§ 12-7. Fire inspector.

(a)

Generally. The fire inspector, or person designated by the town manager or fire chief shall have authority to enter any and all premises at reasonable times for the purpose of making inspections.

(b)

Routine inspections. The fire inspector, or person designated by the town manager or fire chief shall make inspections of structures in town as required by state statutes and/or in as outlined in a fire inspection schedule adopted by the board of commissioners.

(c)

Inspections upon complaint. The fire inspector, or person designated by the town manager or fire chief shall, upon receipt of a complaint, forthwith investigate.

(d)

Investigations. The town manager or fire chief shall conduct or have conducted by appropriately trained persons all investigations to determine the point of origin and probable cause of fires and shall keep records of findings as to origin, location, owner, extent of damage, injury and the amount of insurance carried in connection with all fires. These findings shall be reported to the state insurance commissioner/fire marshal's office at regular intervals.

(e)

Abatement of hazards. The fire inspector shall cause the removal of fire hazards by serving proper order to the owner or agent of the premises in question, such order to state a reasonable time limit. Failure to comply with such order is a violation and shall constitute a misdemeanor under section 1-6(g) and as provided by G.S. 14-4(a) and punishable as set forth in table 2 in section 1-8.

(Code 1990, § 6-7; Ord. No. 94-005, § 1, 12-14-1994; Ord. No. 00-009, § 2, 12-13-2000; Ord. No. 2012-001, § 1(14), 3-14-2012)