Fire Prevention Code Enforcement Program

This information will provide the Nash County businesses and public with basic information about the Fire Prevention Code Program. We hope that after reading this information you will have a better understanding of this important program.

Nash County Fire Marshal's Office

The Nash County Fire Marshal's Office is funded by the Nash County Board of Commissioners and is directed by the Emergency Service Director / Fire Marshal.

Functions

• Fire prevention code enforcement
• Firefighter training
• Public education and training
• Safety inspections of all county buildings
• Emergency response / fire investigations
• Emergency management activities
• County fire department technical and administrative assistance

Code Enforcement

All professionals under the direction of the fire marshal include an assistant fire marshal and two deputy fire marshals. Our service area includes all of the unincorporated areas of Nash County and all municipalities excluding the City of Rocky Mount.

State Fire Prevention Code

The Fire Prevention Code is a set of minimum mandatory fire safety standards that apply to all occupancies in North Carolina with the exception of one and two family dwellings. The fire prevention code is uniformly enforced in all areas of the state.

Regulations

These regulations apply to new and existing buildings.

• General precautions against fire
• Fire protection requirements
• Electrical safety
• Exit and egress maintenance
• Flammable and combustible liquid safety
• Other specialized operation safety requirements

Fire Inspection Schedule

The Nash County Fire Marshal's Office will respond to any complaint made to our office. Otherwise, inspections of occupancies will be provided on the following schedule:

• Once every year: hazardous, institutional, high rise, assembly, common areas of residential (multi-family dwelling and townhouses).
• Once every two years: industrial and educational (except public schools).
• Once every three years: business, mercantile, storage, churches and synagogues.

This is the minimum required schedule for inspections. This does not prevent the authority having jurisdiction from conducting more frequent inspections than the above listed schedule.

Certified Inspectors

All persons who enforce the state fire prevention code are certified to do so by the North Carolina Code Official's Qualifications Board. Each inspector that you will work with has undergone extensive education and experience to provide you quality service. Not only are our inspectors certified to perform code enforcement, each has experience as a North Carolina firefighter. This enables our staff to bring to you a clear understanding of fire behavior.

Inspection Procedure

An inspector will call upon businesses within our service area. Upon arrival, the inspector will ask for the owner, manager or safety officer. After greeting, the two will survey the exterior of the facility, then the interior. A systematic inspection will occur whereby code violations will be determined by the inspector. Each item will be thoroughly explained.

A re-inspection date will then be scheduled within 30 days. The owner / operator will be asked to sign the inspection report and a copy will be provided. On the re-inspection date, an inspector will return or call to confirm that all necessary corrections have been made. If corrections have not been properly abated, a second re-inspection date will be set.

Hazard / Violation Reporting

A hazard or violation may be reported at any time. The fire marshal's office will respond to any complaint regarding a life safety hazard, illegal burning or other fire code violations in our service area. The complaints or violations may be reported directly to the fire marshal's office at the following numbers:

• Call 252-459-9805 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Call 252-459-7131 weekends and holidays, 5 p.m. - 8 a.m.

All fire inspection reports are public records and are available upon request.