(A) Inspectors and duties. A schedule of fire prevention inspections shall exceed the minimum requirements and provisions of the current "North Carolina Fire Prevention Code." Frequency of inspections shall be established and may be amended from time to time. Fire Marshal(s), Code Enforcement Officer(s), and Fire Inspector(s) shall be appointed by the Town Manager to enforce the Fire Prevention Ordinance and conduct these inspections. These appointments shall continue during good behavior and satisfactory service, and they shall not be removed from office without cause. Inspections personnel shall be certified by the North Carolina Code Officials Qualification Board and duly sworn or affirmed according to North Carolina State Law. Personnel authorized to enforce the Fire Prevention Ordinance shall have the right to enter any premises, without a warrant, in the event of an emergency situation constituting an immediate threat to human life or property or the public safety. Fire Marshal(s), Code Enforcement Officer(s), and Fire Inspector(s), in conjunction with the Chief of the fire district, shall investigate or cause to be investigated, the origin, cause, and circumstances of fire occurring in the town. Assistance may be obtained from any agency necessary. Such investigation shall begin as soon as possible after the occurrence of the fire. The Fletcher Police Department, Fletcher Fire & Rescue Inc. or Mills River Fire & Rescue, Inc., and the Henderson County Fire Marshal's Office shall be promptly advised of any incident to be found involving arson, incendiarism, or other illegal activity. All rights to privacy will be observed.
(B) Fire inspection schedule. All buildings regulated by the N.C. State Fire Code shall be required to be inspected on an annual basis. The Fire Marshal (or designee) shall conduct additional inspections as deemed necessary, but not less frequently than required by the N.C. Fire Prevention Code, and when possible, town ordinance.
(Ord. O-97-10, passed 1-12-1998; Ord. O-05-03, passed 4-11-2005)