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Chicago Office of Inspector General
Home > Publications > Audit of Chicago Fire Department’s Annual Fire Prevention Inspections and Tests

Audit of Chicago Fire Department’s Annual Fire Prevention Inspections and Tests

October 23, 2025

Summary

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted an audit of the annual inspection and testing processes of the Chicago Fire Department’s (CFD) Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB).

Executive Summary

The objectives of the audit were to determine whether FPB,

  1. conducts annual inspections that are required to ensure compliance with the Fire Code and protect against the loss of life and property;
  2. maintains a proper record of fire safety inspections as required by Municipal Code of Chicago (MCC) § 2-36-280(a);
  3. notifies property owners of noncompliance and conducts re-check inspections of known issues; and
  4. ensures that independent contractors complete required annual tests of fire sprinklers, fire pumps, and standpipes.
Audit of Chicago Fire Department’s Annual Fire Prevention Inspections and Tests - publication cover