Fire Inspections
The Charlottesville Fire Prevention and Protection Code requires that Life Safety Systems and Fire Protection Systems shall be inspected, tested, and maintained at regular intervals defined by their respective regulating Codes. This is the prescribed form and format to file records of inspections, tests, or maintenance with the Fire Marshal's Office.
Sec. 12-32 – Local Regulations.
(11) Testing and Inspection reports
(i) Testing, inspection, repair and maintenance required—fire protection systems and other life safety systems, whether required or nonrequired, shall be inspected, tested, repaired and maintained in an operative condition at all times, and in accordance with requirements set forth within the SFPC. Itemized records of all system tests, inspections, repairs and maintenance required by the SFPC shall be maintained by the property owner on the premises of the system(s), and copies of such records shall be submitted to the city’s fire official as required by paragraph (ii), below.
(ii) Reporting—It shall be the responsibility of any person (including, without limitation any individual or company) providing or conducting tests or inspections of fire protection and life safety systems for properties within the city to submit a copy of the itemized records of such tests, inspections, repairs, or maintenance to the fire official’s approved and designated web-based reporting vendor, within 30 days of the test, inspection, repair or maintenance. With respect to inspections, testing, maintenance, repair, or replacement of fire protection and life safety systems, the term “itemized records” includes, but is not limited to: identification of the individual and company performing the inspection; a description of the inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, or replacement; when and where the inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, or replacement took place; and the results of the inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, or replacement.
(ii) Web-based reporting requirement—The fire official shall utilize a web-based reporting program which connects and engages the key stakeholders involved in fire prevention and community risk reduction, including: the governmental authorities having jurisdiction within the city, testing and inspection service providers, and property owners. Records, including reports of testing and inspections, referenced in paragraph (i) preceding above must be uploaded to the web-based reporting system designated by the city’s fire official. The web-based inspection reporting provider shall transmit said inspection reports to the city’s fire official, and to any other governmental authorities to whom such reports are required to be given.
(iii) Every individual and company performing testing, inspection, repair or maintenance of any fire protection or life safety systems within the city shall be qualified (certified) and licensed, registered or otherwise authorized to perform such work or services within the Commonwealth of Virginia, and in accordance with applicable SFPC standards. The city’s fire official may reject any records or reports if the person or company providing the reports does not also provide the city with documentation of their current certification(s) and qualification(s) to perform such work or services.