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Inspections & Permits

An inspection by the Fire Marshal is required for any business in the Town of Wadesboro.  

Fire Inspections and Enforcement

Fire Prevention Inspections
Fire prevention inspections are performed throughout the town by the Fire Marshal.  View the most common violations found by fire inspectors.

Periodic Fire Code Inspections
Periodic fire code inspections are required by the North Carolina State Fire Prevention Code for all premises, except one and two family dwellings, and are scheduled based on your type of occupancy as defined by the Fire Code. The examples below illustrate the minimum frequency rate of inspections; however, it is not an all-inclusive list.
 
 Yearly Inspections

  • Assembly Areas - Restaurants, clubs, gyms and places of entertainment, etc.

  • Hazardous Materials Facilities - Hazardous materials, flammable liquids and explosives facilities, etc.

  • High-Rise Buildings – All use types.

  • Institutional Facilities - Hospital, nursing homes, licensed care facilities, jails, etc.

  • Residential Locations – Apartments, hotels, motels, dormitories, etc.


Two-Year Inspections

  • Educational Facilities – Private schools, etc. public schools are inspected every six months.

  • Factory / Industrial Facilities – Manufacturing and assembly plants, etc.


Three-Year Inspections

  • Assembly Areas – With an occupant load less than 100

  • Business Locations – Banks, barber & beauty shops, gas stations and self-service, educational occupancies above the 12th grade, print shops, professional service offices (architects, attorneys, dentists, physicians, engineers), etc.

  • Mercantile Facilities - Department stores, drug stores, markets, retail or wholesale stores, etc.

  • Miscellaneous Facilities – Tanks, silos, greenhouses, etc.

  • Religious Facilities - Churches and synagogues

  • Storage Facilities – Warehouses, garages, hangers, etc.


Fire Code Violations
If you observe or are concerned about a potential fire code violation, please follow the process listed below:

  • To submit a fire code complaint during regular business hours (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.), call 704-694-1014 

  • If a life-safety hazard exists outside of regular business hours and requires immediate attention, call 704-694-1014 

  • If a non-life safety hazard exists outside of regular business hours, complete the Citizen Fire Code Complaint/Citation. A fire inspector will investigate the complaint the following business day. Please be as specific as possible with complaint details.


Residential Fire Inspections
 

Foster Homes
The Department of Social Services (DSS) may contact the Fire Marshal’s Office to conduct fire inspections, as required. Occupants should have the correct paperwork from DSS prior to the inspection and have their DSS worker present at the inspection.  For more information, call 704-694-1014


Homes
Single family and two family dwellings are not required by the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code to be inspected.  However, since a large percentage of fires occur in the home Wadesboro Fire Department offers residential home inspections, upon request.  To request a residential inspection, call the Fire Marshal’s Office at 704-694-1014

Common Violations

The following items are the typical violations located by fire inspectors during routine fire inspections of buildings.  In bold is a summary of the code violation and below that are the actions on how to correct the violation.  At right, you will find examples of common violations.

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Maintain Access & Clearance to Fire-Safety Equipment

  • Maintain 30 inches of clearance around all electrical panels, furnace units and water heaters.

  • Maintain 36 inches of clearance around sprinkler risers.


Change of Occupancy / New Business

  • A fire inspection must be performed when there is a change of occupancy.

  • Contact the Fire Marshal’s Office to schedule a fire inspection prior to opening a new business.


Exit & Emergency Lighting

  • Emergency lighting must come on if the power goes out, and be able to last 90 minutes.

  • Exit lights must be illuminated and visible from all directions.

  • Perform annual testing of all Emergency and Exit lighting, and maintain paperwork for inspectors to review.

  • Test lights monthly to ensure they are in working order. Replace batteries and bulbs as needed.


Electrical Items, Extension Cords-Use Surge Protectors as a Replacement

  • Extension cords may not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring.

  • Extension cords should not be secured to a floor or placed under rugs.

  • General Electrical - No Electrical wiring in a junction box can be exposed

  • Surge Protectors cannot be chained together.


Fire Extinguishers

  • Fire extinguishers must be placed in locations where they are visible and available for immediate use.

  • Fire extinguishers must be serviced annually.

  • Fire extinguishers weighing less than 40 pounds must be mounted no higher than 60 inches (5 feet) above the floor.

  • Fire extinguishers weighing more than 40 pounds must be mounted no higher than 42 inches (3 ½ feet) above the floor.

  • Maintain 36 inches of clearance around all fire extinguishers.

  • Check the yellow pages or Internet for listings of companies certified to perform fire extinguisher services.


Fire Safety Equipment

  • Fire alarm systems must be tested annually.

  • Fire sprinkler systems must be tested annually.

  • Fire suppression hoods must be tested every 6 months.


General Fire Hazards

  • It is not permissible to have unapproved portable electric space heaters.

  • Maintain 24 inches clearance from all ceilings, (18 inches if sprinklered).

  • Multi-plug adapters are not allowed.

  • Overloaded electrical sockets.

  • Use only UL listed surge protectors.


Locked & Blocked Exits
Exits must remain unlocked and unblocked at all times.

Physical Address
Addresses must be posted in numbers at least four inches tall and placed in a location that is visible from the street facing the front of the building.

Common Violations

Permits

Permits are required for various operations and equipment use. Examples of required permits include, but are not limited to:

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  • Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Licensing Inspections

  • Amusement Buildings

  • Automatic Fire Extinguishing System

  • Blasting

  • Carnival & Fairs

  • Combustible Dust Producing Operation

  • Combustible Fibers

  • Compressed Gases

  • Covered Mall Buildings

  • Cryogenic Fluids

  • Cutting & Welding

  • Exhibits & Trade Shows

  • Explosives

  • Fire Alarm & Detection Systems/Related Equipment

  • Fire Pumps & Related Equipment

  • Fireworks Display

  • Flammable/Combustible Liquids

  • Fumigation & Thermal Insecticidal Fogging Hazardous Materials

  • Industrial Ovens

  • Liquid/Gas Fueled Vehicles or Equipment in Assemblies

  • Lumber Yards/Woodworking Plants

  • Open Burning

  • Open Flames & Candles

  • Private Fire Hydrants

  • Pyrotechnic Special Effects

  • Spraying & Dipping

  • Sprinkler Systems & Related Equipment

  • Standpipes

  • Tank Installation or removal

  • Tents/Canopies

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Contact the Wadesboro Fire Marshal’s Office for information about applying for and obtaining permits. Failure to obtain a permit when required constitutes a fine of $100.

Permits
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