Submittal requirements: All design drawings are required to be sealed by a NC Licensed Professional Engineer or a NC Licensed Fire Sprinkler Contractor as permitted by North Carolina General Statutes. All submittals require one set of shop drawings, life safety plans, an appendix B and all equipment cut sheets (if applicable).

All documents must be submitted as individual files.

Sprinkler Systems/Standpipe/Fire Pump: Hydraulic calculations; and a current (< 12 month) water flow test, as well as, an NFPA 13 owner’s certificate. Include fire pump test curve when applicable.

Fire Alarm Systems: Electrical Permit, Riser diagram, battery calculations, and voltage drop calculations. 

Alternative Automatic Extinguishing Systems: Provide required documentation as listed in the relevant NFPA standard for the system:

Wet-chemical systems: NFPA 17A
Dry-Chemical/CO2 systems: NFPA 12
Foam systems: NFPA 11 and NFPA 16
Clean Agent: NFPA 2001
Halon System: NFPA 12A
Automatic water mist systems: NFPA 750

Smoke Control/Smoke Exhaust Systems: Submittal package shall include design requirements in accordance with Section 909 of the 2018 North Carolina Fire Code.

Emergency Responder Radio Coverage: 
Please submit ERRC requests to the City-County Inspections site here.

Responsibility: The following are responsible for submitting plans that are in compliance with all applicable codes, standards and North Carolina General Statutes:

1. Applicant; 2. Architect; 3. Engineer; and 4. Owner

Approvals by Durham County Fire Marshal at the time of plan review; even if in error or omission of a specific requirement, do not relieve the aforementioned of responsibility to correct such an error or omission prior to the final inspection and/or acceptance by the Durham County Fire Marshal.

Fee Schedule: 
https://www.dconc.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/37184/637922705950930000

The Durham County Fire Marshal’s Office should be contacted at:
(919) 560-0660 (option #4) for questions regarding this process.

Blasting Permit Requirements Checklist

Complete and submit the attached permit application and supporting documentation in advance.  An initial blast inspection will be required at the time of permit issuance.

Request a blasting permit site inspection by calling (919) 560-0660 or DCoFireMarshals@dconc.gov

APPLICATION CANNOT BE PROCESSED, PERMIT ISSUED, OR INSPECTION CONDUCTED UNTIL AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED.  To pay permit fees follow the link on your invoice.

For questions or submit application
Durham County Office of Emergency Services                                             
Fire Marshal
120 E. Parrish Street Suite 100                                                                
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 919-560-0660    DCoFireMarshals@dconc.gov

                          
A 750 foot blasting perimeter will be required under any of the following conditions. 

1.       Blasting that occurs in multiple jurisdictions.
2.       Multiple blasting companies on a site and/or subdivision.
3.       Right-of-way, roadway infrastructure improvements.

Blasting company representative shall provide GPS coordinates for each proposed blast site.  A site blasting map will be issued with the permit indicating the 750 foot blasting perimeter. (Blasting operations outside this permitted perimeter will result in a stop work order and revocation of permit(s))

Current certificate of liability insurance on file.  (Additional insured names County of Durham)

Provide a copy of blasting certifications, ATF licenses, and blaster resumes with a photograph ID.  

Each permit and site plan on site at all times during blasting operations.

The applicant shall provide a list of all properties located within 750 feet of the proposed blasting site.

Provide a copy of any pre-blast surveys in accordance with permit condition (i)

All blasting requires witness by Fire Marshal for initial site blast.

Blasting mats provided and in use if within 750 feet of structures and roadways.  Beyond 750 feet, a fire official may approve adequate cover in lieu of blasting mats.

A safety plan to include traffic control, barricading, signage plan, and adverse weather operation plan must be on file with the fire marshal’s office.

Proper notification made to utility companies.

Proper notification made to Durham Emergency Communications Center. (919) 560-4600

The Fire Inspector will deliver the permit to the site and give it to the contractor once final approval is given to conduct blasting operations.

Are explosive materials stored on site?  (Additional permit and requirements from fire official)

Proper notification made to homeowners in regards to permit condition (g)

 

 

Permit Conditions

a.             Any blasting permit may be revoked for (1) failure to comply with the provisions of the State and local codes; (2) failure to comply with any of the provisions of this permit; or (3) for any other cause if the Fire Marshal determines that the continuance of the permit is not consistent with the provisions of the Code.  A stop order may be issued for seismic readings above the limits of NFPA 495, and for failure to comply with conditions of the permit.  Such stop work order will be issued to the blasting permit representative and shall state conditions before blasting resumes.

b.             This permit shall not be transferable whether by operation of law or otherwise, either from one location to another or from one person to another.

c.             All blasting operations shall be covered in such manner as to prevent fragments of rock, gravel, earth, trees, or other substances or materials from being thrown against or upon lots, buildings, utility lines, or any street or highway.

d.             Whenever blasting is being conducted in the vicinity of gas, electric, water, fire alarm, telephone, telegraph, or steam utilities, the blaster shall notify the appropriate representative of such utilities at least 24 hours in advance of blasting specifying the location and intended time of such blasting.

e.             Hours of detonation shall be limited to daylight hours, no earlier than 8:00 a.m. or later than 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except by special exception specifically authorized by the Fire Marshal.  Blasting shall also be prohibited on all Durham County, State and Federal holidays.

f.              Water is a precious resource and measures shall be taken to protect ground water quality as found in the nearest well within 750 feet of the blasting location.  Post blast testing shall be done no sooner than 24 hours or no later than 48 hours following a blast.  Turbidity in wells tested shall be no greater than that which existed prior to the blasting as established in the pre-blast assessment. 

g.             Any person detonating explosives shall first notify the Durham County Emergency Communications Center 919-560-4600 that a blast is planned.  Such notification shall be received at least twenty-four (24) hours prior and within one hour to the planned detonation and shall give the time (within 30 minutes) of the planned detonation and the location where the blasting is to be done.  The person detonating the explosives shall give an equivalent notice to each property owner that is located within 750 feet of the proposed blasting location.

h.             Persons responsible for blasting operations shall maintain a record of each blast: to include all pre blast surveys, seismographs, and well testing. All original blasting records shall be retained by the persons responsible for the blasting operations for at least five years following the cessation of the blasting operations and shall be available for inspection by the Fire Marshal upon request.

i.              A pre-blast inspection shall be offered to all residents/properties within 750’ of the blasting site at the permit holder's expense. The permit holder shall send a certified letter to the resident/property owner at their address advising them of the right to a pre-blast inspection. If the survey is requested, the permit holder shall send a copy of the pre-blast survey inspection report and any photographs taken to the resident/property owner within (10) business days of the inspection.

All Blasting permit applications require sumittal of supporting documentation regardless of whether or not prior submissions were made.

Any other studies or information deemed necessary by the Fire Marshal, which may include, but is not limited to:
1. A pre-blast assessment, prepared by a geotechnical engineer or other blasting professional, which would assess the potential for damage to adjacent structures and facilities.
2. A pre-blast inspection of all structures and facilities located within 750 feet of the proposed blast location. As part of the inspection, the structures and facilities would be videotaped and/or digitally photographed to document any pre-existing damage so that any claims for post-blast damages could be compared to the pre-blast inspection report. A complete pre-blast report shall be submitted with this documentation for a permit.
3. Hydrological study, Geological Study, Test Wells

Liability Insurance Required
Before a permit is issued, the Applicant must file with the jurisdiction a corporate surety bond in the principal sum of $1,000,000 or a public liability insurance policy for the same amount, and an additional $1,000,000 for the purpose of the payment of all damages to persons or property which arise from, or are caused by, the conduct of any act authorized by the permit upon which any judicial judgment results. The fire code official is authorized to specify a greater or lesser amount when, in his or her opinion, conditions at the location of use indicate a greater or lesser amount is required. Government entities shall be exempt from this bond requirement. The insurance policy shall state, “For blasting operations. The policy shall name the County of Durham and any Sub-Contractors as an additional insured.

Record Keeping
Persons responsible for blasting operations shall maintain a record of each blast. A copy of that record shall be filed with the Fire Marshal within twenty-four hours of each blast. All original blasting records shall be retained by the persons responsible for the blasting operations for at least three years following the cessation of the blasting operations and shall be available for inspection by the Fire Marshal. The blasting records shall contain the following minimum

1. Name of the person responsible for the blasting operation
2. Location, date, and time of blast
3. Name of the blaster in charge
4. Type of material blasted
5. Number of holes, burden, and spacing
6. Diameter and depth of holes
7. Types of explosives used
8. Amount of explosives used
9. Maximum amount of explosives per delay period of eight milliseconds or greater
10. Maximum number of holes per delay period of eight milliseconds or greater
11. Method of firing and type of circuit
12. Weather conditions (including factors such as wind direction, cloud cover, etc.)
13. Height or length of stemming
14. Were mats or other types of protection used
15. Type of detonators used and delay periods used
16. Seismograph and air blast readings when measured, and from where measured