A. The assistant director of the office of the state fire marshal, a deputy fire marshal or an assistant fire inspector may investigate fire damage and shall carry out periodic inspection programs of buildings and premises to examine or inspect for fire hazards.

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B. In carrying out such inspections or investigations, the assistant director of the office of the state fire marshal, a deputy fire marshal or an assistant fire inspector shall identify himself to the owner or tenant of the building or premises and seek the consent of the owner or tenant to carry out such an inspection. If consent is refused, or if it is not possible to reasonably obtain consent, the assistant director of the office of the state fire marshal, deputy fire marshal or an assistant fire inspector shall obtain a search warrant for the building or property in compliance with Title 13, Chapter 38, Article 8.

C. If the assistant director of the office of the state fire marshal is assisting a local fire department in an investigation of fire damage, the authority of the local fire department to investigate the fire damage shall be deemed to include the assistant director of the office of the state fire marshal, deputy fire marshal or an assistant fire inspector.