Before the First Bell: Behind the Scenes of School Safety Inspections
“Our team produces a game plan before every inspection. We break the building down into device groups and work together to make sure every square foot of the school is inspected properly.”
While students enjoy summer break, another busy season is well underway.
Across schools throughout the region, Communication Company's inspection team is walking hallways, opening electrical rooms, testing fire alarm devices, documenting system performance, and helping ensure life safety systems are ready before students and teachers return.
It's work that rarely receives much attention—but it plays an essential role in helping schools begin each academic year safely and confidently.
For many districts, summer is the ideal time to complete annual inspections before classrooms fill and daily routines resume. During these few short months, Communication Company's inspectors move from building to building, working closely with school personnel to verify that fire alarm systems are functioning properly, meet applicable code requirements, and are ready to perform when they're needed most.
While every school is different, one thing remains the same: successful inspections require planning, communication, teamwork, and attention to detail.
To learn more about what goes into preparing schools before the first bell, we asked three members of our inspection team to share their perspectives.
Meet the Inspectors
Three inspectors. Three perspectives. One shared goal.
Every summer, Communication Company's inspection team helps prepare schools throughout the region for another safe school year. We asked three members of the team to share what goes into the work—and what they wish more schools knew about their life safety systems.
Mike Kirk
What does a typical summer inspection day look like?
"Typical day is planned before inspection. Our team produces a game plan to break down the building into device groups, and we all work together to make sure every square foot of the school we're inspecting is inspected properly."
How do you stay organized during such a busy season?
"I keep up on everyday tasks so I don't fall behind, and keeping my truck stocked and cleaned helps me."
What safety tip would you give every school?
"Make sure to have a printout of the proper inspection guidelines and fire drill procedures. Every school is different."
Gabe Goodger
How do you stay organized during such a busy season?
"Making sure I have a game plan before arriving on site and coordinating with my coworkers and the customer so everything flows smoothly."
What safety tip would you give every school?
“Learn more about your fire alarm system, while they may not be authorized to work on the system itself, they could save themselves a lot of money in labor hours if they’re aware of what the problem is prior to sending out an Inspector/Tech.”
What’s your favorite part about working at Communication Company?
“The flexibility that CCSB offers is unmatched, along with the company being more laid back than others and trusting their inspectors, and the people that I communicate with in the office feel more like a family than co-workers.”
Isaiah Clark
How do you determine whether a fire alarm system is ready to protect a building?
“This is determined by whether the integrity of the system meets code compliance and of course is functionally operational.?
What does a typical day look like during the summer school season?
“Typical days during summer school season can become hectic with the number of buildings in a school system and the time given to complete these buildings. Overall becomes easier as you get closer to the last day, as long as you’re ahead of the game and on track.
Personally, it at times can become a mental burden which is dependent on how much time I as lead must take when it comes to aiding other inspectors with issues or questions that arise on top of completing my tasks at hand. Some days more than others, and vice versa.”
What safety tip would you give to every school or building owner?
“A safety tip I would recommend for a lot of schools is basic training on how to work the head end of their fire system. I have arrived at many schools where the main custodian or maintenance personnel do not even know what the panel looks like, let alone why it is beeping or how to acknowledge, silence, etc.”
More Than an Annual Inspection
Although each inspector described the job from a different perspective, several common themes emerged.
Preparation begins long before inspectors arrive on site. Every building presents its own unique challenges, and every successful inspection depends on careful planning, communication, and teamwork.
The interviews also highlighted something many facility managers may not realize: understanding the basics of a fire alarm system can make a meaningful difference.
Whether it's knowing where the fire alarm panel is located, understanding what a trouble condition means, or recognizing when it's time to call for service, even a basic familiarity with the system can help school personnel respond more confidently and efficiently.
Routine inspections provide more than code compliance. They offer an opportunity to identify potential concerns before they become larger issues, answer questions, and help schools better understand the life safety systems they rely on every day.
Working Together Behind the Scenes
One theme came through in every conversation with the inspection team: teamwork.
Whether coordinating inspections across multiple campuses, helping another inspector troubleshoot an unexpected issue, or working together to stay on schedule during one of the busiest times of the year, collaboration is part of every inspection.
It's also one of the things the team values most about working at Communication Company.
That collaboration extends beyond our own employees. Throughout the summer, inspectors work closely with school administrators, maintenance teams, and facility staff to complete inspections efficiently while minimizing disruptions and helping schools prepare for another successful academic year.
Most students, teachers, and parents will never think about the inspections completed during the summer months—and that's exactly the goal.
When life safety systems are properly inspected, tested, and maintained, they quietly do the job they were designed to do, allowing schools to focus on what matters most: providing a safe learning environment.
Preparedness Doesn't Stop at Schools
While summer school inspections are a seasonal priority, the same philosophy applies across every type of facility.
Whether supporting healthcare organizations, commercial buildings, manufacturing facilities, or educational campuses, proactive inspections, testing, and preventive maintenance help ensure critical life safety systems are ready when they're needed most.
At Communication Company, we believe preparedness begins long before an emergency occurs. Through inspections, testing, preventive maintenance, and ongoing support, our team helps organizations stay connected, compliant, and prepared year-round.
Ready to Prepare Your School for the Year Ahead?
From fire alarm inspections and emergency communications to access control, video surveillance, and ongoing system support, Communication Company helps K-12 schools create safer, more connected learning environments. Whether you're planning for the upcoming school year or looking to keep your life safety systems operating reliably year-round, we're here to help.
