Fire Inspector II

The primary function of this position is to enforce the fire prevention code through inspections of new and existing buildings and regulated properties.

Duties include:

• Inspecting job sites and buildings for compliance with all applicable codes and standards pertaining to the installation, testing, and inspection of fire protection equipment and systems.
• Witnessing required contractor conducted performance tests.
• Inspecting new and existing structures and permitted worksites to ensure compliance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), and associated Fairfax County amendments.
• Investigating and troubleshooting problems related to building fire protection equipment and systems. Investigating complaints against builders or property owners, for validity, and recommending corrective action when necessary.
• Receiving and responding to inquiries from citizens, contractors, owners, and developers regarding fire protection equipment, installation status, permitting requirements, codes, and standards.
• Entering all inspection results into a portable computer terminal or maintaining complete records of inspections and test results.
• Identifying regulation sections being violated, issuing written code violation notices, and taking necessary action to ensure violations are corrected.
• Reading and interpreting approved building plans and specifications.
• Reviewing requests for inspections and coordinating with other county agencies and departments.
• Interpreting applicable codes and standards.
• Attending meetings, conferences, and training.
• Preparing reports and composing correspondence.
• Responding to on-call duties outside of normal business hours.

Note:

If applicants do not meet the Fire Inspector II certification requirements, vacancies may be underfilled at the level of Fire Inspector I (Pay Grade S17) for up to one year pending requirement completion. See the Underfill requirements listed in the Employment Standards below.

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description).

• Inspects job sites and buildings for compliance with all applicable codes and standards pertaining to the installation, testing, and inspection of fire protection equipment and systems;
  Witnesses required performance tests conducted by the installing contractor;
• Inspects buildings, structures, and other permitted work to ensure compliance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), and associated Fairfax County amendments;
• Investigates and troubleshoots problems related to fire protection equipment and systems as they occur in buildings;
• Inspects new construction to ensure construction is in compliance with the VSFPC, VUSBC, and other applicable codes and ensures construction is completed in accordance with approved plans;
• Investigates complaints against builders or property owners, evaluates their validity, and recommends corrective action when necessary;
• Receives and responds to inquiries from citizens, contractors, owners, and developers regarding fire protection equipment and system requirements, installation status, permitting requirements, code, standards, or fire inspections, etc.;
• Enters results of each inspection into a portable computer terminal or maintains complete records of inspections and test results of performance testing of fire protection equipment and systems;
• Identifies the sections of the regulations being violated, when an investigation or inspection uncovers code violations or work that is not approved, and issues written code violation notices to developer, owner(s), or appropriate persons and takes necessary action to ensure violations are corrected with concurrence of the supervisor;
• Reads and interprets approved building plans and specifications;
• Reviews requests for inspections and coordinates inspections with other county agencies (i.e., DPWES, LDS, other sections of the Fire and Rescue Department, Department of Zoning, or Health Department);
• Interprets applicable codes and model standards;
• Attends meetings, conferences, and training;
• Prepares reports and composes correspondence;
• Responds to on-call duties outside of normal business hours and is subject working emergency overtime.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of fire protection equipment and systems;
• Knowledge of fire chemistry and behavior, fire prevention fundamentals, general fire safety, physical properties of flammable and combustible solids, liquids, and gases, and fundamentals of fire suppression;
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of model codes and standards;
• Knowledge of the materials and practices used in building construction;
• Ability to read and interpret plans,…