What are Florida fire safety violation codes?

Florida DBPR inspectors cite fire safety violations (codes 45 through 49) during routine food establishment inspections. These codes cover fire extinguishing equipment, emergency exits, electrical safety, gas and boiler equipment, and flammable material storage. Violations are reported to the local fire authority or State Fire Marshal.

How many fire safety codes does Florida DBPR use?

Florida DBPR uses 24 fire safety codes organized into 5 categories: Fire Extinguishing Equipment (45-series), Exits and Egress (46-series), Electrical Safety (47-series), Gas/Boiler/Heating Equipment (48-series), and Flammable Materials (49-series). These are separate from the 58 food safety violation codes.

What happens when a fire safety violation is found during a food inspection?

When a DBPR food inspector observes a fire safety violation, they document it and report it to the local fire authority or the Florida State Fire Marshal under Florida Statute 509.032(2)(d). These are "reporting" violations — the DBPR inspector flags the issue for the fire authority to follow up on, as fire code enforcement is handled by the State Fire Marshal, not DBPR.

What is the most common fire violation in Florida restaurants?

The most commonly cited fire code is 45-02-4 (Extinguisher gauge in red zone), followed by 46-01-4 (Exit/path to exit blocked) and 48-04-4 (Propane tank stored inside building). Fire extinguisher issues account for the largest share of all fire safety citations.

Florida Fire Safety Violation Codes

Overview

Florida DBPR inspectors cite 24 fire safety codes (45–49 series) during routine food establishment inspections, with 22,832 total citations in our records. These are separate from the 58 food safety violation codes. Fire violations are reported to the local fire authority or State Fire Marshal under Florida Statute 509.032(2)(d) for enforcement follow-up.

Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records.

24Fire Codes

5Categories

22,832Total Citations

DBPR Fire SafetyReporting

Fire Extinguishing Equipment (45-Series)

Fire extinguisher maintenance, mounting, accessibility, and hood suppression system requirements. These are the most commonly cited fire violations in Florida food establishments.

45-01-4: Extinguisher not mounted/installed properly Fire Safety

Portable fire extinguisher is not properly mounted on a wall bracket or in an approved cabinet at the designated height and location per NFPA 10 standards.

45-02-4: Extinguisher gauge in red zone Fire Safety

Portable fire extinguisher pressure gauge indicates the unit is not properly charged — the needle is in the red (undercharged or overcharged) zone rather than the green (operational) zone.

45-03-4: Fire suppression system/alarm issue Fire Safety

Fire alarm control panel trouble light is illuminated, fire suppression system has a deficiency, or portable fire extinguisher is inaccessible due to being in a locked cabinet without a means of access.

45-04-4: No hood suppression system installed Fire Safety

Use of cooking equipment producing grease-laden vapors or smoke without a required hood suppression system installed. Fire Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) notified.

45-05-4: Extinguisher missing from designated location Fire Safety

Portable fire extinguisher is missing from its designated location — the mounting bracket is empty or the extinguisher has been removed and not returned.

45-06-4: Extinguisher inaccessible/blocked Fire Safety

Portable fire extinguisher is present but inaccessible — blocked by equipment, storage, boxes, or other items preventing immediate access during an emergency.

Exits and Egress (46-Series)

Emergency exit accessibility, clear exit paths, and door operation requirements. Blocked or locked exits are among the most dangerous fire safety violations.

46-01-4: Exit/path to exit blocked Fire Safety

Marked exit or the path to a marked exit is blocked by equipment, furniture, storage, or other obstructions preventing clear egress during an emergency.

46-02-4: Exit door blocked by equipment Fire Safety

An exit door is blocked or partially blocked by equipment such as fryers, coolers, shelving, or other large items preventing the door from opening fully or being reached.

46-03-4: Exit door blocked by stored items Fire Safety

An exit door is blocked by stored items such as boxes, racks, tables, chairs, or other movable objects preventing clear egress.

46-04-4: Exit door locked/not openable from inside Fire Safety

An exit door is locked, chained, or otherwise secured in a way that prevents it from being opened from the inside without a key or special knowledge during business hours.

Electrical Safety (47-Series)

Electrical wiring condition, outlet maintenance, and evidence of electrical hazards. Electrical problems are a leading cause of commercial building fires.

47-01-4: Electrical wiring hazard/exposed wires Fire Safety

Observed frayed, spliced, or exposed electrical wiring, or missing electrical cover plates creating a shock and fire hazard.

47-02-4: Scorch marks around electrical outlet Fire Safety

Observed scorch marks, burn marks, or discoloration around an electrical outlet, switch, or panel indicating overheating, arcing, or prior electrical fire.

47-03-4: Electrical wiring/outlets in disrepair Fire Safety

Observed electrical wiring in disrepair — missing outlet covers, broken switches, improperly grounded outlets, hanging wires, or other general electrical maintenance deficiencies.

Gas, Boiler, and Heating Equipment (48-Series)

Boiler inspections, gas equipment safety, propane storage, and fuel-burning equipment requirements.

48-01-4: No current boiler inspection report (inspector's) Fire Safety

No current insurance inspector's boiler report or boiler certificate available for the boiler on the premises.

48-01-5: No current boiler certificate available Fire Safety

No current insurance inspector boiler report or boiler certificate available for the boiler. This is the most commonly cited boiler violation, distinct from 48-01-4 by the reporting period in which it was cited.

48-02-4: Boiler report not posted in boiler room (inspector's) Fire Safety

Insurance inspector's boiler report exists but is not posted in the boiler room as required by Florida Administrative Code.

48-02-5: Boiler report not posted in boiler room Fire Safety

Insurance inspector boiler report exists but is not posted in the boiler room. This is the reporting-period variant of 48-02-4.

48-03-4: Fuel-burning equipment used improperly indoors Fire Safety

Fuel-burning wick-type equipment used for space heating inside an enclosed area without proper venting, or propane/gas cooking units used in unapproved indoor or semi-enclosed locations.

48-04-4: Propane tank stored inside building Fire Safety

Propane tank larger than 2.7 lb. water capacity (1 lb. gas capacity) located inside the building, creating a fire and explosion hazard.

Flammable Materials and Storage (49-Series)

Proper storage of flammable materials, keeping utility and boiler rooms clear of combustibles, and maintaining safe distances from ignition sources.

49-01-4: Flammables/debris in utility room Fire Safety

Flammable materials stored or debris present in a meter room, water heater room, or similar utility space where ignition sources are present.

49-02-4: Flammables/debris in storage areas Fire Safety

Flammable materials or debris improperly stored in attics, basements, dry storage, dishwashing areas, or other non-utility spaces creating a fire hazard.

49-03-4: Flammables/debris in boiler/heater room Fire Safety

Flammable materials stored or debris present in the boiler room or water heater room, in close proximity to high-temperature equipment and open flames.

49-04-4: Flammables/debris in laundry/other room Fire Safety

Flammable materials or debris present in laundry rooms, storage rooms, or other areas where fire safety standards require clean, debris-free conditions.

49-05-4: Flammables stored near ignition source Fire Safety

Flammable materials stored near or in contact with a source of ignition such as a stove, grill, water heater, pilot light, or electrical equipment.

Food Safety Violation Codes (V01–V58)

Looking for food safety violations? Florida DBPR uses 58 separate violation codes for food safety covering temperature control, sanitation, pest control, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Florida fire safety violation codes?: Florida DBPR inspectors cite fire safety violations (codes 45 through 49) during routine food establishment inspections. These codes cover fire extinguishing equipment, emergency exits, electrical safety, gas and boiler equipment, and flammable material storage. Violations are reported to the local fire authority or State Fire Marshal.
How many fire safety codes does Florida DBPR use?: Florida DBPR uses 24 fire safety codes organized into 5 categories: Fire Extinguishing Equipment (45-series), Exits and Egress (46-series), Electrical Safety (47-series), Gas/Boiler/Heating Equipment (48-series), and Flammable Materials (49-series). These are separate from the 58 food safety violation codes.
What happens when a fire safety violation is found during a food inspection?: When a DBPR food inspector observes a fire safety violation, they document it and report it to the local fire authority or the Florida State Fire Marshal under Florida Statute 509.032(2)(d). These are "reporting" violations — the DBPR inspector flags the issue for the fire authority to follow up on, as fire code enforcement is handled by the State Fire Marshal, not DBPR.
What is the most common fire violation in Florida restaurants?: The most commonly cited fire code is 45-02-4 (Extinguisher gauge in red zone), followed by 46-01-4 (Exit/path to exit blocked) and 48-04-4 (Propane tank stored inside building). Fire extinguisher issues account for the largest share of all fire safety citations.

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