Chapter 1 - Duties and Authority

Question 1

What statement accurately describes the ultimate goal of any fire and life safety inspection program?

Answer 1

a fire that does not occur is the one that is most easily controlled.

Question 2

A person who is trained and certified to perform fire and life safety inspections of all types of new construction and existing occupancies is?

Answer 2

Inspector

Question 3

Legislation that fives appropriate officials the authority to implement or enforce the law is?

Answer 3

Enabling Legislation

Question 4

Who’s responsibility is it to train and certify inspection and code enforcement personnel?

Answer 4

the AHJ

Question 5

AHJ means?

Answer 5

authority having jurisdiction

Question 6

Who’s responsibility is it to continue with professional development?

Answer 6

the inspectors

Question 7

The _________ portion of a state./province outside the jurisdiction of municipalities that does not provide an inspection program.

Answer 7

Unincorporated

Question 8

4 general duties of the Building Department

Answer 8

• reviewing and approving all new construction and renovations to existing structures.
• conducting plan reviews
• issuing permits related to building and their use
• making field inspections to verify that approved plans are following in the construction and alteration process.

Question 9

Private-sector inspectors have two common roles:

Answer 9

• ensure that appropriate levels of fire and life safety are maintained within all the company’s building and facilities.
• risk assessor when working for an insurance or underwriting company

Question 10

Standard for professional qualification for fire inspector and plan examiner?

Answer 10

NFPA 1031

Question 11

NFPA 1031 separates the inspector’s duties into ____ levels.

Answer 11

3

Question 12

Inspector 1 or 2 job?

handle citizen complaints related to fire and life safety

Answer 12

1

Question 13

Inspector 1 or 2 job?

interpret and apply adopted codes and standards?

Answer 13

1

Question 14

Inspector 1 or 2 job?

perform fire and life safety inspections of new and existing structures

Answer 14

1

Question 15

Inspector 1 or 2 job?

determine occupancy loads for single-use buildings

Answer 15

1

Question 16

Inspector 1 or 2 job?

participate in legal proceedings involving fire and life safety code issues

Answer 16

1

Question 17

Inspector 1 or 2 job?

verify water supply fire flow capacity to determine the ability of water supply systems to provide the required level of protection

Answer 17

1

Question 18

Inspector 1 or 2 job?

interpret and apply adopted codes and standards

Answer 18

2

Question 19

Inspector 1 or 2 job?

determine occupancy loads for multiuse building

Answer 19

2

Question 20

Inspector 1 or 2 job?

testify at legal proceedings

Answer 20

2

Question 21

Inspector 1 or 2 job?

apply fire and life safety codes requirements to complex situations

Answer 21

2

Question 22

Inspector 1 or 2 job?

analyze and recommend modifications to fire and life safety codes

Answer 22

2

Question 23

Inspector 1 or 2 job?

evaluate code compliance in the manufacture, storage, and use of flammable and combustible liquids, gases, and hazardous materials.

Answer 23

2

Question 24

A _________- is any material that is explosive, flammable, poisonous, corrosive, irritating, or otherwise harmful and likely to cause injury or death.

Answer 24

Hazardous Material

Question 25

Inspections can take place for different reasons including (7)

Answer 25

``` annual/routine issuance of a permit response to a complain eminent hazard new construction change in occupancy owner/occupant request ```

Question 26

Can a owner refuse entry to an inspector?

Answer 26

yes. if so, the inspector may need to request in writing an administrative warrant from a judge

Question 27

Who establishes the min. level of training for inspectors and code officials?

Answer 27

The AHJ

Question 28

In most cases, the inspector is or is not responsible for enforcing federal regulations.

Answer 28

is not

Question 29

Do municipal inspectors have the authority to inspect state or federal facilities located within their jurisdictions?

Answer 29

rarely

Question 30

Local jurisdictions may adopt state laws by two methods. What are they?

Answer 30

By Reference or by enabling act

Question 31

Adoption by reference means?

Answer 31

that the local jurisdiction will follow the state law exactly as written

Question 32

adoption by enabling acts means?

Answer 32

this gives the local jurisdiction the use of state law as their basic but then adds or deletes regulations or ordinances based on local needs or preferences.

Question 33

The development and implementation of fire codes are usually the result of a cooperative effect among the following organizations and people.

Answer 33

- fire dept. admin - mayor or city manager - municipal legislative body - legislative body, council, or board

Question 34

The legal status of an inspector defines what?

Answer 34

the amount of authority granted to the inspector, the responsibility to act, and the protection against legal action that the jurisdiction provides?

Question 35

What is a discretionary act?

Answer 35

acts involving actions inspectors consider necessary to fulfill their responsibilities.

Question 36

What is the public-duty doctrine?

Answer 36

states that a government cannot be held liable for an individuals injuries resulting from a gov. officer's or employee's breach of a duty owed to the general public health than to the individual plaintiff. In English - a community cannot be required to do something and at the same time be immune from liability if it or is officers do a job inadequately or negligently.

Question 37

What is Indemnify?

Answer 37

where one party agreeing to compensate another party for losses or damages that are incurred if specific actions or event occur.

Question 38

To indemnify the inspector means what?

Answer 38

that the AHJ assumes the responsibility for any claims against the individual.

Question 39

What is Special Duty?

Answer 39

type of obligation that an inspector assumes by providing expert advice or assistance to a person.

Question 40

What amendments give property owners the right to refuse admittance to an inspector?

Answer 40

The fourth and fourteenth amendments

Question 41

how does an administrative warrant differ from a search warrant?

Answer 41

administrative warrant is a demand to enter for the purpose of inspection. there is no requirement for the inspector to claim or list a probable cause. Search warrants are issued when a LEO establishes probable cause that a crime has been committed and evidence supporting that is on the property.

Question 42

What is a cease and desist order

Answer 42

court order prohibiting a person or business form continuing a particular course of conduct

Question 43

Federal laws concerning inspections include the following topics

Answer 43

- employee safety - transportation of hazardous materials - patient safety in health care facilities - accessibility for handicapped citizens - minimum housing standards

Question 44

Enabling legislation defines ___

Answer 44

the extent and limitations of the departments authority

Question 45

Define duty to inspect clause

Answer 45

the clause charge the inspector with total enforcement. The code is applied equally to all applicable occupancies in a given jurisdiction

Question 46

From a liability standpoint, is it better to less, more thorough inspections or more frequent, less complete inspections

Answer 46

less inspections, more thorough and complete

Question 47

_______ gives the local jurisdiction the use of the state/provincial laws as their basis but then adds or deletes regulations or ordinances based on local needs or preferences.

Answer 47

enabling acts

Question 48

adoption by _______ means that the local jurisdiction will follow the state/provincial laws exactly as written.

Answer 48

reference

Question 49

________ legislation defines the extent and limitations of the department's authority

Answer 49

enabling

Question 50

_____________is the constitutional right of the government to impose laws, statutes, and ordinances

Answer 50

police power

Question 51

a __________ warrant is a demand to enter for the purpose of inspection

Answer 51

administrative