Fire Marshal

Click here for ONLINE INSPECTION REQUEST

Click here for PERMITS and FORMS

Burning Ban:

• Cobb County Burning Ban Information as of 10-1-2008
  
• Outdoor Burning Ban Regulations as of 5-1-2008

For any questions you may first call 770-528-8000, 8310 or 8312.
For Bonfire Permits call 770-528-8310 or 8312
For Commercial Burn Permits call 528-8315.

Fire Marshal's Office Jurisdiction

The Cobb County Fire Marshal's Office is charged with enforcing "Rules and Regulations for the State Minimum Fire Safety Standards" as adopted by the State Fire Commissioner. The Fire Marshal's Office is the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) in these matters for all of unincorporated Cobb County and the cities of Acworth, Powder Springs and Kennesaw. The Fire Marshal's Office has three major responsibilities:

• Conduct fire & life safety inspections of existing buildings and structures.
• Review plans and specifications for proposed buildings and structures, issue joint building permits with the Cobb County Building Department when plans are approved, and conduct fire & life safety inspections of such buildings and structures.
• Issue joint, permanent and temporary certificates of occupancy with the Cobb County Building Department

These responsibilities are established in Title 25 Chapter 2 of the Official Code of Georgia. The Fire Marshal's Office issues certificates of occupancy jointly with the Cobb County Building Department.



Inspection Process

The inspection process for new buildings begins with plan review. Plans are initially brought to the Fire Marshal's Office after a plan review appointment is scheduled. After necessary corrections are made and plans approved by CCFMO, developers then take plans to the Cobb County Building Department for final approval. Contractors are then required to keep a set of approved plans on the building site during construction. Contractors are responsible to set up a "Pre-Construction Meeting" prior to construction. Inspection request then can be made during any phase of construction. Depending on the structure, separate inspections may be requested for the fire alarm system, duct detectors, kitchen hood systems, paint booths, emergency lights and sprinklers. After violations are corrected, then a "Fire Safety Codes Release" is issued by the Fire Marshal's Office. The Cobb County Building Department then issues a joint Certificate of Occupancy once all requirements are met.

Please complete the Permit Application Form and bring it with you to your Appointment.

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Fire Marshal's Office Organizational Chart

Fire Marshal - Tom Simler
Deputy Fire Marshal -Jay Westbrook
Admin Specialist II - Britney Ingram
Admin Specialist II - Lee Ann Jean
Admin Tech - Madeline Cook

Click HERE for contact information

New Building Inspections

• Fire Inspector I - Joe Davidson
• Fire Inspector II - Stephen Mize
• Fire Inspector II - Mark Mitchell
• Fire Inspector I - George Mosley

Plan Review

• Fire Inspector II - Marty Gable
• Fire Protection Analyst - Nick Dawe
• Fire Protection Analyst - Rock Toler

Sprinkler Division

• Fire Inspector II - Monty Leachman
• Fire Inspector II - Billy Stephens

Existing Building Inspections

• Hi-Rise & Hotel Occupancies
  Fire Inspector I - Russell Clay
• Mercantile & Industrial Occupancies
  Fire Inspector Tech. - Randy Bennett
• Assembly Occupancies
  Fire Inspector I - Jeff Hamby
• Education & Daycare Occupancies
  Fire Inspector Tech - Chad Collins
• Apartments
  Fire Inspector Tech - Jeff Byrd
• Churches, Personal Care, Storage & Board and Care Occupancies
  Fire Inspector II - Terry Duncan

Fire Codes in Georgia and Cobb County

Title 25 Chapter 2 O.C.G.A. (Official Code of Georgia Annotated), known as “Regulation of Fire and Other Hazards to Persons and Property Generally”, allows the Safety Fire Commissioner to adopt rules and regulations to promote fire safety. These rules and regulations are adopted under Chapter 120-3-3 “Rules and Regulations of the Safety Fire Commissioner” and known as “Rules and Regulations for the State Minimum Fire Safety Standards.” Certain NFPA standards and the International Fire Code are adopted under 120-3-3. For enforcement purposes, Cobb County adopts these state minimum standards by reference in the Cobb County Code. The Cobb County Fire Marshal’s Office enforces the state minimum standards



Common Code Violations

1. Violation: ADDRESS OR SUITE NUMBER NOT POSTED
   Applicable Code: Section 505.1, 2003 International Fire Code New and existing buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification place in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall be Arabic numeral or alphabet letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of 4 inches high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch.



2. Violation: EXPOSED WIRING
   Applicable Code: Section 605.6, 2003 International Fire Code Open junction boxes and open-wiring splices shall be prohibited. Approved covers shall be provided for all switch and electrical outlet boxes.



3. Violation: HYDRANT OBSTRUCTED
   Applicable Code: Section 508.5.5, 2003 International Fire Code A 3-foot clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants except as otherwise required or approved.



4. Violation: FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTION NOT VISIBLE TO APPARATUS OR OBSTRUCTED
   Applicable Code: Section 912.2.2, 2003 International Fire Code On existing buildings, wherever the fire department connection is not visible to approaching fire apparatus, the fire department connection shall be indicated by an approved sign mounted on the street front or on the side of the building. Such sign shall have the letters “FDC” at least 6 inches high and words in letters at least 2 inches high or an arrow to indicate the location. All such signs shall be subject to the approval of the fire code official. 912.3 Immediate access to fire department connections shall be maintained at all times and without obstruction by fences, bushes, trees, walls or any other object for a minimum of 3 feet.



5. Violation: COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDER NOT SECURED
   Applicable Code: Section 3003.3.3, 2003 International Fire Code Compressed gas containers, cylinders and tanks shall be secured to prevent falling caused by contact, vibration or seismic activity.



6. Violation: STORAGE WITHIN 30 INCHES OF ELECTRICAL PANELS
   Applicable Code: Section 605.3, 2003 International Fire Code A working space of not less than 30 inches in width, 36 inches in depth and 78 inches in height shall be provided in front of electrical service equipment. Where the electrical service equipment is wider than 30 inches, the working space shall not be less than the width of the equipment. No storage of any materials shall be located within the designated working space.



7. Violation: EXTENSION CORDS USED AS PERMANENT WIRING
   Applicable Code: Section 605.5, 203 International Fire Code Extension cords and flexible cords shall not be a substitute for permanent wiring. Extension cords and flexible cords shall not be affixed to structures, extended through walls, ceilings or floors, or under doors or floor coverings, nor shall such cords be subject to environmental damage or physical impact. Extension cords shall be used only with portable appliances.



8. Violation: KNOX BOX or KNOX SWITCH NEEDED
   Applicable Code: Section 506.1, 2003 International Fire Code Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or fire-fighting purposes, the fire code official is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an approved location. The key box shall be of an approved type and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official. 506.1.1 An approved lock shall be on gates or similar barriers when required by the fire code official.



9. Violation: NO SUPPLY OF SPARE SPRINKLER HEADS
   Applicable Code: Section 5.4.1.4, NFPA 25, 2002 ed. A supply of spare sprinklers (never fewer than six) shall be maintained on the premises so that any sprinklers that have operated or been damaged in any way can be promptly replaced. Section 5.4.1.4.1 The sprinklers shall correspond to the types and temperature ratings of the sprinklers in the property. A minimum of two sprinklers of each type and temperature rating installed shall be provided. Section 5.4.1.4.2 The sprinklers shall be kept in a cabinet located where the temperature in which they are subjected will at no time exceed 100 F.



10. Violation: NO SPECIAL WRENCH AVAILABLE
    Applicable Code: Section 5.4.1.6, NFPA 25, 2002 ed. A special sprinkler wrench shall be provided and kept in the cabinet to be used in the removal and installation of sprinklers. One sprinkler wrench shall be provided for each type of sprinkler installed.



11. Violation: SPRINKLERS BLOCKED BY STORAGE
    Applicable Code: Section 5.2.1.2, NFPA 25, 2002 edition Unacceptable obstructions to spray patterns shall be corrected. Section A-5.2.1.2 Obstructions to spray patterns include continuous or non continuous obstructions less than or equal to 18 in. below the sprinkler deflector that prevent the pattern from fully developing.



12. Violation: EXTINGUISHERS OUT OF DATE
    Applicable Code: Section 6.1.2, NFPA 10, 2002 ed. The procedure for inspection and maintenance of fire extinguishers varies considerably. Minimal knowledge is necessary to perform a monthly "quick check" or inspection in order to follow the inspection procedure as outlined in Section 6.2. A trained person who has undergone the instructions necessary to reliably perform maintenance and has the manufacturer's service manual shall service the fire extinguishers not more than 1 year apart, as outlined in Section 6.3.



13. Violation: EXIT BLOCKED
    Applicable Code: Section 7.1.10.1, 2000 Life Safety Code Means of egress shall be continuously maintained free of all obstructions or impediments to full instant use in the case of fire or other emergency.



14. Violation: MULTIPLE LOCKS ON EXIT DOORS
    Applicable Code: Section 7.2.1.5.4, 2000 Life Safety Code A latch or other fastening device on a door shall be provided with a releasing device having an obvious method of operation under all lighting conditions. The releasing mechanism for any latch shall be located not less than 34 in. (86 cm) and not more than 48 in. (122 cm) above the finished floor. Doors shall be open able with not more than one releasing operation.



15. Violation: FIRE ALARM SYSTEM SHUTDOWN
    Section 9.6.1.8, 2000 Life Safety Code Where a required fire alarm system is out of service for more than 4 hours in a 24-hr period, the authority having jurisdiction shall be notified, and the building shall be evacuated or an approved fire watch shall be provided for all parties left unprotected by the shutdown until the fire alarm system has been returned to service.



16. Violation: SPRINKLER SYSTEM SHUTDOWN
    Section 9.7.6, 2000 Life Safety Code Where a required automatic sprinkler system is out of service for more than 4 hours in a 24-hr period, the authority having jurisdiction shall be notified, and the building shall be evacuated or an approved fire watch shall be provided for all parties left unprotected by the shutdown until the sprinkler system has been returned to service. Sprinkler impairment procedure shall comply with NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Base Fire Protection Systems.

Conversion Table for NFPA 220 Construction Types

NFPA 220	Type I 443	Type I 332	Type II 222	Type II 111	Type II 000	Type III 211	Type III 200	Type IV 2HH	Type V 111	Type V 000
IBC		IA	IB	IIA	IIB	IIIA	IIIB	IV	VA	VB

Life Safety Code Occupancy Classifications

• Assembly — buildings used for gathering together of 50 or more persons
• Educational — buildings used for educational purposes through the 12th grade by 6 or more persons for 4 or more hours per day or more than 12 hours per week.
• Health Care
  • Hospitals
  • Limited care facilities
  • Nursing homes
  • Ambulatory health care centers
• Detention and Correctional
• Residential
  • Hotels, motels, dormitories
  • Apartment buildings
  • Lodging or rooming houses
  • Board and Care facilities
• Mercantile — includes stores, markets, and other for the display and sale of merchandise.
• Business
• Industrial
• Storage
• Day-Care
• Mixed Occupancy

NFPA 241, 2000ed.—Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations

Section 7.5.5.1 Every building shall be accessible by fire department apparatus by means of roadways having an all-weather driving surface of not less than 20 ft. of unobstructed width, having the ability to withstand the live loads of fire apparatus, and having a minimum of 13 ft 6 in. of vertical clearance.

Section 7.5.5.2 Dead-end fire department access roads in excess of 150 ft (46 m) in length shall be provided with approved provisions for turning around fire department apparatus.
Exception: The requirements of 7.5.5 shall be permitted to be modified where, in the opinion of the fire department, fire-fighting or rescue operations would not be impaired by such modification.

Section 7.5.5.8 Access for use of heavy fire-fighting equipment shall be provided to the immediate job site at the start of the project and maintained until completion.

Section 7.5.6.1 In all buildings over one story in height, at least on stairway shall be provided that is in usable condition at all times and that meets the requirements of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code.

Section 7.5.6.2 This stairway shall be extended upward as each floor is installed in new construction and maintained for each floor still remaining during demolition. The stairway shall be lighted.

Section 7.6 In all new buildings in which standpipes are required or where standpipes exist in buildings being altered or demolished, such standpipes shall be maintained in conformity with the progress of building construction in such a manner that they are always ready for use.

Section 8.7.2.1 A water supply for fire protection, either temporary or permanent, shall be made available as soon as combustible material accumulates.

Section 8.7.4.2.1 The standpipes shall be provided with conspicuously marked and readily accessible fire department connections on the outside of the building at the street level and shall have at least one standard hose outlet at each floor.

Section 8.7.4.2.7 The standpipes shall be extended up with each floor and shall be securely capped at the top.

Section 8.7.4.2.8 Top hose outlets shall be not more than one floor below the highest forms, staging, and similar combustibles at all times.



Smoke Alarms Save Lives

If you have a working smoke alarm in your home, your chances of dying in a fire are cut nearly in half. Testing your smoke alarm regularly each week will help ensure that it will operate properly when it is needed. We encourage residents to change the batteries in their smoke alarms at each time change, once in the spring and once in the fall. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also recommends replacing your smoke alarm if it is more than 10 years old. According to the NFPA the alarms have a 30 percent chance of failure after being installed for 10 years. NFPA also recommends that a dwelling have a smoke alarm installed on each level of the dwelling and outside each sleeping area.



Tenant Space Certificate of Occupancy Procedures

1. Call 770-528-8310/8312 for a plan review appointment. Bring four (4) sets of plans to the Fire Marshal’s Office for review. Small tenant space plans may be done on 8 ½” X 11” paper provided the following items are shown:
   • Dimensions for the overall space and dimensions for each room
   • All doors and windows
   • Emergency lighting and exit sign locations
   • Fire extinguishers
   • Fire alarm devices
   • On separate sheet show overall building foot print or floor plan, showing tenant separation walls. Indicate what type of occupancy (or what business) is on either side of your space.
   • Tenant space in a mall, must show the pedestrian walk way in front of the tenant space. A minimum of 10’ clear width is required in front of each tenant, this includes any temporary construction walls. The mall space shall provide a minimum of 20’ clear width.
   • Fire rated walls
   • Fire alarm and/or sprinkler system work will require separate plans to be submitted by subcontractor.
   • Plans not done on 8 ½” X 11”, requires a copy of the plans reduced down to an 8 ½” X 11” paper and submitted with your plans.
   • Plans must be readable



2. If your plans are for a Day Care (with an occupant load of 12 and under), Personal Care Home (Board and Care), or Lodging, plans must be dropped off at our office (plans will be reviewed between 10 – 14 working days). You will be called when they are ready for pickup.



3. Once the Fire Marshal’s Office approves your plans, take the approved plans to the Cobb County Building Department Plan Review Office (770-528-2078), or if you are in the Cities of Acworth (770-974-2032), Kennesaw (770-429-4554), or Powder Springs (770-943-1666), you will need to take the approved plans to their Building Department. You will then purchase a “Permit” at this time.



4. Call for field inspections from the appropriate Building Department, Cobb County (770-528-2073), Acworth (770-974-2032), Kennesaw (770-429-4554), Powder Springs (770-943-1666), and the Fire Marshal’s Office at (770-528-8310/8312).



5. Once all inspections have passed, for the Cobb County Building Department, you may call 770-528-2077, after 8:00 a.m. two days after all of your inspections have been made to check on the status of your Certificate of Occupancy. Any inspections within the Cities listed above, you can contact them directly the morning after your fire inspection.

Additional Questions:

If you have any additional questions or comments, please feel free to contact the Cobb County Fire Marshal's Office at (770) 528-8310, 8312 or e-mail Fire Marshall Tom Simler

You may also contact the State Fire Marshal's Office