BUILDING INSPECTOR / FIRE PROTECTION SUBCODE OFFICIAL

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 and may
supervise the performance of their work.

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 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:   05013     4/20/2004

DUAL TITLE CODE:  05753