The Clark County council unanimously approved an ordinance on Tuesday that will increase the frequency of fire safety inspections of businesses located in unincorporated areas of the county.
Under the current code, inspectors conduct annual inspections only of businesses that are at a higher risk of catching fire such as schools, medical centers, hotels and motels, as well as manufacturing facilities and other companies that use certain flammable chemicals or materials.
Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway told The Columbian that under the current code only a quarter of businesses in Clark County are inspected. The new ordinance is intended to introduce periodic inspections to all businesses in the unincorporated parts of the county.