FIR 160 - Fire Inspector I Credits: 3 Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 2 Practicum Hours: 0 Work Experience: 0 Course Type: Voc/Tech This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of fire prevention and fire inspection efforts. Students will develop a basic understanding of fire prevention; administration of codes and standards; impact of fire behavior on buildings; building construction; fire detection and protection systems; identification and correct of hazards; and field
inspections. Prerequisite: FIR 124 , FIR 127 , FIR 138 and FIR 152 . Competencies
- Describe the the functions, objectives, and roles of the inspection unit with a fire department.
- Explain the code enforcement system and the fire inspector’s role in that system.
- Understand the development and adoption process for codes and standards.
- Know the differences between prescriptive and performance based codes.
- Recognize ethical practices for the code enforcement officer.
- Identify the professional development process for code enforcement practitioners.
- Understand the relationship between building construction and the inspection process.
- Describe the characteristics of the following building materials: masonry, concrete, steel, glass, gypsum board, and wood.
- Identify the types of building construction.
- List the characteristics of each of the following types of building construction: fire-resistive construction, noncombustible construction, ordinary construction, heavy timber construction, and wood-frame construction.
- Describe the function of each of the following building components: foundations, doors, ceilings, roofs, trusses, walls, doors, windows, interior finishes, and door coverings.
- Understand the different types of occupancies.
- Describe how the occupancy classification of a building is determined.
- List the fifteen specific occupancy groupings.
- Describe the identifying characteristics of one- and two- family dwellings,lodging, hotels and dormitories, apartment buildings, healthcare, day-care, educational, business, industrial, mercantile, storage, assembly, detention, multiple occupancy, and mixed occupancies.
- Assess fire behavior and its relationship to the inspection process.
- Describe the ignition, growth, fully developed, and decay phases of fire process.
- Examine the characteristics of a room and contents fire through each of the four phases of fire.
- Demonstrate the applicable use of the appropriate codes and their relationship to other requirements for the fire inspection process.
- Describe the types of fire inspections.
- Describe when the fire inspector should begin to inspect a building.
- Describe the fire inspection process.
- Describe how to verify the proper installation and maintenance of heat, ventilation, and air conditioning systems; kitchen cooking equipment; laundry chutes; elevators; and escalators.
- Describe how to verify that a new construction project meets all applicable codes, standards, and polices.
- Describe how to verify that a remodeling project meets all applicable codes, standards, and polices.
- Describe when and how to cite code violations.
- Describe how to investigate a complaint against an occupancy and ensure that the complaint is resolved.
- Understand the reasons for performing plan checks, the objectives of a proposed plans review program, the impact of such a program, and how the program will enhance current fire prevention programs.
- List the reasons why a plan review may be required.
- Describe how to evaluate a plan review application.
- Describe the types of drawings included in a plan.
- Describe how to determine the occupancy of a structure using a set of plans.
- Describe how to determine if adequate access for fire apparatus is provided in the plans for a structure.
- Describe how to evaluate a building’s fire protection system using a set of plans.
- Describe how to evaluate the building’s life safety systems and building services equipment using a set of plans.
- Determine occupancy classification, construction type:calculate occupant load and, the height and area of a building.
- Discuss the importance of calculating the occupant load in determining the egress requirements of the building.
- Describe how to ensure that the means of egress meet all applicable codes and standards.
- Describe how to ensure that emergency access for an existing site meets all applicable codes and standards.
- Describe how to evaluate emergency evacuation plans to ensure they meet all applicable codes and standards.
- Describe how to evaluate evacuation drills in various occupancies.
- Evaluate fire flow and the fire suppression system requirements.
- Describe the elements of a plan review of a fire suppression system.
- Describe the two types of water distribution systems and the sources of water for a municipal water supply system.
- Describe dry-barrel and wet-barrel hydrants.
- Describe the factors to be considered during the design phase of an automatic sprinkler system.
- Identify the six types of sprinkler systems.
- Identify the three types of standpipes.
- Describe how to test the readiness of fire suppression systems.
- Verify the compliance of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, review sources requiring venting and combustion air, verify the proper location of ?re dampers, and evaluate a stairwell pressurization system.
- Describe the components of an electrical system.
- Describe the protective practices and equipment of an electrical system.
- Describe the common hazards of an electrical system.
- Describe how to identify and seek correction of electrical hazards.
- Describe the components and operation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
- Describe the impact of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems on smoke movement throughout a building.
- Describe how to identify and seek correction of heating,ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
- Analyze proper storage and handling practices.
- Analyze proper storage and handling practices.
- List the classifications of flammable and combustible liquids and gases.
- Describe the classifications of hazardous materials and their labeling systems.
- Describe how to properly store hazardous materials, including flammable and combustible liquids and gases.
- Describe how to ensure that hazardous materials, including flammable and combustible liquids and gases, are stored, handled, and used in accordance with all applicable codes, standards, and policies.
- Describe the fire protection systems and equipment that are appropriate for use with hazardous materials, including flammable and combustible liquids and gases.
- Evaluate the importance of writing reports and record keeping.
- Describe the common elements of effective written documentation.
- Discuss the barriers that affect written communications.
- Describe how field notes, sketches, diagrams, and photographs are used to complete a fire inspection report.
- Describe how to properly reference a code or standard.
- Describe how to comply with Freedom of Information Act requests.
- Describe how to present evidence during a legal proceeding.
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