ICC 67 cheat sheet

Inspection frequency is set by occupancy risk class: high-hazard occupancies (assembly, hazardous materials, high-rise) are typically inspected annually, moderate-risk every 1-2 years, and low-risk every 2-3 years, subject to the adopting jurisdiction's ordinance.

A notice of violation must state the code section violated, the specific corrective action required, a compliance deadline, and the appeal procedure and deadline; missing any element weakens enforcement if contested.

Re-inspection deadlines are commonly 30 days for routine violations and 24-72 hours for imminent hazards; document the original date, the compliance date, and the re-inspection result in the case file.

A certificate of occupancy may be withheld or revoked when life-safety systems, egress, or fire-resistive construction required by the approved plans are not installed and verified.

The inspection report is a legal record: record date, time, inspector name and ID, weather/conditions if relevant, occupants present, and photograph references; it may be subpoenaed in litigation.

Permit types commonly requiring fire inspection include operational permits (flammable liquids, hazardous materials, open burning, tents/canopies, fireworks) and construction permits (sprinkler, alarm, hood suppression, standpipe).

Abatement escalation sequence: notice of violation, administrative citation or fine, reinspection fee, then legal referral (civil injunction, criminal complaint, or permit suspension); each step must be documented and time-stamped.

Records retention for inspection files is governed by state statute and local policy; common periods are 3-7 years after case closure, and longer for files tied to injury or litigation holds.

Means of egress inspection verifies capacity, number of exits, travel distance, common path of travel, exit width, door swing, panic hardware, and clear width; egress must remain unobstructed at all times.

Exit sign and emergency lighting acceptance tests require a 30-second functional test monthly and a 90-minute battery test annually under NFPA 101; record results with date and duration.

Sprinkler system inspection checks control valves (open and supervised), gauges (normal static pressure), spare head cabinet inventory, clearance below deflectors (18 inches), and unobstructed 36-inch access to valves and risers.

Fire alarm inspection verifies initiating devices, notification appliance audibility (typically 15 dBA above ambient or 75 dBA at the pillow in sleeping areas), and monitoring/central station connection.

Standpipe and hose system inspection checks valve operability, hose thread compatibility, caps in place, and pressure-regulating device condition; hydrostatic test records are reviewed at intervals set by NFPA 25.

Commercial cooking hood suppression inspection verifies fusible link rating and location, manual pull station, fuel shutoff, cylinder pressure, and semi-annual or more frequent servicing per manufacturer and NFPA 96.

Portable extinguisher inspection verifies monthly visual checks (pin, seal, gauge, tag), annual maintenance, 6-year internal examination, and 12-year hydrostatic test for stored-pressure dry chemical units.

Hazardous materials storage inspection checks separation distances, maximum allowable quantities per control area, ventilation, secondary containment, signage (NFPA 704), and compatibility of stored chemicals.

The fire inspector's entry authority derives from statute, warrant, consent, or exigent circumstances; administrative inspections generally require consent or a warrant when refused, per the administrative search doctrine.

Evidence chain of custody must record who collected the item, date/time, location, description, and every transfer; gaps in the chain can render evidence inadmissible.

Fire cause classification categories are accidental, natural, incendiary, and undetermined; the classification is separate from the cause determination and must be supported by evidence.

Spoliation avoidance requires that the scene be secured and documented before overhaul; photographs, sketches, and notes should be completed before removal or alteration of debris.

Witness interviews should be conducted separately, recorded with date/time and interviewer identity, and documented verbatim where possible; leading questions should be avoided.

The fire scene origin determination uses fire pattern analysis: V-patterns, char depth, alligatoring, and lowest-point-of-burning indicators, corroborated by witness statements and physical evidence.

A search warrant for a fire scene must describe the area to be searched and items sought with particularity; consent searches must be voluntary and documented in writing.

Reports must distinguish observation from inference; statements should be attributed to the source, and opinions should be labeled as such to preserve credibility in court.

Plans review verifies occupancy classification, construction type, allowable area and height, fire-resistive separations, and egress capacity before construction begins.

Occupant load is calculated by dividing floor area by the occupant load factor for the use; the result governs egress width, exit count, and plumbing fixture requirements.

Mixed occupancies require either separated occupancies (with fire-resistive assemblies between uses) or non-separated occupancies (with the most restrictive requirements applied), documented in the plans.

Fire-resistance-rated assemblies must be identified on plans with their rating (hours), and penetrations must be protected with listed firestop systems matching the assembly.

Sprinkler and alarm shop drawings are reviewed against the approved architectural plans for device spacing, coverage, and hydraulic design; discrepancies require a revised submittal.

Fire flow and hydrant spacing are verified against the adopted fire code and water supply analysis; site plans must show hydrant locations, FDC locations, and fire department access roads.

Change of occupancy or use may trigger full code compliance for the new use, including egress, sprinklers, and alarm upgrades, even without new construction.

High-piled combustible storage review verifies commodity classification, storage height, aisle width, sprinkler design criteria, and smoke/heat venting requirements.