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1. When do I need a burning permit?

Anytime that someone wishes to burn any natural debris they need to obtain a burning permit. Because of the changes in the E.P.A. laws you can no longer burn anything outside except natural cut trees (excluding lumber), grass, limbs and leaves. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office.

2. How do I go about obtaining a burning permit?

See our Obtaining a Burning Permit page to find a list of burning permit agents that issue burning permits. Obtaining a Burning Permit Page

3. How often should my place of business be inspected?

The North Carolina Fire Code mandates that fire inspections be conducted once a year to once every 3 years depending on the type of facility and its use.

4. what is the fire inspector looking for when an inspection is conducted?

The inspector is looking for anything that may cause a fire. The inspector will check for fire extinguishers of the correct size and type and ensure that they have had their annual service. The inspector will also look for locked/blocked exits, functional emergency lighting, exit lights, illegal extension cord usage, etc.

5. How long do I have to correct a violation when found?

All life safety violations have to be corrected immediately. Other violations may be corrected within 30 days.

6. How many inspections do I get? How does it work? Are there fines?

After an initial inspection is done, a re-inspection will occur approximately 30 days later. Should violations still exist, a 5-day corrected notice will be issued. This advises that in 5 days, the inspector will return. At that point, a civil citation will be issued for every violation not corrected. This civil citation results in a fine of $100 per violation per day. If all fines are not paid and all violations corrected after 3 days, the business will be closed.

7. How large a fire extinguisher do I need if I have a small business?

Your fire extinguisher must be large enough to have a rating of at least 2A: 10 BC.

8. In work in a manufacturing plant in the Maintenance Department. How many fire extinguishers do we need?

That question is difficult to answer, but you can use this simple rule: no matter where you are standing in your plant, you should be within 75 feet of a fire extinguisher.

9. How often does fire equipment have to be tested?

All fire equipment (fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, fire pumps, fire doors, etc.) requires an annual test with the exception of a kitchen hood extinguishing system. These require inspection/service every 6 months. Only certified and qualified technicians can do this work.

10. I am the job superintendent at the new industrial plant being built. When can I call for and what do I need to get my Certificate of Occupancy?

Please see the Certificate of Occupancy page for full information. Certificate of Occupancy Page

11. I am preparing to move into your area and I am researching fire district lines. Are fire district lines available online?

Fire districts, as well as other information on a particular property, can be obtained by visiting Iredell County's GISMaps website. Iredell County's GISMaps Website