CODE ENFORCEMENT OVERVIEW
 

FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION ORDINANCE

Lincoln County Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance - (79 pages - 219kb)

If you need a hard copy of the Lincoln County Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance you can purchase one at the Lincoln County Emergency Management Office located at 1 Court Square, Lincolnton (basement of the Lincoln County Court House). To order a copy or if you have any question's you can contact the Emergency Management Office at
(704) 736-8660.

PLAN REVIEWS GUIDELINES
 

Before plans are submitted here are some guidelines to go by that the plan reviewer will be looking for on new construction / additions and change of occupancy.

It is still the responsibility of the designer or architect to make sure all codes are met for the building or system they are submitting for review.

All areas must meet or exceed all Volumes of NC Building Codes that apply and all NFPA standards that are assorted with them.

PLAN REVIEWS

SITE PLANS:
 

1)  Occupancy classification

2)  Type of construction

3)  Total square feet of building

4)  Means of egress

5)  Exits

6)  Fire rated walls and doors

7)  Stairways

8)  Rack storage (plans: height, type of rack, aisle spacing and type of        product to be stored on racks)

9)  Atriums

10)  Interior finishes which include walls, floors, ceilings, etc

11)  Location of fire protection and life safety devices

ELECTRICAL:

1)  Exit illuminations

2)  Emergency Lighting

3)  Back up power

4)  Fire Alarm

5)  Wiring for sprinklers and fire pumps

6)  Special locking devices on exit doors

7)  Panel box(s) location and clearance

8)  Penetrations in fire rated walls, floors, ceilings, etc  who will be        doing the sealing

PLUMBING:

1)  Penetrations in fire rated walls, floors, ceilings, etc. who will be       doing the sealing

2)  Utilities site plan

3)  Drains for oil and water (separations and collections for both)

MECHANICAL:

1)  HVAC details (smoke detectors, duct detectors) remote indicators

2)  Smoke removal systems

3)  Boilers (wall related separation from other protection devices)

FIRE PROTECTION:

1)  Fire hydrant locations

2)  Fire department connections

3)  Sprinkler systems layout (hydraulics, design, water test)

4)  Fire alarm systems

5)  Fixed suppression systems

6)  Smoke detectors

7)  Duct detectors

8)  Remote indicators

9)  Heat detectors

10)  Ventilation systems

11)  Flammable/Combustible liquids & gas storage

12)  Standpipe systems

13)  Portable fire extinguishers placements and the number & size required

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PRODUCTION AND STORAGE SITES

1)  Site plan (detail sketch of building and site)

2)  Floor plan

3)  Fire protection systems needed

4)  Type and size of storage tanks

5)  Detail layout of the placement of tanks, racks or storage bins, or other        areas products to be stored

6)  How materials will be handle

7)  Monitoring program

8)  Security systems

9)  Labeling and warning signs

10)  Loading and unloading sites

11)  Cleaning areas on site

12)  Utilities locations

13)  Ground water issues

14)  What property is next to site

15)  What type and amounts of chemicals are to be stored

16)  Storage areas (where product will be stored)

17)  MSDS sheets needed

18)  Employee training

19)  Safety systems designs

20)  Emergency response plans

PRE-CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY INSPECTION to be done before final inspection

1)  We will do a walk through just before final inspection to see if there        are any problems

2)  We will need to have all trade inspectors and general contractor(s)

3)  Go over what is expected in order to obtain a certificate of occupancy

4)  Give general contractor(s) a copy of the final inspection checklist so        there will be no questions at the final inspection.

FINAL INSPECTION

1)  Conduct 100% acceptance test of all fire protection devices

2)  Proper seal of all penetrations in all fire rated walls, floors and ceilings

3)  Labeling of all fire rated walls, doors and partitions

4)  Street numbers posted

5)  Installation of all fire extinguishers

6)  Approved locking devices on all exit doors

7)  Illuminated exit signs in place and working

8)  Emergency lighting in place and working

9)  Marking of fire lanes

10)  Access to fire hydrants and fire department connections

11)  Occupancy capacity posted

12)  Interior finish of approved material

13)  Need a certificate of compliance of all fire protection systems that were        installed (some examples are: fire alarm, sprinkler, standpipe, fixed        suppression systems). Will not sign off on CO until have this in hand.        Certificate will state that all systems were installed according to all building        codes and NFIPA standards.

14)  Check all egress for compliance with the code

15)  Breakers in panel boxes are label

FIRE INSPECTOR’S CHECKLIST FOR FINAL INSPECTION

REPORTING A HAZARD OR VIOLATION

Hazards and Violations

The Emergency Management Office will respond to any complaint regarding a life safety hazard, illegal burning, and any other fire code violation or fire ordinance violation in Lincoln County.

How to report a hazard or violation

A hazard or violation may be reported at any time. They may be reported directly to the Emergency Management Office during normal working hours. After normal working hours or on weekends and holidays you can call the Lincoln County Communications Center on their non-emergency number. They will notify the on call personnel from the Emergency Management Office.

Required Information for Complaints

All complaints will require the following information to be recorded in order for the complaint to be processed:

Records

A written record of all complaints will be maintained in the Emergency Management Office. A report will be attached to the complaint stating any violations or hazards found and what actions were taken.