If your business is located in Broward County, Florida, AED compliance isn’t optional — it’s required by fire code. And fire inspectors are checking more than just a device on the wall. They’re looking at installation, signage, maintenance records, staff training, and documentation.
The good news: if you know exactly what they’re looking for, passing is straightforward. This checklist covers every requirement under Broward County Fire Code Section F-121 so you can walk into your next inspection with confidence.
Who Needs an AED in Broward County (and Delray Beach)?
Under the F-121 amendment, the following facilities are required to have at least one AED on-site:
- Hotels and Motels
- Commercial spaces over 35,000 square feet
- Restaurants and bars 100+ capacity (indoor and outdoor total)
- Residential buildings five or more stories tall
- Religious centers with a capacity of 100 or more
- Fitness centers and gyms, 1500+ sf
- Schools and daycare
- Any occupancy (meeting room, social hall, theatre, etc.) 100+ capacity
If your facility falls into one of these categories, you’re required to maintain a compliant AED program — not just own a device.
The Broward County AED Compliance Checklist
✅ 1. AED Device Requirements
- AED is a currently approved model (not discontinued or recalled)
- Device is powered on and showing a “ready” status light
- Electrode pads are installed and within their expiration date
- Battery is within its service life (typically 4–5 years)
- Device has not been used in an incident without being serviced and reset
✅ 2. Cabinet and Placement
- AED is mounted in a clearly accessible location — not locked away
- Cabinet is mounted at the correct height (top of cabinet 48 from the floor)
- Cabinet is an alarmed model (audible alarm when opened, per code)
- AED is visible and not obstructed by furniture, signage, or equipment
✅ 3. Signage
- AED location sign is posted above or adjacent to the cabinet
- Directional signage is in place if the AED is not visible from the main area
- Inspection tag is inside or affixed to the cabinet and current
✅ 4. Maintenance Records
This is where many businesses fail. The fire inspector will ask to see documentation — not just the device itself.
- Written log of regular AED inspections (monthly idea, at minimum quarterly)
- Records of pad and battery replacement with dates
- Documentation of any incident in which the AED was used
- Current compliance certificate or maintenance agreement on file
✅ 5. Trained Staff On-Site
- At least one CPR/AED-trained staff member is present during all business hours
- Training was completed through an accredited program (AHA, Red Cross, HSI, or equivalent)
- Training certificates are on file and current (typically renewed every 2 years)
✅ 6. Bleeding Control Kit (BCK)
- A bleeding control kit is co-located with or near the AED
- BCK contents are intact and within expiration (tourniquet, gauze, gloves, shears)
The Most Common Reasons Businesses Fail AED Inspections
After working with hundreds of Broward County businesses, these are the violations we see most often:
- Expired pads or batteries. AED pads typically expire every 2 years. Batteries last 4–5 years. Most business owners don’t track this until an inspector flags it.
- No maintenance records. Owning an AED isn’t enough. If you can’t show documented quarterly checks, you’re in violation — even if the device is in perfect working order.
- Untrained staff. The device requirement and the training requirement are separate. You must have both.
- Wrong cabinet height. A surprisingly common issue. If the cabinet was self-installed without checking the code, the height may be off.
- No inspection tag. Small detail, easy fix — but inspectors look for it.
How to Stay Compliant Year-Round
Passing one inspection is the floor — the goal is continuous compliance. Here’s how to maintain it without letting it become a burden:
- Track expiration dates for pads and batteries in a shared calendar. Set reminders 60 days before expiration.
- Document every check. A simple log with the date, who checked it, and the device status is sufficient.
- Keep training current. CPR/AED certifications typically need renewal every 2 years. Build it into your HR onboarding process.
- Consider a compliance program. If you’re managing multiple AEDs or don’t have internal bandwidth, a managed service handles all of this automatically.
Rescue Beats Can Handle This for You
If you’d rather not manage AED compliance yourself, that’s exactly what we built GreenLight AED™ Program Management for. For $136 per device per year, we handle quarterly inspections, expiration tracking, compliance documentation, and keep your records audit-ready — so you’re never caught off guard by an inspector and know your AED is always ready if needed.
We also offer on-site CPR and AED training for your staff, and can supply or replace any equipment flagged during an inspection.
Not sure where you stand? Contact us for a free compliance review. We’ll walk through your current setup and tell you exactly what you need before your next inspection.
Rescue Beats is a licensed AED provider and authorized training center serving Broward County and South Florida. We specialize in helping businesses meet fire code AED requirements with turnkey packages, ongoing compliance programs, and certified CPR/AED training.