Division Chief Chris Weir
OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL
The Office of the Fire Marshal is operated and managed by Division Chief Christopher J. Weir EFO. The Office of the Fire Marshal is responsible for the application and enforcement of the 2004 Florida Fire Prevention Code, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards, State Fire Marshal Rules and Regulations 69A, The City of Port Orange Municipal Code of Ordinances, and State Requirement for Educational Facilities (SREF) for all public schools within the City of Port Orange.
The Office of the Fire Marshal is tasked with the following assignments:
*PLAN REVIEW: The fire marshal reviews building plans on all commercial and multi-family residential occupancies equal to 3 units and greater to assure that all applicable life safety codes are correctly applied. The best way to prevent a fire from ever occurring is on the drawing board.
In addition to the plan review, the fire marshal reviews all SDRC plat and plans to assure fire protection and water supply will meet the fire protection needs of a proposed community and/or commercial venue. Plat and plans are reviewed to determine the level of risk associated with a proposed community and the level of protection necessary to assure such community will meet the challenges from any potential threat from fire.
This office works in conjunction with the Building Official and Deputy Building Official from Community Development and maintains a positive relationship to assure the plans are in compliant with all applicable codes.
*PERMIT INSPECTIONS: The fire marshal will conduct certificate of occupancy inspections to assure that occupancy is constructed and protected as per the approved building plans. All fire protection appliances such as sprinklers, standpipes, fire pumps, and fire alarm systems are tested prior to the building being occupied.
In addition, the storage of hazardous material products are inspected to assure such material is stored properly and safely. Building owners and/or managers must maintain an inventory of products used within the confines of the business. This assures that incoming fire and medical personnel understand what and how much hazardous product is stored on the premises. The cost of a hazardous material use permit is $25 per year.
*OCCUPANCY USE INSPECTIONS: When a prospective business owner moves into a commercial space in the city, the space or building is inspected by the fire marshal to assure all fire/life safety codes and standards are met prior to the owner occupying the tenant or building.
*PYROTECHNICS/FIREWORKS: It is the duty of the fire marshal to assure all firework events comply to the law as mandated by Florida State Statute §791 which regulates:
-State Fire Marshal approved sales and safe discharge of sparklers
-Professional pyrotechnic displays that comply with NFPA 1123 and NFPA 1126.
-Please note that anyone desiring to discharge fireworks in the City of Port Orange shall procure a permit at least 15 days in advance of the proposed display. Such display must meet the minimum requirements as outlined in NFPA 1123 and/or NFPA 1126. A professionally licensed pyrotechnician approved and bonded by the State Fire Marshal shall operate such displays.
*FIRE INVESTIGATION-ORIGIN & CAUSE: The fire marshal responds when a fire and/or hazard is determined by the operations division incident commander to require a detailed and comprehensive examination for origin and cause. The entire fire scene is examined to provide clues as to how a fire or hazard developed. The fire marshal shall first make an attempt to identify the origin of the fire and/or hazard, and then attempt to determine the cause listed in 4 categories:
-Incendiary-Fires that are believed to be intentionally set.
-Undetermined-Fires that cannot provide one true ignition source to form a viable cause of the fire.
-Accidental- Fires caused by unintentional and non-malicious means
-Natural-Fires caused by lightening, spontaneous ignition via natural decomposition, and other natural means.
When a fire is deemed as intentionally set or undetermined with the possibility of intentional setting, the fire marshal shall request the services of a police detective and an investigator from the State Fire Marshal’s Office to assist with criminal investigation and evidence extraction. In this event, a team approach is developed to assure that a quality and timely fire and criminal investigation is completed and meets all legal benchmarks should criminal charges be filed against those who intentionally set fires.
About the Fire Marshal:
Christopher J. Weir is a 27 year veteran of the fire service serving for 25 years with the City of Fort Lauderdale Fire & Rescue Department retiring in 2005 as division chief of operations. Chris was hired as division chief with Port Orange Department of Fire & Rescue in June 2005 and assumed the duties of the fire marshal in October 2005. Chris earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from Barry University, an Associate in Science degree in Fire Science Technology from Broward Community College, and is a graduate from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. In addition Chris is working on his Master in Arts degree of Public Administration from UCF and a Master of Science degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership at Grand Canyon University. Chris is a state certified Firefighter II, EMT, Instructor I, Fire Inspector, and Fire and Explosion Investigator. Chris holds committee memberships with the Florida Fire Chiefs Association, Southeast Fire Chiefs Association, Society of Executive Fire Officers, National Fire Protection Association, International Code Conference on residential sprinklers, International Association of Arson Investigators and National Association of Fire Investigators.
The
Volusia/Flagler Juvenile Firesetters Network
