Inspections and Fire Code Mandatory Permits 

Smoke Detector Service
Private Residence Safety Check

The Fire Chief of the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue is charged with handling the Inspections and Code Enforcement Division for the City, which mainly takes care of the Building, Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical Codes set forth by the North Carolina Building Code Committee, while the Fire and Rescue Division is tasked with ensuring that the North Carolina State Building Code:  Fire Prevention Code is enforced and followed throughout the City of Kinston.

Fire Prevention Code

The North Carolina State Building Code:  Fire Prevention Code is based off of the most current International Fire Code and has special sections introduced throughout to specially fit the needs of the State of North Carolina through model code regulations that safeguard the public health and safety in all communities, large and small.  

(2012 ICC NCFC Preface, Introduction)

The purpose of this code is to establish the minimum requirements consistent with nationally recognized good practice for providing a reasonable level of life safety and property protection from the hazards of Fire, explosion and dangerous conditions in new and existing buildings, structures and premises and to provide safety to firefighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.  

(2012 ICC NCFC Ch. 1, Sec 101 Scope and General Requirements, 101.3 Intent)

Scope of the Fire Prevention Code

The North Carolina Building Code:  Fire Prevention Code establishes regulations affecting or regulating to Structures, Processes, Premises and safeguards regarding the following:

  1. The hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use of structures, materials, or devices;
  2. Conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises;
  3. Fire hazards in the structure or on the premises from occupancy or operation;
  4. Matters related to the construction, extension, repair, alteration or removal of fire suppression or alarm systems; and
  5. Conditions affecting the safety of firefighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.

(2012 ICC NCFC Ch 1, Sec 101 Scope and General Requirements, 101.2 Scope)

Business Inspections Daycare Inspections, Foster Home Inspections and Group Home Inspections/Re-Inspections

The Fire Chief and the Fire Code Official (Fire Marshal) of the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue has a responsibility to ensure and enforce the Fire Prevention Codes are being upheld to the full extent of the law and standards set forth by the Fire Code.  Section 104, General Authority and Responsibilities of the Fire Prevention Codes, explains that the Fire Code Official and the designee's of the office have certain permissions to enter into businesses, Daycare Facilities, Foster Homes and Group Homes to perform Inspections which ensure that the structures and premises are within the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code Standards and can conduct proper business, have occupants, and in the case for Daycare Facilities, Foster Homes and Group Homes, they are suitable for residents to live safely and comfortably in accordance and set forth by the North Carolina State Rules, Regulations, and Law.

Request for Inspections

The Requests for the Inspections of Daycare Facilities, Foster Homes or Group Homes are provided below and can be made through the Administration Assistant of the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue to the Fire Code Official for scheduling.  There are fees associated with each Group Home Inspection, Daycare Inspection, and Foster Care Home Inspection, and is required to be paid in full upon receipt of the request and prior to the scheduled Inspection can take place.

Requests can be made by clicking on the proper box/tab below and clicking on the link.

Payments

Payments can be made by Check, Cashier's/Banker's Check, Money Order or Credit/Debit Card Payment** at the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue (Headquarters) Station 1, 401 E Vernon Avenue, Kinston, North Carolina 28501, during business hours, or by mailing a Check, Cashier's/Banker's Check or Money Order made out to the City of Kinston, in care of, the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue at P. O. Drawer 339, Kinston, North Carolina 28502.

** (Conditions of Credit/Debit Card Payment can be made over the phone with the Administration Assistant of the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue by calling 252-939-3164)

  1. Business Inspection Request
  2. Daycare Inspection Request
  3. Foster Home Inspection Request
  4. Group Home Inspection Request

Business Inspection Request

Fee:  None Associated with this Request

Business Inspection Request

Fire_Safety_Kit

Customer Feedback

We at the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue value reflection and evaluation of our performances of our personnel and abilities.  To be a Fire Inspector, a certain level of expertise needs to maintained and followed.  By inviting our citizens that we had a direct interaction with to take the time and evaluate that experience, we can get a good snapshot of our performance by our Fire Inspectors, there skills and interactions with our citizens to ensure they are keeping to the mission statement of our department.  

If you have had a recent business fire inspection by our Fire Inspectors, please feel free and take time to click on the link below to take this short and easy survey to tell us about your experience during our encounter with us.

Business Fire Inspection Interaction Survey

Inspection 

Permits

Permits are necessary to allow the Building Code Official and Fire Code Official access to information prior to construction and/or occupation and operation of a business.

Permits required by the Fire Prevention Codes shall be obtained from the Fire Code Official (Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue).  Permit Fees, if any, shall be paid prior to issuance of the actual permit.  Issued permits shall be kept on the premises designated therein at all times and shall be readily available for Inspection by the Fire Code Official.

(2012 ICC NCFC Ch 1, Sec 105 Permits, 105.1.1 Permits Required) 

Operational Permits listed as mandatory in Section 105.6 shall be obtained from the Fire Code Official (Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue).

(2012 ICC NCFC Ch 1, Sec 105 Permits, 105.1.2 Permits)

A permit shall constitute permission to maintain, store, or handle materials; or to conduct processes which produce conditions hazardous to life or property; or to install equipment utilized in connection with such activities; or to install or modify any fire protection system or equipment or any other construction, equipment installation or modification in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Prevention Codes where a permit is required by Section 105.6 or 105.7.  Such permission shall not be construed as authority to violate, cancel or set aside any of the provisions of the Fire Prevention Codes or other applicable regulations or laws of the jurisdiction.

(2012 ICC NCFC Ch 1, Sec 105 Permits, 105.3 Conditions of a Permit)

An Operational permit shall remain in effect until reissued, renewed or revoked or for such a time as prescribed in the permit.  Permits are not transferable and any change in occupancy, operation, tenancy, or ownership shall require a new permit to be issued.

(2012 ICC NCFC Ch 1 Sec 105 Permits, 105.3.1 Expiration)

Applications

The Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue requires all Mandatory Operational Permits listed below and in the Fire Prevention Code, to be applied for and kept on the premises in accordance with the Fire Prevention Codes.  The Applications for the Permits are provided below and can be electronically filled out, Electronically Signed* and submitted into the Fire Code Official for Approval and issuance.    There are fees associated with each Mandatory Operational Permit, and is required to be paid in full upon receipt of the application and prior to issuance of the Permit being requested.

* (Conditions of an Electronic Signature are as follows:  By checking the "I agree" box below, you agree and acknowledge that 1] your application will not be signed in the sense of a traditional paper document, 2] by signing in this alternate manner, you authorize your electronic signature to be valid and binding upon you to the same force and effect as a handwritten signature, and 3] you may still be required to provide a traditional signature at a later date.)

Payments

UPON PERMIT APPROVAL from the Fire Code Official, the Fire Administration Assistant will make contact with the Applicant to make arrangements of payment and issuance of the Permit.  

Payment can be made by Check, Cashier's/Banker's Check, Money Order or Credit/Debit Card Payment** at the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue (Headquarters) Station 1, 401 E Vernon Avenue, Kinston, North Carolina 28501, during business hours, or by mailing a Check, Cashier's/Banker's Check or Money Order made out to the City of Kinston, in care of, the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue at P. O. Drawer 339, Kinston, North Carolina 28502.

** (Conditions of Credit/Debit Card Payment can be made over the phone with the Administration Assistant of the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue by calling 252-939-3164)

Mandatory Permits Listing:

The following list is for the Mandatory Permit Applications that the Kinston Department of Fire and Rescue will require for any Business, Structure or Premises within the City Limits.  Click on the Proper Box/Tab of the Operational Permit you wish to apply for and select the Application Form:

  1. 105.6.2 - Amusement Buildings
  2. 105.6.4 - Carnivals and Fairs
  3. 105.6.6 - Combustible Dust-Producing Operations
  4. 105.6.9 - Covered Mall Buildings
  5. 105.6.13 - Exhibits and Trade Shows
  6. 105.6.14 - Explosives
  7. 105.6.16, 6-11 - Flammable and Combustible Liquids
  8. 105.6.19 - Fumigation and Thermal Insecticidal Fogging
  9. 105.6.26 - Liquid or Gas-Fueled Vehicles or Equipment in Assembly Buildings
  10. 105.6.35 - Private Fire Hydrants
  11. 105.6.36 - Pyrotechnic Special Effects Materials
  12. 105.6.41 - Spraying and Dipping
  13. 105.6.43 - Temporary Membrane Structures, Tents and Canopies
  14. 105.7.7, 3 - Flammable or Comustible Liquids Tank Removal Construction Permit
  15. Fire Protection Permit

Amusement Buildings Application

An Operational Permit is required to operate a special Amusement Building.

(2012 ICC NCFC Ch 1, Sec 105 Permits, 105.6.2)

Fee:  $50.00

Renewal Date:  Annually

Amusement Buildings Operations Permit Application

Amusement