The Fire Marshal performs construction related fire inspections on new buildings and existing building up fits. These inspections are directly part of the certificate of occupancy inspection process. Construction inspections include but are not limited to:

• Underground Fire Line Inspection & Flush
• Rough-In Fire Sprinkler Piping Inspection
• Final Fire Sprinkler Acceptance testing
• Final Fire Alarm Acceptance testing
• Rough-In Standpipe Piping Inspection
• Final Standpipe Piping Inspection and flow test
• Fire Extinguishing System acceptance testing (hood suppression and paint booth suppression systems)
• Final Fire Building & Site Inspection
• Lock Keys in Knox Box
• Tank Installation and all components

In addition to fire protection systems acceptance testing, a fire inspection must be performed before the certificate of occupancy is issued. The fire inspection will include but will not be limited to the following items:

1. Address characters shall be visible from street
2. Verify proper location of Knox Box if required and correct keys on site to be locked in the box
3. Verify the correct size, type and placement of fire extinguishers
4. Provide signage as required.
5. Provide the letters “FACP” on all unobvious doors that give access to the fire alarm control panel. This can be accomplished with self-adhesive letters, stencil, or a sign with minimum three-inch high letters in contrast to the door colors.
6. Provide the letters “RISER ROOM” on all doors that give access to the riser. This can be accomplished with self-adhesive letters, stencil, or a sign with minimum three-inch high letters in contrast to the door colors.
7. Provide on the suite front doors the “SUITE NUMBER OR LETTER”. This can be accomplished with self-adhesive characters, stencil, or a sign with minimum 6-inch high characters in contrast to the door colors.
8. Provide on the suite rear or side doors the “SUITE NUMBER OR LETTER” and “BUILDING ADDRESS NUMBERS”. This can be accomplished with self-adhesive characters, stencil, or a sign with minimum 6-inch high characters in contrast to the door colors.
9. Verify fire lanes are appropriately marked.
10. Where designated, fire lanes shall not be less than 20 feet wide at any point, and curves and corners shall be wide enough to permit the passage or operation of all fire equipment. The surface of the fire lanes shall be an all-weather surface and shall be of sufficient strength to support all firefighting apparatus used by the fire department 75,000 pounds.
11. All fire lanes and access roads must be maintained by the property owner, which includes painting pavement and placing permanent “NO PARKING FIRE LANE” signs.
12. Outlining or painting the fire lane on the roadway surfaces shall be done in red with white letters that read "NO PARKING FIRE LANE" at 50-foot intervals or as otherwise directed.
13. Fire lanes shall be marked with permanent "NO PARKING FIRE LANE" signs.
14. Signs shall be placed along the fire lane at intervals not to exceed 200 feet.
15. Signs shall measure 12 by 18 inches; have red letters on a white reflective background.
16. Signs must be metal construction only; plastic or wooden signs are not acceptable.
17. The bottom of the sign should be 7 feet from grade.
18. The post should be at least 18” from the curb but not more than 24” from the curb.
19. Any "NO PARKING FIRE LANE" sign posted without proper approval must be removed.
20. If the building stores hazardous materials of any kind, a hazardous materials inventory statement must be submitted to the Fire Marshal’s Office.
21. Any operational fire permits required by the North Carolina Fire Code shall be issued before certificate of occupancy is issued.

When building passes final fire inspection, the Town of Waxhaw Building Inspections will be notified by the Fire Marshal that a Certificate of Occupancy can be issued. The Town of Waxhaw does not issue any type of temporary certificate of occupancy.

The Fire Marshal’s Office is responsible for reviewing plans and construction documents associated with new construction projects, developments, renovations, and other applicable improvements.

These reviews are conducted to verify compliance the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code to ensure that required fire protection systems, emergency access, water supply, and other life safety features are properly incorporated into the project design.

By participating in the development and construction review process, the Fire Marshal’s Office helps identify potential fire and life safety concerns before construction begins and supports the development of safe, code-compliant buildings and communities. 

Commercial Building Permit Submittal Requirements (PDF)

Shop Drawing Submittal Process

Fire protection shop drawings for systems such as fire sprinklers, fire alarms, standpipes, and other related life safety systems must be submitted to the Fire Marshal’s Office for review and approval prior to installation.

Shop drawings should be submitted through the Waxhaw Permit Portal. Please include a completed applicable Fire Permit Application with the submittal.

Timeline

• Shop drawings shall be submitted after the building permit issuance. Installation shall not take place until plans are reviewed and approved.
• Plans will be reviewed within 5 business days from the date the Fire Code Official receives them. The Fire Code Official will notify the submitter when the review has been completed.

If upgrading fire alarm using "like for like" shop drawings, submittal will not be required. Testing of system will still be required.

Official fire hydrant testing for new construction or hydraulic calculations are conducted by Union County Water. Contact Union County Water customer service at 704-296-4210. Please include the test results in the submittal packet for review.