Inconsistent inspections and a lack penalties being issued were two of the main findings following a statue audit of the Louisiana's Fire Marshal's Office.
Inspections and enforcement actions from 2011 through 2013 were reviewed by Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera's office, according to The Advertiser.
The report found that the fire marshal's office isn't quick to follow up on reported violations and that repeat offenders are not penalized.
The office has 54 inspectors responsible for more than 25,000 structures, including state building, schools and health facilities. Annual inspections are supposed to happen at day care centers, group homes and other high-risk occupancies.
Auditors checked the 2013 records for 278 buildings and it was revealed that 65 weren't inspected. More than a dozen had not been inspected in three years.
Of the 385 violations that auditors examined, 21 percent were not re-inspected. And repeated violations were found in 32% of the buildings, but no fines were issued.
"We found one structure that was re-inspected nine times for the same violation but was never issued a monetary penalty or an attorney letter," the report said.
Officials said that other responsibilities, such as fire investigations and amusement fire inspections, take time away from their core duties.
A result of the audit is that the fire marshal needs to develop a risk-based strategy for inspections.
Fire Marshal Butch Browning told the paper that new technology that will be implemented this year will "completely revolutionize" their processes.
You can read the full audit here.
