Fire Marshal and Inspections

With over 20 years of experience in the fire service, Assistant Chief Privette has dedicated his career to protecting and serving. Starting as a volunteer, he has worked his way up and now oversees the Knightdale Fire Department- Fire Marshal's Office.

Assistant Chief Privette holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Wake Technical Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration from Fayetteville State University. He is credentialed as a Fire Marshal through the Center for Public Safety Excellence and holds several advanced certifications, including NC Fire Inspector 3, Fire Officer 3, and NC Certified Fire Investigator, further showcasing his expertise and commitment to the field.

The Fire Department inspects all occupancies with the exception of one and two family dwellings for compliance with the North Carolina State Building Code: Fire Prevention Code within the town limits and ETJ (Extraterritorial jurisdiction). The fire code establishes regulations affecting or relating to structures, processes, premises, and safeguards regarding:

The hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use of structures, materials or devices.
Conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises.
Fire hazards in the structure or on the premises from occupancy or operations.
Matters related to the construction, extension, repair, alteration or removal of fire suppression or alarm systems.

Inspections are performed at a minimum by the schedule established within the code:

Once every year: Hazardous, Institutional, Residential, Assembly Occupancies
Once every 2 years: Industrial and Educational Occupancies
Once every 3 years: Business, Storage, Mercantile Occupancies, and Churches

The fire inspectors also inspect new construction projects prior to a certificate of occupancy being issued. The fire department issues permits regarding the Fire Prevention Code. In addition, fire inspectors will respond to any complaint regarding fire or life safety. State mandated inspections for foster homes and group homes are also performed. To request a foster home inspection online, click here to email the on-duty Fire Marshal to schedule an appointment.

Fire inspection fees can be paid in person at Knightdale Town Hall or mailed to the address listed below. If mailing a check, please be sure to include a copy of the invoice with your payment. Payments can also be made by credit card over the phone by calling 919-217-2212, or online by clicking here. Please note that Fire Marshals are not authorized to accept payments in the field.

Town of Knightdale
950 Steeple Square Court
Knightdale, NC 27545

Fire Inspection Payment

Knightdale Fire Department issues permits where required by the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code Section 105. Permit fees shall be paid prior to the issuance of the permit. Issued permits shall be kept on the premises designated therein at all times and shall readily be available for inspection by the fire official.

There are two types of permits operational and construction. An operational permit allows the applicant to conduct an operation or a business for which the permit is required by the code. A construction permit allows the applicant to install or modify systems and equipment for which a permit is required by the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code Section 105.

For a comprehensive list of permits and fees please refer to the Knightdale Fee Schedule.

All fire permits are submitted using the GeoCivix (IDT) Online Review Portal. You can fill out applications, upload plan sets and other documents, and pay fees entirely online. After clicking the "Submit for Review" button, use the "Help Me Choose" button to read descriptions for all application types.

Fire Permit Portal

Registration

Navigate to the Electronic Plan Review Portal and click on "Register" in the upper right hand corner to fill out the online registration form. After you submit the form you will receive an activation link in your email. Click this link to activate your registration. You will then receive a second email confirming your acceptance. After this is completed, you will be able to login and access the electronic plan review website.

Fees

Fees are to be paid online within the plan review portal. Most applications require fee payment at submittal. The following payment options are available within the review portal:

Credit Card - MasterCard, Discover, American Express or Visa are accepted. A per transaction service fee of 2.65% or $3.00 minimum will be charged by the payment processing company for this service.

Electronic Check - You will need your 9-digit routing number and account number. A per transaction service fee of $1.50 will be charged by the payment processing company for this service.

Technical Support

Please see the Portal's Support Page for user guides and technical support. GeoCivix provides an entire library of training videos to help navigate and utilize the GeoCivix portal effectively.

Permit List

Above/Underground Storage Tanks

Blasting

Fire Alarm & Detection System

Fire Pump

Hood or Spray Booth

Open Burning

Private Fire Hydrant

Sprinkler System

Standpipe System

Temporary Tent, Air-Inflated Membrane, Storage Canopy

The Knightdale Fire Department spends a considerable amount of time and resources each year responding to false alarms. This in turn detracts from our ability to respond to bona fide emergencies. In order to allow the department to effectively respond to emergencies and to encourage business owners and property owners who use alarm systems to better construct and maintain their alarm systems, this ordinance was developed. This ordinance does not and is not intended to recover the cost associated with responding to false alarms but is intended to encourage responsible use of alarms in order to reduce the number of false activations.

You may contact a Fire Marshal by dialing (919) 217-2292 or by E-Mail, On-Duty Fire Marshal.