The Test Was Never Done: What Missed Fire Safety Inspections Mean for Your Liability

By Anthony I. Shin, Esq. | Civil Litigation | Shin Law Office

Missed Fire Safety Inspections in Loudoun & Fairfax: What Property Owners Must Know

Let me tell you something I see more often than I should: a business owner calls me after buying a commercial property in Loudoun or Fairfax County.

Everything looked fine on the surface, but a few months in, they discovered the fire alarm system wasn’t even monitored.

No inspections on file.

No Test & Inspect reports.

Nothing.

This isn’t just sloppy paperwork.

It’s a legal and financial time bomb.

You Bought It—But the Safety System Was Never Checked

Most commercial buyers assume the building they’re buying has been adequately maintained, especially when it comes to fire alarms and life safety systems.

After all, who would risk exposing themselves to tenants, employees, and legal liability?

But here’s the truth:
Some sellers cut corners.

Some developers rush projects.

And some inspectors?

They miss big things—or worse, never check at all.

Suppose your building’s fire alarm system hasn’t been tested or documented with an annual report.

In that case, you may already be out of compliance with Virginia code and local ordinances in places like Leesburg, Ashburn, Reston, or Tysons.

Missed Test & Inspect Reports = Missed Disclosure Obligations

When a seller or agent fails to provide documentation showing the fire system was tested and passed inspection, they may have just exposed themselves to a serious legal claim.

And if your insurance policy requires proof of fire system maintenance, which most do, you could be left holding the bag if there’s a fire or inspection failure.

I’ve had clients in both Loudoun and Fairfax:

  • Surprise citations from the Fire Marshal
  • Skyrocketing insurance premiums
  • Costly system upgrades after the fact
  • Lost tenants due to noncompliance issues
  • Lawsuits after a safety incident

You Have Legal Options: Here’s What I Do

When this happens, I get to work immediately. We start by:

  • Reviewing the sales documents and disclosures
  • Requesting all known inspection and monitoring records
  • Identifying who had a legal duty to inspect and report
  • Preparing claims against the seller, broker, or third-party inspector (if applicable)

Sometimes we negotiate a fast resolution.

Sometimes we file suit.

Either way, the goal is the same: to make your building safe and hold the responsible party accountable for the problem they created or failed to prevent.

Don’t Wait for a Violation Notice

If you’re a commercial property owner in Fairfax or Loudoun and you’ve never seen a Test & Inspect report for your building’s fire alarm system, now is the time to act.

Because once the Fire Marshal arrives or something goes wrong, your liability and exposure will be much harder to manage.

Let’s get it reviewed, inspected, and—if needed—corrected.

I’ll help you hold the right people accountable before it costs you more.

Call Shin Law Office at 571-445-6565 or book online today!

— Anthony I. Shin, Esq.
Principal Attorney | Shin Law Office

Civil Litigation Leesburg, VA | Loudoun County Attorneys

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