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What does a Fire Inspector do?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A fire inspector examines structures to confirm that they conform with the prevailing fire code, and that they are safe for use. Inspectors can also identify violations and make follow-up inspections to ensure that violations are addressed, and they respond to the scenes of incidents at which flammable or explosive materials may be present. Fire inspectors are also usually involved in arson and fire investigations, lending their experience to the team.

In most areas, a fire inspector is a member of the law enforcement community, which means that he or she must attend a training academy to gain knowledge and skills in the law enforcement field in addition to receiving training about fire safety and inspections. In small communities, the fire inspector may double as the fire chief or a firefighter, allowing the local government to cut costs while still having access to a qualified fire inspector.

Fire inspectors often are part of an arson investigation.
Fire inspectors often are part of an arson investigation.

When new construction occurs, the fire inspector must usually be allowed to inspect the building before it will be certified as safe for use. He or she may also act as a consultant in the planning phases so that the building will be built to standards. Fire inspectors are concerned with things like easy exit in case of emergency, fire suppression system in large buildings, doors which open in the appropriate direction, and safety precautions to prevent or address fires such as vent hoods for stoves. A fire inspector may also determine how many people may safely occupy a room or building.

Fire inspectors should be consulted when installing a new fireplace.
Fire inspectors should be consulted when installing a new fireplace.

Fire inspectors may be called out to inspect specific venues in advance of major events to confirm that these areas will be safe for use, and to help develop an evacuation and fire safety plan so that staff are prepared if there is an emergency. If an event will involve flammable or combustible materials, the fire inspector may need to inspect the systems used and discuss the way in which these materials will be used with the staff who handle them.

Fire inspectors in a commercial kitchen may check for proper operation of a gas stove and vent hood.
Fire inspectors in a commercial kitchen may check for proper operation of a gas stove and vent hood.

Abandoned and derelict buildings may periodically be examined by the fire inspector to determine whether or not they pose a fire hazard, and in some areas, fire inspectors can condemn buildings which they believe to be unsafe. Fire inspectors also routinely examine facilities where flammable and explosive substances are handled, such as gas stations and oil refineries.

Fire inspectors may be held accountable if their inspections failed to notice dangers that lead to fires or other tragedies.
Fire inspectors may be held accountable if their inspections failed to notice dangers that lead to fires or other tragedies.

In the event of an emergency which involves fires or explosions, the fire inspector is one of the responders, and he or she will also be involved in the generation of a report about the incident and how it was handled. Fire inspectors may be held accountable if previous inspections failed to identify an issue which contributed to the development of an emergency situation.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon993870

@ irontoenail: Sprinklers do not activate by smoke alarm in residential use. They only work if the temperature element is activated. Also, the sprinklers operate individually not as shown in "Hollywood" where one goes off and all of them go off.

irontoenail

@pleonasm - On the one hand, I can see why fire safety inspectors would want sprinklers to be present. On the other hand, I don't know if it would work in the average home. We set off our fire alarm by accident at least a couple of times a year, if not more often. If that alarm included water sprayed all over the house, that would get extremely annoying and expensive.

pleonasm

@MrsPramm - My friend used to work in a company that dealt with fire protection in buildings and he said they think they can get the death by fire rates down even further if they make it mandatory for every new building to install sprinklers.

At the moment, in most places, it's only commercial buildings that have to use them and residential buildings usually rely on smoke alarms (which have to be installed by the residents).

But sprinklers are so much more effective, because they will help to contain a fire while the rescue brigade arrives.

MrsPramm

I listened to a podcast recently that talked about the history of fire inspection and how far we've come. Apparently the reduction in the amount of people who die from fire each year is huge compared to what it used to be, but most of the things that protect us are invisible, so we don't think about them much.

Back in the day, most fire safety was geared towards making sure the building would survive rather than the people, or even the inventory.

It took a few really nasty and sad fire related tragedies for them to start getting serious about fire violations. I imagine it was around then that they started training fire inspectors as well.

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    • Fire inspectors often are part of an arson investigation.
      By: goodween123
      Fire inspectors often are part of an arson investigation.
    • Fire inspectors should be consulted when installing a new fireplace.
      By: francisco
      Fire inspectors should be consulted when installing a new fireplace.
    • Fire inspectors in a commercial kitchen may check for proper operation of a gas stove and vent hood.
      By: corepics
      Fire inspectors in a commercial kitchen may check for proper operation of a gas stove and vent hood.
    • Fire inspectors may be held accountable if their inspections failed to notice dangers that lead to fires or other tragedies.
      By: Tatiana Belova
      Fire inspectors may be held accountable if their inspections failed to notice dangers that lead to fires or other tragedies.
    • A fire inspector may examine facilities where explosive and flammable substances are handled, such as gas stations.
      By: Steve Mays
      A fire inspector may examine facilities where explosive and flammable substances are handled, such as gas stations.