FIRE PROTECTION SUBCODE OFFICIAL

 

DEFINITION


 Under direction of the Construction Official, is responsible for
 administering the fire protection subcode of the State Uniform
 Construction Code within the concerned jurisdiction; inspects and/or
 supervises the inspection of construction projects under way to ensure
 that compliance with plans and specification for fire protection
 approved in accord with State Uniform Construction Code is achieved;
 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:


 Reviews and approves plans of proposed structures as provided in the
 Uniform Construction Code regulations for conformity with the fire
 protection subcode.

 Has charge of the fire protection inspection staff and activities
 concerned in the inspection of construction projects.

 Develops the inspection work program with effective and appropriate
 procedures, analyzes fire protection inspection problems, and
 establishes appropriate work methods.

 Has the final responsibility in the inspection for fire protection
 compliance of all new construction and renovation projects.

 Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and
 evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective
 recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of
 subordinates.

 Provides appropriate assignments, instruction, and supervision for
 fire protection inspectors and clerical employees.

 Inspects, evaluates, and supervises the inspection of construction
 work in projects under way to ensure that all work installed conforms
 to the requirements of the approved plans and the fire protection
 subcode and the regulations of the New Jersey Uniform Construction
 Code.

 Has the responsibility in supervising the code compliance for the fire
 protection subcode of all construction and contractors to ensure that
 required standards are observed in accord with approved plans and
 specifications.

 Take the initiative in halting construction work by contractors when
 and if reasonable standards of workmanship, safety, plans,
 specification, and/or legal requirements are not being observed.

 Collects and records permits and other fees, and verifies that
 required prior approvals have been obtained and is responsible for the
 New Jersey Uniform Construction Code.

 Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with
 architects, engineers, and construction personnel.

 Reviews construction to ensure that all materials, methods, and
 assemblies conform to the standards referenced by the code and
 manufacturers installation directions as well as other matters not
 shown in a set of plans but required for conformity with the code.

 Issues on-site warnings, citations, and stop work orders in cases of
 serious violations of the adopted subcode or regulations that might
 endanger the health, safety, and/or welfare of the public or building
 occupants.

 Prepares and supervises the preparation of recommendations regarding
 both temporary and final certificates of occupancy.

 Prepares and supervises the preparation of violation reports.

 Testifies in court and in administrative hearings.

 Prepares inspection reports showing the progress of work on each
 project relative to construction code compliance, weather conditions,
 and the percentage of the project completed.

 Maintains and supervises the maintenance of records, reports, and
 files required to show the details of each project inspected.

 Establishes inspection schedules for fire protection inspection staff
 and ensures that all buildings being constructed or renovated are
 inspected at critical points during the course of construction as
 provided for in regulations for the Uniform Construction Code.

 Identifies, inspects, and supervises the inspection of the placement
 of materials being incorporated in the construction and renovation of
 buildings located within the jurisdiction to ensure that they conform
 to the approved plans and that they meet the necessary performance
 standards established in the regulations for the Uniform Construction
 Code and the fire protection subcode.

 Serves subpoenas and other legal process notices including notices of
 violations of the Uniform Construction Code and fire protection
 subcode.

 Assists the construction official in the preparation of all reports.

 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:

           Applicants must possess a valid license as a Fire Protection
 Subcode Official issued by the New Jersey Department of Community
 Affairs.

      NOTE: Applicants must also possess a valid license as a Fire
 Protection Inspector at the appropriate level, residential and
 commercial (RCS), industrial and commercial (ICS), or high-rise and
 hazardous (HHS), depending on the class of structure, 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:

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

 Knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations concerning all types of
 fire protection measures.

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

 Knowledge of the organization and content of the fire protection
 subcode and its 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
 uniform construction code and/or its referenced standards for active
 and passive fire suppression, fire detection, and fire alarm systems.

 Knowledge of basic fire protection requirements.

 Knowledge of height and area limitations.

 Knowledge of fire resistance ratings of structural components,
 arrangement, sizing, and protection 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 the 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 the preparation
 of violation notices and required inspection record keeping.

 Knowledge of the material requirements found in the electrical code.

 Knowledge of the proper installation methods for all approved
 materials.

 Knowledge of the relationship of fire prevention codes which regulate
 the use and 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 the materials installed at the construction
 site are of the appropriate strength and quality.

 Ability to review plans to determine the adequacy of fire alarm
 systems.

 Ability to analyze and interpret the Uniform Construction Code, fire
 protection subcode, and other laws, rules, regulations, and policies
 applicable to fire protection.

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

 Ability to review fire protection provisions of plans and
 specifications prepared by others for accuracy and conformity.

 Ability to give assignments and instructions to individuals and
 groups, provide them with advice and assistance when difficult and
 unusual problems arise, and check their work to see that proper
 procedures are followed.

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

 Ability to make thorough investigations, inspections, and
 investigations containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

 Ability to maintain records and files.

 Ability to prosecute violations of the fire protection subcode by
 appearing in court.

 Ability to recognize approved materials found in the electrical code.

 Ability to understand the 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 these 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 and 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.

 CODES: LG - 05013               MCK            04/20/04

 This job specification is for local government use only.