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Fire Marshal

The mission of Hertford County Office of Fire Marshal is to prevent and reduce the incidence of fire by increasing awareness and knowledge of fire safety. This mission will be accomplished through fire prevention education, fire investigations and North Carolina Fire Prevention Code compliance inspections.

 

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Contact Information

Christopher E. Smith

Hertford County Fire Marshal

chris.smith@hertfordcountync.gov

Telephone: (252) 358-7861

Fax: (252) 358-7899

Physical Address:

102 Industrial Park Road

Winton, NC 27986

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 566

Winton, NC 27986 

 

Thank you for taking time to learn more about the Hertford County Fire Prevention Code Enforcement Program. This information will provide the Hertford County businesses and public with basic information about the Fire Prevention Code Program. We hope that after reading this information you will have a better understanding of this important program.

What is the Hertford County Fire Marshal's Office?

The Hertford County Fire Marshal’s Office is funded by the Hertford County Board of Commissioners and is directed by the Emergency Management Director/Fire Marshal.  The primary functions of the Fire Marshal’s Office are:

What is the Hertford County Fire Prevention Code Enforcement Program?

Under the direction of the Fire Marshal includes two part time fire inspector and a secretary.  Our service area includes all of the unincorporated areas of Hertford County and all municipalities excluding the Town of Ahoskie.

What is the State Fire Prevention Code?

The Fire Prevention Code is a set of minimum mandatory fire safety standards that apply to all occupancies in North Carolina with the exception of one and two family dwellings. The Fire Prevention Code is uniformly enforced in all areas of the state.

The Fire Code generally regulates:

  • General precautions against fire

  • Fire protection requirements

  • Electrical safety

  • Exit and egress maintenance

  • Flammable and combustible liquid safety

  • Other specialized operation safety requirements

These regulations apply to new and existing buildings.

CLICK HERE to view common code violations with pictures.

How Often Will Hertford County Provide A Fire Inspection?

The Hertford County Fire Marshal’s Office will respond to any complaint made to our office. Otherwise, inspections of occupancies will be provided on the following schedule:

Once Every Year: Hazardous, Institutional, High Rise, Assembly, Common Areas of residential (multi-family dwelling and townhouses).

Once Every Two Years: Industrial and Educational (except public schools, which are performed every 6 months).

Once Every Three Years: Business, Mercantile, Storage, Churches and Synagogues.

This is the minimum required schedule for inspections. This does not prevent the authority having jurisdiction from conducting more frequent inspections than the above listed schedule.

Who Will Perform These Fire Safety Inspections?

All persons who enforce the State Fire Prevention Code are certified to do so by the North Carolina Code Official’s Qualifications Board. Each inspector has undergone extensive education and experience to provide you quality service. Not only are our inspectors certified to perform code enforcement, they are also North Carolina certified firefighters. This enables our staff to bring to you a clear understanding of fire behavior.

With the exception of the area that falls in the Municipal limits and Extra Territorial Jurisdiction of the Town of Ahoskie.

How Will the Fire Inspection Program Work?

Upon arrival, the inspector will ask for the owner, manager or safety officer. After greeting, the two will survey the exterior of the facility, then the interior. A systematic inspection will occur whereby code violations will be determined by the inspector. Each item will be thoroughly explained. A re-inspection date will then be scheduled within 30 days if needed. The owner/operator will be provided with a copy of the inspection report.

On the re-inspection date, an inspector will return or call to confirm that all necessary corrections have been made. If corrections have not been properly abated, a second re-inspection date will be set.

How Do I report a Hazard or Violation?

A hazard or violation may be reported at any time. The Fire Marshal’s Office will respond to any complaint regarding a life safety hazard, illegal burning or other fire code violations in our service area. The complaints or violations may be reported directly to the Fire Marshal’s Office at the following numbers:

Call (252) 358-7861 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. or complete the Fire Code Compliant Form.

Notice: All Fire Inspection Reports are public records and are available upon request.