NFPA CFI-II flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Fire Inspector II definition

Under NFPA 1031, a Fire Inspector II conducts inspections, prepares reports, processes violations, and has authority to issue notices and recommend legal action.

Right of entry

Authority to enter premises comes from statute, consent, a warrant, or exigent circumstance; entry without one of these can invalidate enforcement and expose the jurisdiction to liability.

Notice of violation contents

A notice of violation must identify the code section, the specific condition, the corrective action required, and a compliance deadline; vague notices are unenforceable on appeal.

Occupancy classification

The fire code classifies occupancies such as assembly, business, educational, mercantile, residential, storage, and industrial; classification drives egress, occupant load, and fire protection requirements.

Permit-required activities

Typical permit triggers include new construction, alterations, changes of occupancy, hazardous material storage above thresholds, and installation of fire protection systems.

Certificate of occupancy

Issued only after fire code deficiencies from plan review and final inspection are corrected and verified; it confirms the building may be occupied as designed.

Risk-based inspection frequency

High-hazard and assembly occupancies are inspected more often than low-hazard storage or business occupancies under a written inspection schedule.

Egress capacity calculation

Egress capacity is determined by dividing occupant load by capacity per unit width; width must not decrease along the path of travel toward the exit.

Travel distance limits

Travel distance to an exit, common path of travel, and dead-end corridor limits are checked separately, each with numeric limits based on occupancy and sprinkler status.

Construction type and fire resistance

Construction types I through V set required fire resistance of structural elements; permitted reductions apply where automatic sprinkler protection is provided.

Needed fire flow

Fire flow is evaluated against the needed flow for the building's construction, occupancy, and exposure; insufficient flow may require an on-site water supply.

Shop drawing review

Hydraulic calculations and shop drawings for sprinkler, standpipe, alarm, and smoke control systems are reviewed for compliance before installation begins.

Revised drawings during construction

Field deviations from approved plans must be documented, submitted as revised drawings, and approved in writing before the change is accepted.

NFPA 25 scope

NFPA 25 sets inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements for water-based fire protection systems, including quarterly and annual tasks and a five-year internal pipe inspection.

Sprinkler spare head stock

Spare sprinkler heads, a wrench, and matching heads must be kept on site; the required stock quantity scales with the number of heads installed.

Fire pump testing

Fire pumps require weekly no-flow churn runs, annual flow testing, and controller and battery checks under NFPA 25.

Standpipe system testing

Standpipe systems require hydrostatic testing at intervals and flow testing; hose valves and caps must be intact and accessible.

NFPA 72 testing

Fire alarm systems are inspected and tested under NFPA 72; initiating devices, notification appliances, and supervising station connections have defined test frequencies.

Impairment procedures

When a system is impaired, notify the fire department and alarm company, establish a fire watch where required, and document the impairment and restoration.

Extinguisher inspection intervals

Portable extinguishers are inspected monthly and maintained annually, with hydrostatic testing at intervals based on extinguisher type.

Maximum allowable quantity

Hazardous material quantities are compared against the maximum allowable quantity per control area; exceeding the MAQ requires a separate control area or higher-hazard design.

Control area limits

Control areas are limited in number and size by floor level and construction type; basements and upper floors have stricter limits.

Flammable liquid classification

Flammable and combustible liquids are classified by flash point and boiling point; storage, dispensing, and use each carry distinct requirements.

Compressed gas storage

Cylinders must be secured upright, separated by hazard class, and stored away from heat and ignition sources with valve protection in place.

NFPA 704 signage

Hazard identification signage communicates health, flammability, instability, and special hazards at entrances and storage locations.

Spray finishing requirements

Spray finishing, dipping, and coating operations require ventilation, bonding and grounding, and separation from ignition sources.

Combustible dust controls

Dust-producing operations require housekeeping, ignition control, and explosion protection where combustible dust hazards exist.

Chain of custody

Every transfer of evidence is documented; a broken chain can render evidence inadmissible and undermine the case.

Fire scene security

The scene must be secured and origin and cause determination coordinated with the authority having jurisdiction before evidence is disturbed.

Inspection report contents

Reports record date, time, inspector, occupancy, persons contacted, conditions observed, code sections cited, and required corrective actions.

Report objectivity

Reports must be factual and objective; conclusions should be supported by observed conditions and referenced code sections, and written as if read in court.

Community risk reduction

Community risk reduction identifies local risk profiles and targets inspection, education, and engineering interventions based on data from inspections and incidents.