Fire Inspection and Code Enforcement - Chapter 15: Plans Review and Field Verifications

Vocabulary terms and definitions based on Chapter 15: Plans Review and Field Verifications from Fire Inspection and Code Enforcement, 8th Edition.

Plans Review and Permitting Process

A process established by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to verify that structures that are new, remodeled, or undergoing a change in occupancy classification comply with locally adopted building and fire codes.

Inspector

The individual responsible for verifying that construction activities conform to the plans approved by the plans examiner and issued as part of the permit documents; this person may also be responsible for field verification.

Team Approach

The best operational method for preventing an owner or occupant from attempting to omit a building or fire code requirement.

Field Changes

Modifications made during construction where the authority to accept or approve revisions may rest solely with the fire marshal or building official.

Primary Purpose of Plans Review and Permits

Regard for community safety, serving as the main reason local governments mandate construction permits and plan reviews.

Building Permits

Formal authorizations that help prevent firefighters and emergency responders from dealing with unknown and potentially dangerous structural conditions during an incident.

Plans Review

An evaluation process that enables plans examiners to discover any errors or omissions in a building plan prior to construction.

Inspector Site Visits

On-site reviews that an inspector should conduct often during construction, optimized for efficiency and effectiveness by coordinating with completion dates.

Site Access

A critical condition that must be verified during construction to ensure fire and life safety requirements are maintained.

OSHA Regulations

Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules (or locally adopted requirements) governing personal protective clothing and equipment that inspectors must comply with on a construction site.

General Contractor

The person or entity an inspector must notify whenever violations are discovered during a construction site visit.

Accurate and Complete Record Keeping

Documentation created during plans review and field verification visits that establishes the basis for all future inspections and may be required in legal action if codes are violated.

Fire Watch

A dedicated surveillance measure that should be posted when occupants remain in a building during construction and a fire detection or alarm system is nonfunctional for any length of time.

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

The agency or official entity that usually establishes the exact manner in which plans must be submitted for review.

Construction Drawing Abbreviations and Symbols

Widely used graphic symbols and shorthand on architectural plans of which plans reviewers should be familiar with the more commonly used examples.