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Building Safety Department under Fire Department

Uncle Bob

Uncle Bob

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Oct 17, 2009
Messages
1,409
Location
Texas
In most AHJs I'm familar with; the Building Official and Building Safety Department is under Community Development.

I have heard that in many jurisdictions; the Building Safety Department is under the Fire Department or Fire Marshal's Office.

Do ya'll know of any jurisdictions that are within the Fire Department? If so, does that make the Inspector's part of the Fire Department?

Uncle Bob
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

At one time Charlottesville, Virginia had the building dept. under the fire dept. I don't know if they still do.
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

There are a couple in my area. Building Inspection is a division in the overall department, so yes, in the cases I'm familiar with, they are technically employees of the FD. They are not however, civil service, as are most uniformed employees of FD.
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

Familar with a couple of cities that building is under fire department. They work like texasbo said. Building Inspection Division of the Fire Department. Building Official answers to the Fire Chief. Fire Marshal office another division of the Fire Dept. They answer to Fire Chief also.

Inspectors were not members of the sworn Fire Department. Both situations seemed to have lots of retired firemen as inspectors though.
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

Don't know of any and may the Grace of the good Lord spare me the day.
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

City of Cortland NY Codes is headed up by the FD, building & zoning work under the Chief.
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

JP,

We’re not that bad :lol:

UB,

Ours use to be that way but was a separate division and was only supervised by the Chief since there was no administrative head for the Building Department. The ones I know of in our state (4) are just administered by the FD but are not technically FD employees. The intent for this function is so we can all get along, on-stop shopping and greater communications amongst enforcement officials......................what a concept ;)
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

As a design professional, it really does not matter except that I would like to see it consilodated one way or the other. Nothing is more frustrating than having the Building official say one thing and the FM another. In our jurisdiction, the BO enforces IBC and the FM enforces NFPA. Lots of conflicts. Applying the more restrictive provision in each individual case results in redundancy and extra costs. It would be nice to have a single source to resolve issues or rule on alternative methods requests.
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

We where under the FD until 2005. Chief was strictly administrative Inspectors where not FD personal, different unions and retirement systems. Now we are under the Planning Department. Budget cuts eliminated the Fire Prevention program and personell. All previous FD duties related to plan reviews, prevention inspections etc have been assigned to the Building Department. We receive technical direction from the Fire Chief's office as related to enforcement of Fire Department equipment access, and related Fire Department policies. Been operating this way since Oct 2009 no major problems so far.
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

We have worked very closely with our FM ofiice for the past 6-8 years, coordinating response so that we we in agreement on projects.

We did so well that a couple years ago we started helping out with fire business inspections. Did so well with that, last year they sent 2 fire inspectors back to the line, so now we are training up to do all fire inspections that the FM sends to us.

We will actually be housed in the same office in just a few months.(we're only across the hall now) The FM reports to the Chief, I report to the Community Dev. Director, the joint unit is referred to as the Building Safety Unit.

So far seems to be working well.
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

Do the building inspectors get Barcol loungers too? :lol:

Sorry, FMWB, I just could not resist. I will do penance in Code Purgatory I'm sure.
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

CFC.....you have fire inspectors confused with firefighters.....i
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

Been under both; hated both.. the building department should be a stand alone department.

Community Development doesn't have the "police power" that the FD usually does.

Fire Department usually restricts what they "delegate" to the building department.. but since public/life safety if the ultimate goal.. a better fit.

It sucks...
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

We used to be under Community Development (zoning. barf). That REALLY stank! We are now under the department of engineering. This has worked out very well and seem to be a much better fit.
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

Thanks, Ya'll,

I really appreciate the responses. The information may become very useful to me.

Uncle Bob
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

We used to be under Community Development (zoning. barf). That REALLY stank! We are now under the department of engineering. This has worked out very well and seem to be a much better fit.We used to be under Community Development (zoning. barf). That REALLY stank! We are now under the department of engineering. This has worked out very well and seem to be a much better fit.
Click to expand...
Aren't zoning and building inexorably linked, though? The stated "intent" of the International Zoning Code (which I don't believe anyone has ever adopted) is to "..safeguard the health, property, and public welfare by controlling the design, location, use or occupancy of all buildings and structures..." If this aptly represents the purpose and intent of zoning, then I would think they are hand and glove. No?
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

You are right. The building department and zoning are more or less joined at the hip. My point is that at least in this jurisdiction we have a much better fit being under engineering. More or less building and engineering speak the same laungage.

I'll say it stright, I'd rather slam my head into a meat grinder then to work as a zoning adminstrator. :roll:
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

Zoning codes are more visionary, PUD's, CUP's, Special Exceptions, Variances etc.

Building codes are more regulatory
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

Visionary? I've heard zoning called a lot of things but that is a new one on me! :lol:

Subjective, irregular, (not enough fiber I guess) creative (like defining what is a side, back or front yard) to approve or disapprove depending on the mood their in).

Sketch plat, prelimnary plat, interum plat, submitted plat, near final plat, final plat,commercial site review, development review for commercial, PUD's, CUP's, Special Exceptions, Variances (Better catch them on a good day for the last two) etc. . Could there be any more steps added??? Abd this is just a few examples. :roll:
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

My experience is that changes to the prescriptive zoning or land use codes require an ordinance adopted and approved by the City Council and Mayor. The Building Code authorizes, and actually instructs, the Building Official to consider and approve alternate methods. The building code is much more flexible and, dare I say it, progressive than the typical zoning code. Building technology changes faster than the typical 3 year code cycle can accomodate. Basic zoning principles don't really change.
 
Re: Building Safety Department under Fire Department

Thanks,

I know about zoning.

In most AHJs I'm familar with; the Building Official and Building Safety Department is under Community Development.

I have heard that in many jurisdictions; the Building Safety Department is under the Fire Department or Fire Marshal's Office.

Do ya'll know of any jurisdictions where Building Inspection Departments are within the Fire Department?

If not yours; would you provide name of Municipality and State?

Uncle Bob
 
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