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Inspections & Investigations
About the Division of Inspections and Investigations
The Fire Department is responsible for the inspection of area businesses to ensure compliance with the Statewide Fire Code. State law requires the Fire Department to investigate all fires, explosions, and threats to burn property within the city limits.All City's Fire Inspectors are state certified under NFPA 1031. The City's Fire Investigators are state certified under NFPA 1033 and have full law enforcement powers under the Department of Criminal Justice, the same as any sheriff or police officer.
Fire Marshal
The City's Deputy Fire Marshal is the certified Virginia Fire Official, Virginia Fire Inspector, Virginia Fire Investigator and a Law Enforcement Officer. Other employees within the department hold certifications as fire investigators, and they assist the department if the primary investigator is unavailable.Inspections
The Inspections/Investigation Division conducts the inspection of businesses on a routine basis to promote public safety and the prevention of fires. Fire prevention codes deal with precautions against fire, open burning, maintenance of fire suppression systems, and even storage of hazardous materials.All schools are required to have yearly fire inspections. The Fire Marshal’s Office generally performs two inspections annually, along with routine checks throughout the school year. The State also requires all day cares to be inspected and have fire drills preformed once a month. The Fire Marshals’ Office conduct these inspections and review the fire drill reports to make that every day care is in compliance and safe.
The Fire Marshal’s Office inspects all decorative materials for compliance. Decorations are required to be fire retardant, fire extinguishers must be placed throughout the area, and smoke detectors must be installed. Any material not meeting the standard must be treated with flame retardant or removed.