BUILDING INSPECTOR  / FIRE PROTECTION INSPECTOR

BUILDING INSPECTOR 

DEFINITION

Under direction, inspects new and existing buildings and structures 
to ensure compliance with the State Uniform Construction Code and 
enforces same to ensure public safety, health, and welfare; does 
related work as required.

NOTE: The definition and examples of work for this title are for
illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title
may not perform all duties listed in this job specification.
Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Examines plans for new structures to ensure compliance with 
building subcodes.

Inspects construction jobs, checks quality and amount of work
completed, and resolves construction problems

Enforces rules and regulations regarding building subcodes.

Initiates legal action against violators of building subcodes.

Prepares essential reports.

Establishes and maintains essential records and files.

May give assignments and instructions to employees.

May make recommendations to superiors concerning disciplinary
measures, promotions, and appointments of employees.

Collects fees for the issuance of various permits and keeps
records of same.

Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic 
and/or manual recording and computerized information systems 
used by the agency, office, or related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

LICENSE:

Possession of a valid Building Inspector's License of the 
appropriate class issued by the New Jersey Department of 
Community Affairs.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid
in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than
employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties 
of the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

RCS License:

Knowledge of structural design and analysis techniques necessary 
to check compliance with the State Uniform Construction Code 
particularly with regard to wood framing, light steel, and wall
bearing systems which include foundation, wall, floor, and roof
framing systems.

Knowledge of basic material standards, codes, and enforcement
requirements related to weatherability and durability of installed
construction materials.

Knowledge of basic fire protection requirements.

Knowledge of basic inspection tools and test methods.

Knowledge of organization and content of the State Uniform
Construction Code.

Knowledge of the preparation of violation notices and prescribed
inspection record keeping.

Knowledge of the classification of structures into class category.

Ability to analyze and interpret provisions of the State Uniform
Construction Code that apply to buildings and other laws, rules,
regulations, and policies applicable to buildings

Ability to carry out provisions of the State Uniform Construction
Code as they relate to residential and small commercial structures.

Ability to prepare building construction plans and specifications,
and to review for accuracy and feasibility those prepared by others.

Ability to work harmoniously with other municipal unit heads and 
with private contractors and architects.

Ability to make investigations and inspections.

Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports 
of inspections and investigations containing findings, conclusions, 
and recommendations.

Ability to keep essential records and files.

Ability to prosecute violations of the building code by appearing in
court.

ICS License:

The knowledge and abilities for an RCS license plus knowledge 
of requirements of the State Uniform Construction Code for
class II construction plus:

Knowledge of the organization and content of the State Uniform
Construction Code regulations, organization, and content of 
building subcode.

Knowledge of basic classification of structures into class
categories. Knowledge of methods of systematic plans analysis.

Knowledge of information pertaining to structural, architectural,
mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical features of
buildings which must be shown on plans to ensure compliance.

Knowledge of code requirements related to fire divisions in
buildings.

Knowledge of design analyses methods to ensure that structural and
mechanical elements of building depicted on plans do in fact conform
to code requirements.

Knowledge of field inspection and controlled inspection techniques
to ensure that materials installed at construction sites are of same
strength and quality as assumed by the design calculations and that
they are installed in the manner required to achieve and preserve
that strength.

HHS License:

The knowledge and abilities for an RCS and ICS license plus:

Knowledge of advanced structural systems including structural design
and analysis techniques necessary to check compliance with the code
for the heavily loaded and technically advanced systems which
characterize class I buildings.

Knowledge of pile and other foundation systems used to bear very
heavy loads.

Knowledge of analysis of highrise framing systems including wind
load and seismic considerations.

Knowledge of fire protection systems requirements, standards, 
and design methods for exotic (nonwater) fire suppression system.

Knowledge of compartmentation elevator, voice alarm, and other
highrise fire safety systems including material and installation
standards and methods for ensuring compliance with those 
standards.

Knowledge of requirements for and design principals involved in
various types of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems
found in class I structures with particular emphasis on procedures
ensuring adequacy of installation including fire protection
requirements for such systems.

General ABILITIES:

Ability to analyze and interpret the State Uniform Construction 
Code, local building code, and other local ordinances that apply 
to buildings, and other laws, rules, regulations, and policies 
applicable to buildings.

Ability to carry out provisions of the State Uniform Construction
Code as they relate to residential and small commercial structures,
industrial and commercial structures, and to highrise/hazardous
structures.

Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or
related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English
sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign
Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms 
of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long 
as they can perform the essential functions of the job after 
reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations.  
If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause 
the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

CODE:  00924    10/18/1996

FIRE PROTECTION INSPECTOR

DEFINITION:

Under direction, reviews plans and performs fire protection
inspection work involved in enforcement of the State Uniform
Construction Code, the fire protection subcode, and relevant 
fire protection laws within the concerned jurisdictions; does 
other related duties.

NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative
purposes only. A particular position using this title may not
perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely,
all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Examines and approves plans for fire protection work to see that
they comply with the fire protection subcode of the Uniform
Construction Code (UCC).

Inspects and evaluates work in construction projects to ensure
that all work and materials installed conform to approved plans
and the fire protection subcode of the UCC and relevant fire
protection laws/regulations.

When violations of the fire protection subcode are found,
determines the cause and takes corrective action.

Gives testimony in court cases.

Prepares recommendations regarding both temporary and final
certificates of occupancy.

Prepares reports.

Establishes and maintains records and files.

Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic
and/or manual recording and information systems used by 
the agency, office, or related units.

REQUIREMENTS:

LICENSE:

Possession of a valid license as a Fire Protection Inspector of 
the appropriate grade, issued by the New Jersey Department of
Community Affairs.  There are two (2) licenses issued based on
the class structure to be reviewed, industrial and commercial
(ICS), or high-rise and hazardous (HHS).

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid 
in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than 
employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties
of the position.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

There are two (2) classes of licenses, which are cumulative in
terms of knowledge and abilities.  The basic license (ICS)
comprises the core knowledge and abilities for this title:

Knowledge of the organization and content of Uniform Construction
Code regulations and of the organization and content of the fire
protection subcode.

Knowledge of the fire protection subcodes background, purpose,
history, place in local government structure, and relation to
construction code enforcement programs at other levels of
government.

Knowledge of classification of structures into class categories.

Knowledge of systems design and installation practices required
by the UCC and/or its referenced standards for active/passive
fire suppression, fire detection, and fire alarm systems sufficient 
to permit the review of plans to determine adequacy of the systems.

Knowledge of basic fire protection requirements.

Knowledge of height and area limitations.

Knowledge of fire resistance ratings of structural components.

Knowledge of arrangement, sizing, and protection of means 
of egress.

Knowledge of flame spread and smoke generated requirements.

Knowledge of combustibility of materials.

Knowledge of requirements for installation of fire detection,
alarm, and suppression systems.

Knowledge of chimneys, flues, and vents.

Knowledge of heating equipment and appliances.

Knowledge of basic plan reading sufficient to perform duties of
the position.

Knowledge of testing methods, agencies, and test verification
procedures incorporated in the code for combustibility and flame
spread of materials.

Knowledge of the use of basic inspection tools and test methods.

Knowledge of the construction process for smaller buildings and
the points at which inspection must be made.

Knowledge of basic inspection report writing including preparation 
of violation notices and required inspection record keeping.

Knowledge of the material requirements found in the electrical
code.

Knowledge of proper installation methods for all approved
materials.

Knowledge of the relationship of fire prevention codes which
regulate use/occupancy of industrial and commercial buildings,
and fire protection codes which regulate their construction.

Knowledge of fire prevention code provisions, enforcement
procedures, and objectives including the protection of places 
of assembly.

Knowledge of the fire prevention code regulatory process which
will ensure an understanding of the manner in which those fire
hazards not regulation by the construction code can be regulated
in the interest of public safety and fire protection.

Knowledge of the information pertaining to structural, architectural, 
mechanical, fire protection, and electrical features of buildings 
which must be shown on the plans to ensure compliance with 
requirements of the code.

Knowledge of analysis methods needed to ensure that fire
protection elements of buildings depicted on plans do in fact
conform to code requirements.

Knowledge of field inspection and controlled inspection
techniques necessary to ensure that materials installed 
at the construction site are of appropriate strength and 
quality.

Ability to analyze and interpret the Uniform Construction Code.

Ability to examine and approve plans for residential and small
commercial structures.

Ability to carry out field inspection activities for structures
in classes I and II.

Ability to organize assigned fire protection field inspections
and investigative work and to make the required field
visits/inspections/investigations.

Ability to prepare detailed and technical correspondence.

Ability to maintain records and files.

Ability to compile factual fire safety data relating to a particular 
structure and prepare clear, sound, accurate, and detailed 
reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations 
for approval or disapproval.

Ability to recognize approved materials found in the electrical
code.

Ability to understand standards and test methods which lead 
to approval.

Ability to ensure that all materials are installed in accord with
proper methods.

The highest level license (HHS) incorporates all knowledge 
and abilities previously listed, and the following:

Knowledge of fire protection material requirements established 
by the code including testing and listed procedures, and an
understanding of test methods.

Knowledge of code requirements related to fire divisions in
buildings exceeding the height and area limitations established
in the code.

Knowledge of code requirements related to unlimited area
buildings.

Knowledge of design analysis methods needed to ensure that 
fire protection elements of buildings depicted on plans do in fact
conform to code requirements.

Ability to read, understand, and interpret test reports for both
active/passive fire protection requirements of systems of the
type required to be incorporated in class I buildings.

Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
recording and information systems used by the agency, 
office, or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate 
in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position.
American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered 
as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as 
long as they can perform essential functions of the job after
reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. 
If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause 
the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

CODE:  05053    9/24/1999

DUAL TITLE CODE:  05582