Question:Do rubber matts or things like the matts used for yoga exercises in small exercise studios have to be flame treated. I am being told they do, but I also have talked with another fire marshal and he says they do not since the matts are not in an exit corridor and on the floor.
Answer:This particular answer is not found in the fire code. Section804 of the Building Code provides the specific testing requirements for floor coverings. I would suggest contacting NC DOI, Barry Gupton, for the answer to this particular question.
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Question:Can an employer make an employee pay for a fire code violation?
Answer:The fire code nor NC general statues address this question. The issuance of citations for fire code violations varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Nothing in the fire code requires a citation to be issued for violations.
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Question:If a church start a church in a house. The house will be live in my the pastor. there is a room on the house to hold 45-50 people what code will they have to go my . they would be using this place for 5 year. until a new church is build
Answer:The North Carolina Building Code would prohibit this arrangement. If you want to use a house for a church a change of use/occupancy would be required. Depending on the size and other variables it would either be a place of assembly or business. It would most likely be cost prohibitive to build the required separation to create a living space for the pastor.
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Question:What is the oath a Volunteer Fire Fighter takes prior to being accepted as a Volunteer Fire Fighter?
Answer:This question does not a code question.
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Question:Are glass doors required on a wood burning fireplace with new masonry construction in Orange County?
Answer:Nothing in the fire code requires class door on a masonry fire place, however there could be a local ordinance.
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Question:We just bought a 44 year old house in Chapel Hill. It has a big fireplace in the living room and a small wood-burning indoor grill in the kitchen on the other side of the living room fireplace. The chimney cleaner told us it is illegal to use and recommended we seal it off . Is it illegal to use and why?
Answer:The use of chimneys in single family homes is not regulated by the NC State Fire Code. We suggest you get more information from the chimney cleaner as to why they are telling you it is legal.
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Question:Has there been any guidance or code changes for the use of sky lanterns?
Answer:The code change prohibiting untethered sky lanterns was approved by the NC Building Code Council. The effective date is not until Jan 2017. Therefore is not fully enforceable until the effective date. However, as a fire code official I would not approved the use of sky lanterns, especially in a forum that allows for the release of a significant number of lanterns being released at the same time. With regard to this question several jurisdiction in North Carolina prohibit the release of Sky Lanterns using section 308, specially section 308.1.2.
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Question:Are Fire Inspectors, as Code Enforcement Officers, required to take an Oath of Office to enforce the NC State Fire Prevention Code along with local ordinances relating to Fire Prevention?
Answer:The requirements for taking an Oath of Office is not regulated by the code. It would be determined by the rules and guidelines of the local government or jurisdiction.
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Question:Am I allowed to use a fire pit in my back yard? Where might I find that information?
Answer:Section 307.4.2 allows for recreational fires. It states that recreational fires should not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or other combustible materials, the fuel sizes is limited to 3 x 2,the fire shall be constantly attended until extinguished and there must be a method for extinguishment such as a garden hose, bucket of dirt or fire extinguisher. A recreational fire cannot be used to burn household or yard waste. It is important to check with the local fire marshal to ensure there are not local ordinances that prohibit recreational fires. Our jurisdiction allows for recreational fires as long as the provisions of the fire code are followed.
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Question:Can you have firepits at a school function for a banquet to make s'mores? (Mecklenburg county)
Answer:Section 307 provides the requirements for outdoor fires and fire pits. Recreational fires are allowed by the NC State Fire Code. We recommend you contact the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal office to determine if they have additional permit requirements or restrictions.
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Question:Exit requirements in school classroom?
Answer:Section 1015 provides information on required exits and exit doors. The number of doors is based on the total occupancy load for the room/space. There is not a special requirement for school classrooms. Day cares are treated different.
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Question:What is the allowable quantity of medical grade oxygen stored in gas form of a mercantile occupancy? Building has no separated control areas.
Answer:The maximum allowable quantity for liquid oxygen is 250 gallons. This may be increased to 500 gallons if stored in an approved hazardous materials cabinet or in a sprinklered building. If stored in a cabinet in a sprinklered building the amount is 1000 gallons.
The maximum allowable quantity for compressed oxygen is 150 pounds. This may be increased to 300 pounds if stored in an approved hazardous materials cabinet or in a sprinklered building. If stored in a cabinet in a sprinklered building the amount is 600 pounds.
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Question:Does North Carolina Counties have to provide fire protection to its citizens?
Answer:The fire code does not address this question.
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Question:What is the height requirement of mounting kitchen fire extinguisher in commercial kitchens?
Answer:The mounting height for Kitchen Fire Extinguishers (Class K) is the same as all fire extinguishers, there is not a unique height for Class K. NFPA 10 Section 6.1.3.8 .1 - Fire Extinguishers having a weight not exceeding 40 lb shall be installed so that the top of the fire extinguisher is not more than 5 ft above the floor. Section 6.1.3.8.2 - Fire Extinguishers having a weight exceeding 40 lb shall be installed so that the top of the fire extinguisher is not more than 3 1/2 ft above the floor. Section 6.1.3.8.3 In no case shall the clearance between the bottom of the hand portable fire extinguisher and the floor be less than 4 in.
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Question:Landlord said it's safe to have Air Conditioner and Stove on same breaker, local fire marshal inNC said it's a code violation.
Answer:Section 605.1 of the North Carolina State Fire Code gives the fire code official the authority to abate any identified electrical hazards. NEC Sections 110.14(a) and NEC 220.60 should be referenced to determine if this situation is a violation of the electrical code. If the NEC would prohibit this type of arrangement, then once identified the fire code official could take action to abate the code violation.
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Question:What is a "Timely Manner" as related to inspection requests as it is now subject to HB255 (its now session law)?
Answer:This forum is for addressing fire code questions and concerns. This particular question is with regard to a NC General Statute. Fire code officials cannot provide an interpretation of general statutes. Please consult your governmental attorney for questions related to general statutes.