Prevention/Investigation Division
707 North Main Street
Columbia, TN 38401
(931) 380-2730

The Fire Marshal's Office currently enforces the 2003 edition of the NFPA Fire Codes including the 2003 edition of the Life Safety Code. We try to enforce the codes as a minimum while offering suggestions of ways to better ensure the safety of the public. However, the public's lives, safety, health, and welfare remain our top priority. If you have any questions regarding fire code compliance, contact either the Fire Marshal or the Fire Inspector.

Other responsibilities of the Fire Marshal include tracking all fire investigations, Housing Board inspections for fire code, inspections for businesses holding beer permits, and inspections for all new construction.

The Fire Inspector conducts inspections of approximately 2000 existing businesses inside the city.

Plan Reviews. During our plan reaviews for site plans we enforce NFPA 1141 to include Fire Hydrant requirements and road access before construction begins.

System Testing. During our plan reviews for construction plans we work closely with the Building Inspections Department but require ALL systems to be tested while we are on hand to witness testing procedures. The system testing includes:

Sprinkler testing to include hydrostatic testing, flows and tamper switches
Fire Alarm testing to include testing all components
Fire/Smoke damper and detector testing
Emergency/Exit light testing to include a power shutdown and walk-thru
Kitchen suppression system testing to include "puff" testing of the system
Fire extinguisher inspections

And all other safety system testing.

We hold a state exemption from the State Fire Marshal's Office so we do not submit plans to the State with the exception of the following:

Educational (k-12, public and private)
All state owned and leased facilities
All daycare centers, including adult
All facilities requiring a state fire marshal inspection for initial licensure by another state department

All other plans are submitted to the City of Columbia.

One set of all plans (construction, sprinkler, alarm, etc.) are submitted to Fire Marshal's Office, Suite 202, City Hall, 707 North Main Street, Columbia, TN 38401 (931) 380-2730, and two sets of all plans are submitted to Building Inspections Department, same address except it is Suite 213.

No non-permitted burning is allowed on construction sites.

Blasting Issues. No blasting is allowed without first obtaining a permit from the Fire Marshal's Office. At this point, we will have to have documentation to include proof of one (1) million liability insurance, a copy of the blaster's license, a copy of the blasting company's state license, and contact numbers to call if we have a problem. Blasting mats AND overburden are required on all shots. Signalization and flagman are required to stop traffic on all shots. Seismographic equipment is required. Pre-blast surveys and documentation are required. Also required are locations of magazines, day boxes, explosives log books, the schedule for delivery and removal of explosives and anything else we need for compliance with NFPA 495.

Fuel Storage Tank Issues. Any fuel tanks installed underground or aboveground must be approved by local Fire Marshal to include:

Air tank testing while soaping joints to check for leaks
Bedding material in bottom of pit
Separation between tanks
Separation tank to pit walls
Ground line soap testing and bedding
Pump testing
Leveling of the tanks
Emergency shutoff testing
Vent pipe testing

On aboveground tanks we will inspect construction of dike walls, venting, containment, extinguishers, and anything else we need to comply with NFPA for fuel tank installation.

Comments? Questions?