Fire Safety Issues and Code Violations in Colorado

For a residential or commercial building in Colorado to be reasonably safe for guests and visitors, it must comply with certain safety codes. The owner of the property has a legal responsibility to prevent foreseeable safety risks, including fire hazards. If a property owner is negligent or falls short of this duty of care, he or she can be held responsible if a fire occurs on the premises as an outcome.

Common Fire Safety Hazards

Colorado follows the International Fire Code (IFC) and its own building codes established by the State Buildings Program (SBP) to ensure the safety of residential properties, businesses and public buildings. If a property owner is negligent and ignores building codes, this increases the risk of various fire safety issues.

Examples include:

• Electrical hazards, such as outdated or exposed wiring
• Overloaded circuits or outlets
• Improper use of extension cords
• Electrical code violations
• Poorly maintained heating equipment, such as furnaces and fireplaces
• Improperly stored flammable materials or liquids
• Using a building for the wrong purpose (zoning violations)
• Blocked or obstructed exits
• Faulty or missing fire protection systems
• Expired or missing fire extinguishers
• Neglected fire alarm or sprinkler maintenance

Local fire departments are responsible for inspecting properties and enforcing fire codes. If a property owner becomes aware of a fire code violation, he or she must address the issue immediately. The failure to do so could result in penalties. It may also lead to a personal injury claim if a fire occurs and someone gets hurt or killed.

How to Report a Building Code Violation in Colorado

If you notice a potential fire hazard or building code violation in the place where you live or work, it is important to report it so that you and others do not get hurt. Start by notifying someone who is responsible for the building, such as a manager or supervisor. Then, report the violation to the Denver Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division at (720) 913-3474 so that they can enforce fire safety codes.

Document the code violation for your own records. If the property owner or manager fails to remedy the fire hazard within a reasonable amount of time, report this to the fire department, as well. The owner of the building can be forced to make repairs or face penalties. If a fire or another dangerous situation arises because of a code violation, discuss your legal rights as an injured victim with a personal injury lawyer in Denver.

What You Can Learn During a Legal Consultation With a Premises Liability Lawyer

A code violation in Colorado is proof of a property owner’s negligence, or the failure to act in a manner that a reasonable and prudent landowner would have in the same circumstances. Negligence can give an injured victim grounds to file a premises liability claim in Denver if a fire or another incident occurs.

When you contact a Denver premises liability attorney, he or she can listen to your accident story to determine if you have grounds for a claim against the owner of a building. If so, the lawyer can take over insurance claim negotiations to fight for a settlement that covers the full extent of your losses, including any property that was damaged in the fire and medical care for your injuries.

With help from the right attorney, you can hold a building owner in Denver accountable for a building code violation and related fire. Request a free case consultation to learn more when you contact Fang Accident Lawyers.