Inspections

North Carolina Fire Code Enforcement

Fire Code Inspections are required by the state for all places of business. Periodic inspections will be conducted based on your type of business. An example below illustrates the minimum frequency rate of inspections:
  • 1-Year Inspections:
    • Assembly - (Restaurants, clubs and places of entertainment)
    • Hazardous - (Hazardous-materials, flammable liquids facilities)
    • Institutional - (Hospital, nursing homes, licensed care facilities, jails)
    • High-Rise Buildings and residential except one and two family dwellings.
  • 2-Year Inspections:
    • Industrial facilities
    • Educational facilities (Except public schools).
  • 3-Year Inspections:
    • Business
    • Mercantile, Storage facilities
    • Churches and synagogues
If you have any questions, or would like to speak with your area inspector, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 919-777-1302.
Firefighters

Fire Inspection Goals

  • To raise the public's awareness of fire safety considerations.
  • To identify fire hazards that must be eliminated for a safer environment.
  • To develop records and reports of inspection information that will serve in public record.
  • To verify proper functioning and maintenance of installed fire protection systems and other building fire protection equipment and features.

Common Fire Safety

A fire inspection should include checking for the following:
  • The means of egress as pertaining to life safety considerations.
  • Fire protection systems - fire alarms that give early warning to occupants and fire suppression systems that control fire in the early stages.
  • Heating systems as they affect the furnace, the fuel-supply and ignition systems, vents and chimney.
  • Electrical systems - including electrical distribution, motors, extension cords, lamps, lighting fixtures, grounding and other related areas.
  • Mechanical systems, such as heating and air conditioning systems.
  • Storage - where materials are being stored and how they are arranged in occupancies, recycling programs have had an impact on buildings not designed to house these used products until they are scheduled for pickup.
  • Residential Fire Prevention and Safety Guide

Preparing for Your Next Inspection

The Sanford Fire Department conducts inspections at a frequency mandated by the North Carolina Fire Code. So that you may be prepared for your next scheduled inspection, we have developed a checklist (PDF) that you may use as a self inspection guide in an effort to minimize, and perhaps even eliminate any violations that are documented during your next visit by a fire inspector. Keep in mind that this checklist is not intended to indicate the only violations we look for or routinely find, but violations that may be common at any type of occupancy. Some of the information contained in the document may apply to your facility, and some may not.

Documents