11 NCAC 08 .0741 FIRE INSPECTOR LEVEL I, II and III
(a) A Fire Inspector, Level I, shall be qualified to perform code-enforcement official duties of operational permit issuance, field inspection, and related code enforcement activities for existing Assembly (limited to 1 story, 20,000 sf), Business, Mercantile, Residential, Utility and Miscellaneous occupancies, and other existing facilities, premises, and structures within those occupancies as required. A Fire Inspector Level I is not authorized to conduct inspections on high-rise buildings, inspections on new construction, or plan review for any occupancy.
(c) A Fire Inspector, Level III, shall be qualified to perform code-enforcement official duties of plan review, permit issuance, field inspection, certificate of compliance and occupancy, change of occupancy, and related code-enforcement activities for any existing or new occupancy classification and other facilities, premises, and structures within those occupancies as required.
(d) The level of certification required for buildings with multiple occupancy classifications shall be assigned based on the highest level required as indicated in Paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Rule.
(e) Fire Inspector, Level I. A standard certificate, fire inspector, Level I, shall be issued to any applicant who complies with Rule .0706(b) through (g) of this Section and who provides documentation that the applicant possesses one of the following education and experience qualifications:
(1) A one-year diploma in fire science from an accredited college or an equivalent certificate of completion from an apprenticeship or trade school program in fire science;
(2) A four-year degree from an accredited college or university;
(3) At least six months of fire inspection experience with a probationary Level I fire inspection certificate on a minimum of two Level I buildings while working under the direct supervision of a standard certified fire inspector Level I, II, or III, with a supporting letter from the applicant's supervisor which complies with Rule .0706(b) of this Section;
(4) At least one year of fire protection design, construction, or inspection experience on a minimum of two Level I buildings while working under the direct supervision of a licensed professional engineer, licensed architect, or licensed building, electrical, or fire sprinkler contractor, with a supporting letter from the applicant's supervisor which complies with Rule .0706(b) of this Section;
(5) A license as a fire sprinkler contractor;
(6) At least two years of construction or inspection experience in fire protection systems while working under a licensed building, electrical, or fire sprinkler contractor;
(7) At least one year of experience with a probationary Level I fire inspection certificate conducting fire inspections on a minimum of two Level I buildings;
(8) At least four years of experience in fire suppression activities for a city, county, volunteer, or other governmental fire department; or
(9) Firefighter Level II certification under the North Carolina State Fire and Rescue Commission with at least one year of fire inspection experience in Level I buildings.
(f) Fire Inspector, Level II. A standard certificate, fire inspector, Level II, shall be issued to any applicant who complies with Rule .0706(b) through (g) of this Section and who provides documentation that the applicant possesses one of the following education and experience qualifications:
(1) A license as a professional engineer or architect;
(2) A four-year degree from an accredited college or university in architecture, civil or architectural engineering, building construction, or fire science;
(3) A four-year degree from an accredited college or university and at least two years of fire protection design, construction, or inspection experience on a minimum of two Level II buildings while working under the direct supervision of a certified fire inspector Level II or III, licensed professional engineer, architect, intermediate or unlimited licensed building contractor, or licensed fire sprinkler contractor;
(4) A two-year degree from an accredited college or university in architecture, civil or architectural engineering, building construction, construction management or fire science and at least two years of fire protection design, construction, or inspection experience on a minimum of two Level II building fire protection systems while working under the direct supervision of a certified fire inspector Level II or III, licensed professional engineer, architect, intermediate or unlimited licensed building contractor, or licensed fire sprinkler contractor;
(5) A license as a fire sprinkler contractor with experience on a minimum of two Level II buildings;
(6) At least three years of fire inspection experience including at least one year of inspection experience with a probationary Level II fire inspection certificate on a minimum of two Level II buildings while working under the direct supervision of a certified fire inspector II or III, with a supporting letter from the applicant's supervisor which complies with Rule .0706(b) of this Section;
(7) At least three years of fire protection system design, construction, or inspection experience on a minimum of two Level II buildings while working under the direct supervision of a licensed professional engineer, architect, licensed intermediate or unlimited building contractor, or licensed fire sprinkler contractor, with a supporting letter from the applicant's supervisor which complies with Rule .0706(b) of this Section;
(8) At least one year of experience with a probationary Level II fire inspection certificate conducting fire inspections on a minimum of two Level II buildings; or
(9) Completion of the basic, intermediate, and advanced classes of the North Carolina Fire Prevention School with at least three years of fire inspection experience in Level II buildings.
(g) Fire Inspector, Level III. A standard certificate, fire inspector, Level III, shall be issued to any applicant who complies with Rule .0706(b) through (g) of this Section and who provides documentation that the applicant possesses one of the following education and experience qualifications:
(1) A license as a professional engineer or architect with design, construction, or inspection experience on Level III buildings and specialization in architecture, civil or architectural engineering, or fire protection engineering;
(2) A four-year degree from an accredited college or university in civil, architectural, construction management or fire protection engineering and at least one year of fire inspection experience while working under a certified fire inspector III, licensed professional engineer, architect, or licensed fire sprinkler contractor on a minimum of two Level III buildings;
(3) A two-year degree from an accredited college or university in civil, architectural, or fire protection engineering and at least three years of fire protection design, installation, or inspection experience while working under the direct supervision of a certified fire inspector Level III, licensed professional engineer, architect, licensed unlimited building contractor, or licensed fire sprinkler contractor with at least one year in responsible charge of a minimum of two Level III buildings;
(4) A license as a fire sprinkler contractor with experience on a minimum of two Level III buildings;
(5) At least four years of fire inspection experience in fire protection systems including one year of inspection experience with a probationary Level III fire inspection certificate on a minimum of two Level III buildings while working under the direct supervision of a certified fire inspector Level III, with a supporting letter from the applicant's supervisor which complies with Rule .0706(b) of this Section;
(6) At least four years of fire protection system design, construction, or inspection experience while working under the direct supervision of a licensed professional engineer, architect, licensed intermediate or unlimited building contractor, or licensed fire sprinkler contractor, two years of which have been performed at the level of supervisor in responsible charge of a minimum of two Level III buildings, with a supporting letter from the applicant's supervisor which complies with Rule .0706(b) of this Section; or
(7) At least one year of experience with a probationary Level III fire inspection certificate conducting fire inspections on a minimum of two Level III buildings.
History Note: Authority G.S. 143-151.12(1); 143-151.12(3); 143‑151.13;
Eff. February 1, 2025.