This UPDATED manual is for fire department staff and others who review plans for compliance with fire and building codes to ensure public safety in the built environment. Content in this book is appropriate for any plan examiners in fire prevention divisions, fire marshal bureaus, building departments and community risk reduction organizations. The 15 chapters in this book present material that meets the job performance requirements (JPRs) of Plan Examiner I and II according to the NFPA 1031: Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner (2014). Plan Examiner II requires an in-depth review of sprinkler and fire alarm shop drawings and these are not included in this book.

Four hundred and twenty key terms and definitions are highlighted throughout the book and are included in the glossary. The book features updated photos and illustrations. A sample set of blueprints are referenced in the book and are available to purchase in a package with the text.

This text book is used frequently in higher education classes as well as courses to meet the requirements for fire service professional qualifications certification.

The author is Ed Prendergast a well-respected Fire Protection Engineer. He retired from the Chicago Fire Department as the Chief Engineer of the Bureau of Fire Prevention after 30 years of service. He is a graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology with degrees in Industrial and Mechanical Engineering. As a professional engineer, Mr. Prendergast serves as a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers. He is a principal member of the National Fire Protection Association technical committee on standpipes. Mr. Prendergast is an instructor in Fire Science with the City Colleges of Chicago. He is also forensic engineer with Wolf Technical Services of Indianapolis.