1,700 fire safety violations: Wake County schools cited for failing to inspect fire alarms, sprinklers

In the first seven months of 2024, the Wake County Fire Marshal’s Office conducted nearly 250 inspection at schools in Wake County.

In 70 of those inspections, more than 25%, inspectors cited schools for failing to have annual inspections of their sprinkler and/or alarm systems.

WRAL Investigates received the inspections following a public records request from Wake County. Other findings of note:

“That’s shocking,” Broughton High School student William Harrell told us about the findings. His school was among those with a sprinkler system that needed an inspection. His friend, Canaan Bage, agreed “People should stay safe, stay safe, stay up to date with their stuff.”

While the 1,700 violations is alarming, it’s actually an improvement from the last time WRAL Investigates analyzed the inspection reports. In the same seven months of last year, schools totaled more than 2,700 infractions.

High schools, based on their size, were cited for the most violations.

Here’s a breakdown of the worst performing schools based on their level:

High Schools

Middle Schools

Elementary Schools

“Any violation that has been identified in any facility is a big deal,” said Jason Shepherd, who is a former fire marshal in Durham.

Shepherd helped walk us through some common violations and how each one plays a part in a school’s fire protection system.

About missing ceiling tiles, Shepherd said, “So, it’s like having a hole in a fire door or fire wall.”

The tiles help contain fires. If one’s missing, the flames can escape to other parts of the building,

Multiple schools were cited for having too much artwork on the walls. While it’s obvious that would be an issue because all of that paper is easily combustible, Shepherd had another take.

“If someone decides to light it up it’s just going to go and that’s the passageway to get these kids out," Shepherd said. "So, that is a big deal.”

The final common issue that doesn’t sound like a major issue was the overuse of extension cords. Shepherd saidon a temporary basis, extension cords are fine. When they’re used as a permanent form of power, that’s where the trouble comes in.

“Anything that you’re going to overheat and put too much energy into it could be a problem, it’s a potential fire,” he explained.

Turns out West Cary Middle is just one of 25 schools in the system with buildings that don’t have sprinkler or standpipe systems, according to the Wake County School System. Shepherd says even if schools were built before sprinklers were required, the building should still include firefighting mechanisms, like fire walls. However, he notes a single violation could put a school’s fire safety protection system at risk. Those without sprinklers and violations have less room for error.

WRAL Investigates also asked the school system about why 25% of schools inspected had expired sprinkler or fire alarm inspections. The system acknowledged the problem, saying "Contracts for performing necessary inspections were not completed in a timely manner. We are currently addressing these deficiencies... using multiple vendors." The cost to catch up- $40,000.

Paying for expedited inspections is one thing. Covering the cost of repairing any issues the fire marshal’s office finds is another challenge. Earlier this month, the system’s facilities chief said there are $750 million in repair and renovation needs in Wake schools. However, just a fraction of that is budgeted over the next couple of years.

As a former fire marshal and parent of student in a public school, Shepherd hopes fire safety fixes are a top priority before it’s too late.

“I just pray that an incident doesn’t happen,” he said.