Textbook/Other Materials

Required Text:
IFSTA Fire Inspection and Code Enforcement, 6^th edition
Fire Inspector I Student Workbook 03/05, available from the Shelton State Bookstore at 1-800-538-0762.

Additional Material Required:
Calculator; NFPA 101, Life Safety Code; NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code; NFPA 25, Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Sprinkler Systems; NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers; NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code; Fire Prevention Code or NFPA 1.

Supplementary readings:
NFPA 1031, Standard for Professional Qualification for Fire Inspector and Plans Examiner, 2003 edition, available from NFPA at www.nfpa.org.

Please note: Test questions are taken from the instructor's lecture AND the assigned reading. While some questions from the assigned reading may not be covered during class due to time constraints, students are responsible for knowing and understanding ALL information assigned in the syllabus.

Instructor material:
Teaching Outline, Student Workbook, and PowerPoint: Rev. 3/2005

Course Description/Objectives

Description:
This course is designed for the fire inspector ready to advance his/her educational training to the next level. This course delves deeper into the interpretation of applicable codes and standards, covers the procedure for various types of inspections and prepares the inspector for the plans review process.

Goals:
The purpose of this course is to specify, in terms of performance objectives, the minimum requirements for professional service as a fire inspector. This course shall cover the requirements for the Fire Inspector I level of progression. 

Objectives:
After completion of the Fire Inspector I course, the candidate must be able to perform the following job performance requirements:

• Prepare inspection reports, given observations from a field inspection, so that the report is clear and concise and accurately reflects the findings of the inspection in accordance with applicable codes and standards.
• Recognize the need for a permit, given a situation or condition, so that requirements for permits are communicated in accordance with the policies of the jurisdiction. 
• Recognize the need for plan review, given a situation or condition, so that requirements for plan reviews are communicated in accordance with the policies of the jurisdiction.
• Investigate common complaints, given a reported situation or condition, so that complaint information is recorded, the AHJ-approved process is initiated, and the complaint is resolved.
• Identify the applicable code or standard, given a fire protection, fire prevention, or life safety issue, so that the applicable document, edition, and section are referenced.
• Participate in legal proceedings, given the findings of a field inspection or a complaint and consultation with legal counsel, so that all information is presented accurately and the inspector’s demeanor is professional.
• Identify the occupancy classification of a single-use occupancy, given a description of the occupancy and its use, so that an accurate classification is made according to the applicable codes and standards.
• Compute the allowable occupant load of a single-use occupancy or portion thereof, given a detailed description of the occupancy, so that the calculated allowable occupant load is established in accordance with applicable codes and standards.
• Inspect means of egress elements, given observations made during a field inspection of an existing building, so that means of egress elements are maintained in compliance with applicable codes and standards and all deficiencies are identified, documented, and reported in accordance with the policies of the jurisdiction.
• Verify the type of construction for an addition or remodeling project, given field observations or a description of the project and the materials being used, so that the construction type is classified and recorded in accordance with the applicable codes and standards and the policies of the jurisdiction.
• Determine the operational readiness of existing fixed fire suppression systems, given test documentation and field observations, so that the systems are in an operational state, maintenance is documented, and all deficiencies are identified, documented, and reported in accordance with the policies of the jurisdiction.
• Determine the operational readiness of existing fire detection and alarm systems, given test documentation and field observations, so that the systems are in an operational state, maintenance is documented, and all deficiencies are identified, documented, and reported in accordance with the policies of the jurisdiction.
• Determine the operational readiness of existing portable fire extinguishers, given field observations and test documentation, so that the equipment is in an operational state, maintenance is documented, and all deficiencies are identified, documented, and reported in accordance with the policies of the jurisdiction.
• Recognize hazardous conditions involving equipment, processes, and operations, given field observations, so that the equipment, processes, or operations are conducted and maintained in accordance with applicable codes and standards and all deficiencies are identified, documented, and reported in accordance with the policies of the jurisdiction.
• Compare an approved plan to an existing fire protection system, given approved plans and field observations, so that any modifications to the system are identified, documented, and reported in accordance with the policies of the jurisdiction.
• Verify that emergency planning and preparedness measures are in place and have been practiced, given field observations, copies of emergency plans, and records of exercises, so that plans are prepared and exercises have been performed in accordance with applicable codes and standards and all deficiencies are identified, documented, and reported in accordance with the policies of the jurisdiction.
• Inspect emergency access for an existing site, given field observations, so that the required access for emergency responders is maintained or so that deficiencies are identified, documented, and corrected in accordance with the applicable codes, standards, and policies of the jurisdiction.
• Verify code compliance for incidental storage, handling, and use of flammable and combustible liquids and gases, given field observations and inspection guidelines from the authority having jurisdiction, so that applicable codes and standards are addressed and all deficiencies are identified, documented, and reported in accordance with the policies of the jurisdiction.
• Verify code compliance for incidental storage, handling, and use of hazardous materials, given field observations, so that applicable codes and standards for each hazardous material encountered are addressed and all deficiencies are identified, documented, and reported in accordance with the policies of the jurisdiction.
• Recognize a hazardous fire growth potential in a building or space, given field observations, so that the hazardous conditions are identified, documented, and reported in accordance with the policies of the jurisdiction.
• Determine code compliance, given the codes, standards, and policies of the jurisdiction and a fire protection issue, so that the applicable codes, standards, and policies are identified and compliance determined.
• Verify fire flows for a site, given fire flow test results and water supply data, so that required fire flows are in accordance with applicable codes and standards and all deficiencies are identified, documented, and reported in accordance with the policies of the jurisdiction.

Instructional methods: Classroom Instruction

 Course Schedule

 (Tentative, subject to change depending on the progress of the class)

Monday
Introduction; Course Objectives; Authority, Responsibility and Organization; Inspection Procedures

Tuesday
Combustion and Fire Growth; Fire Hazard Recognition; Construction and Occupancy Classifications

Wednesday
Site Access and Means of Egress; Water Based Fire Protection Systems

Thursday
Extinguishers, Systems, and Alarms; Plans Review; Hazardous Materials

Friday
Storage, Handling and Use of Hazardous Materials, Review and Critique; Certification Exam

Course Policies

Tardiness:
Students must adhere to class schedules. Students are required to be punctual for all classes and class activities. Classes will begin promptly at the scheduled time unless specific instructions are given otherwise.

Class participation:
This course will involve discussion, questions and answers on the materials, and case study. Class participation is expected from all students.

Safety:
Safety of the students is top priority to the Alabama Fire College. Students must adhere to safety regulations while attending a class on or off the Fire College campus.  At the Fire College campus, safety instructions are posted in every classroom, as well as escape routes and tornado actions.

Academic misconduct:
Academic misconduct or dishonesty such as cheating and plagiarism is not permitted in class. Suspected cases of academic misconduct will be reported to the Executive Director. Conduct detrimental to the fire service on or off campus will not be tolerated.  We will investigate any complaints, and if the complaint is valid the student will be dismissed and his/her agency will be notified.

Grading:
Letter grades are assigned according to the following system for all certification courses for which students have registered.
A – Excellent (90-100)
B – Good (80-89)
C – Average (70-79)
Satisfactory grades for certification are A, B, or C. A mark of AU is assigned for course work performed as an audit.

Certification:
There will be an examination for state certification provided by the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission. An overall score of 70% is required to the successful completion of this examination. Re-tests may be taken after 30 days and within 12 months of the date of course completion. The Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission is accredited by the National Professional Qualifications System (NPQS). The Executive Director has generously decided to fund national registration and certification for all successful students, so each student will automatically receive certification from the NPQS upon successful completion of the course and exam.

Student Feedback

Evaluation form:
An evaluation form will be provided for each student at the end of the course.  Please use this evaluation form as a means of communicating your opinions on the course, course content, instructor and facilities.