checklist - Business Pre-Fire Inspection – Murrieta, CA?
The Checklist - Business Pre-Fire Inspection, printed on the form as the Business Owner Fire Inspection Checklist, is a Murrieta Fire & Rescue document that lists commonly found fire code violations so building and business owners can correct them.
Murrieta Fire & Rescue says it developed the checklist to assist owners and describes it as a short list, not an all-inclusive one. The code sections cited are from the 2025 California Fire Code unless noted, and several items cite California Code of Regulations Title 19 or Murrieta Ordinance 626-25.
The front page has eight checkbox items:
- Fire Extinguishers
- Exit Lighting
- Address Posting
- Exiting
- Electrical Hazards
- Storage
- Hood Extinguishing System
- High-Pile Storage Racks
The reverse, titled Building Owner Maintenance Responsibility, has seven more: Fire Sprinkler Maintenance, Fire Alarm Maintenance, Private Fire Hydrant Maintenance, Fire Protection Equipment, Fire Lanes, Knox Box and Electronic Record Keeping. The reverse explains that the Fire Code places responsibility for maintaining fire protection systems on building owners.
The document is a checklist only: it prints no signature block, no submission address and no fee. Its revision date is 11/15/2025. The city's Fire forms page lists it under "Guidelines and Checklists" next to other guidelines and checklists.
Who needs to file Checklist - Business Pre-Fire Inspection – Murrieta, CA?
Building owners and business owners in Murrieta are the audience the form names: it was developed to assist them in fixing common fire code violations.
- Business owners and occupants: use the front page to check extinguishers, exit lighting, address posting, exits, electrical hazards, storage, kitchen hood systems and high-pile storage racks.
- Building owners: the reverse page states that the Fire Code places responsibility for maintaining fire protection systems on building owners. It covers sprinklers, fire alarms, private hydrants, fire lanes, Knox Box keys and electronic record keeping.
- Owners of high-pile storage racks: item 8 applies to them. It refers to a permit from Murrieta Building and Safety and to approved plans.
- Businesses with a kitchen hood: item 7 applies where a hood suppression system exists.
The checklist says it is not all-inclusive and does not replace the full fire code. It does not name any person who must sign it or file it with the city.
When to file Checklist - Business Pre-Fire Inspection – Murrieta, CA
The checklist has no due date and no filing step; it is a self-check guide, so you can use it whenever you want to review your building or business against common fire code items. Several items carry their own intervals:
- Extinguishers must be tagged by a licensed fire protection contractor within the last year or stamped with the current year.
- Hood suppression systems must be serviced at least every 6 months.
- Private fire hydrants must be tested and inspected annually and every 5 years.
- Fire alarm systems are tested and maintained per NFPA 72 (2025), including weekly, monthly and annual tasks.
Where a test or inspection does not pass, the checklist says the correction must be made and the inspection report uploaded to the compliance engine.
Documents you need
- Copy of the permit for installation of high-pile storage racks from Murrieta Building and Safety, retained by the owner; applies only if you have high-pile storage racks (item 8a).
- Copy of the approved high-pile storage plans, provided and retained; applies only if you have high-pile storage racks (item 8b).
- Permit for high-pile storage as originally approved through Murrieta Fire & Rescue; applies only if you have high-pile storage racks (item 8c).
- Required test and inspection records for fire sprinkler systems, kept available to the fire code official at all times.
- Fire alarm testing and maintenance reports, kept on-site under NFPA 72 (2025) and available to the fire code official at all times.
- Inspection report for any sprinkler or fire alarm work that did not pass an initial test or inspection, uploaded to the compliance engine at www.thecomplianceengine.com.
How to fill out Checklist - Business Pre-Fire Inspection – Murrieta, CA
Download the current checklist
Open the PDF (Rev. 11/15/2025). It has a front page and a reverse page headed Building Owner Maintenance Responsibility, each with checkbox items.
Check extinguishers and exit lighting
Front page items 1 and 2: confirm extinguisher gauges, tags, access and mounting, then exit sign illumination, 90 minutes of backup power and egress lighting. Mark each box that applies to your space.
Check address posting and exits
Items 3 and 4: confirm the commercial address is 12" in height, two inches wide and horizontal, and that exit doors open from the interior with one operation and are unobstructed.
Check electrical hazards and storage
Items 5 and 6: confirm electrical disconnect and room signs, equipment clearance of 30" wide and 36" deep, no permanent extension cords, and storage clear of mechanical rooms and ceilings.
Check hood system and storage racks
Item 7: confirm hood suppression servicing every 6 months and grease-free hoods and ducts. Item 8: for high-pile racks, confirm you hold the permit and approved plans.
Review sprinkler and alarm maintenance
Reverse items 1 and 2: confirm test and inspection records are available, fire alarm reports are on-site and failed inspections are corrected and uploaded to the compliance engine.
Review hydrants, equipment and fire lanes
Reverse items 3 to 5: confirm hydrant testing, blue reflective markers, a three-foot clear space, FDC and PIV signage, and fire lanes of at least 24 feet.
Review Knox Box and record keeping
Reverse items 6 and 7: confirm current keys are in the Knox Box and the fire department is notified after re-keying, and that maintenance forms are filed electronically with The Compliance Engine.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check each marked box against your premises, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and keep it with your maintenance records.
How to submit Checklist - Business Pre-Fire Inspection – Murrieta, CA
The checklist itself has no submission channel: it prints no return address, portal or appointment rule, and it is a guide for owners rather than an application. What it does name are channels for related records:
- Compliance engine upload: inspection reports for sprinkler and fire alarm work that did not pass an initial test or inspection are uploaded to www.thecomplianceengine.com. Maintenance inspection forms for fire protection systems are filed electronically at https://tce-pwa.thecomplianceengine.com/ (Murrieta Ordinance 626-25, 109.3.1).
- Murrieta Fire & Rescue: 41825 Juniper Street, Murrieta, CA 92562; (951) 304-3473 office; (951) 677-6799 fax; www.murrietaca.gov/Fire.
- Fire inspection requests: the city's Fire pages list Request a Fire Inspection, including Business License Inspection; use them for questions about an inspection, not this form.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; any follow-up with the city follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating the checklist as a complete list of fire code requirements; it says it is only a short list of commonly found violations.
- Leaving an extinguisher untagged for more than a year, or unstamped with the current year, or with its gauge not "in the green".
- Mounting an extinguisher with its top more than 5' above the floor, or placing it more than 75' of travel away.
- Using an extension cord as permanent wiring, or leaving open junction boxes or open-wiring splices.
- Keeping storage in a boiler, electrical or mechanical room, or within 24" of the ceiling (18" for sprinklered buildings).
- Using a key-locked interior exit door without the sign reading "THIS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED WHEN THIS SPACE IS OCCUPIED" in 1" lettering.
- Going longer than 6 months between hood suppression system servicing, or letting grease build up in hoods and ducts.
- Marking fire lanes narrower than 24 feet, or without "Fire Lanes - No Parking" at intervals no greater than 30' on the top and face of the curb.
- Not uploading a failed sprinkler or fire alarm inspection report to the compliance engine once the correction is made.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Business Pre-Fire Inspection checklist in Murrieta?
It is a Murrieta Fire & Rescue checklist, printed as the Business Owner Fire Inspection Checklist, that lists commonly found fire code violations so building and business owners can fix them. It is a guide with 15 checkbox items over two pages, not an application.
Is the checklist a complete list of Murrieta fire code requirements?
No. Murrieta Fire & Rescue states it is not an all-inclusive list but a short list of some commonly found violations, and the reverse page says its items are a very select few regulations and not a complete list.
Is this checklist the same as getting a Murrieta business license?
No. The checklist does not mention licensing. The city's Fire pages list a Business License Inspection separately under Request a Fire Inspection. Call Murrieta Fire & Rescue at (951) 304-3473 to ask which inspection applies to your business.
Who is responsible for maintaining fire protection systems?
The reverse page of the checklist says the Fire Code places responsibility for maintaining fire protection systems on building owners. It lists sprinklers, fire alarms, private hydrants, fire protection equipment, fire lanes and the Knox Box.
How often must a kitchen hood suppression system be serviced?
At least every 6 months, according to item 7a, which cites California Code of Regulations Title 19, Division 1, Chapter 5. Item 7b adds that hoods and ducts must be kept free of grease accumulation.
Where do I upload sprinkler or fire alarm inspection reports?
The checklist says reports for work that did not pass an initial test or inspection are uploaded to the compliance engine at www.thecomplianceengine.com. Maintenance inspection forms are filed electronically at The Compliance Engine, citing Murrieta Ordinance 626-25 (109.3.1).
Do I have to send this checklist to the City of Murrieta?
The checklist prints no return address, portal or signature block, so it is a self-check tool rather than a filed form. For questions, contact Murrieta Fire & Rescue at (951) 304-3473 or 41825 Juniper Street, Murrieta, CA 92562.
Can I fill out the Murrieta pre-fire inspection checklist online?
You can fill out the fillable PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, is not connected to the City of Murrieta and does not file or send the checklist to the city.
Ready to fill out Checklist - Business Pre-Fire Inspection – Murrieta, CA?
Fill out Checklist - Business Pre-Fire Inspection – Murrieta, CA now