Plan Review

plan_reviewThe Fire Marshal's Office conducts plan reviews and construction inspections of new developments and commercial buildings, including renovations and remodels of existing buildings. Reviews are also made of significant modifications to fire protection systems (fire sprinklers, fire alarms, cooking suppression, clean agent, etc).

Applying for Fire Marshal's Office Plan Review
The Carroll County Fire Marshal’s Office evaluates all new and renovation construction projects for code compliance in the following areas:

  • Site plans
  • Architectural plans (New Building/Addition/Remodel)
  • Fire sprinkler plans
  • Fire alarm plans
  • Alternate fire suppression systems

The review of site plans examines emergency vehicle access and fire hydrant location. Building architectural construction plan review checks for compliance pertaining to NFPA Codes and Standards, which includes the Life Safety Code, the rules and regulations of the International Fire Code with State of Georgia Amendments, the International Fire Code and any applicable County Ordinances. Plans for fire sprinkler protection systems and fire alarms are reviewed for all buildings where required in both commercial and multi-family residential applications.  Alternate fire suppression system plans are reviewed for all buildings where required in commercial and industrial applications. 

Site and architectural plans are reviewed by the Fire Marshal’s office concurrently with Carroll County Community Development and the municipalities within Carroll County. A commercial building permit application package can be obtained from community development to begin the process. After submitting the application to community development, plans should be submitted to the Carroll County Fire Marshal’s Office for initial review. 

Plan Submittal Requirements
All architectural building plans must bear the seal of a Georgia registered architect or engineer, unless exempted by State Law. Three full sets of architectural building plans must be submitted to the Fire Marshal’s Office for review.

Review Process
Plan review by the Fire Marshal’s office usually takes three to five business days. Code violations/plan corrections will be identified in a Fire Marshal Plan Review Corrections Letter emailed to the plan submitter. Upon submission of corrected drawings, the Fire Marshal’s Office will contact the submitter to arrange pick up of the approved drawings to be then taken to the appropriate community development office for review.

Inspection Process
During the construction or renovation process the Fire Marshal’s Office requires inspections to ensure conformity to the approved plans and compliance to all applicable codes and ordinances. A Fire Marshal’s Office inspector conducts an on-site inspection at least twice during construction: at the 80 percent stage and then at 100 percent completion of the project. At final inspection, the contractor shall have the following documents for review of the inspector for Temporary and Final Certificates of Occupancy (as applicable):

  • Georgia Licensed Fire Sprinkler Contactor’s Certificate for above ground piping
  • Georgia Licensed Fire Sprinkler Contactor’s Certificate for below ground piping
  • Georgia Licensed Fire Sprinkler Contactor’s Certificate for standpipes
  • Georgia Licensed Fire Sprinkler Contractor’s Certificate of Competency Site Supervision Form
  • Fire Pump Test Certificate
  • Letter from fire alarm installer certifying installation and completed Inspection and Testing Form is in accordance with NFPA 72
  • Letter from the Mechanical Engineer certifying that the smoke evacuation system for atriums has been tested in accordance with NFPA 92B
  • Letter from a Georgia Licensed Special Hazard Suppression Company indicating the hood suppression system is in compliance with NFPA 17A.
  • Letter from Georgia Licensed Electrician indicating that electrical system has been installed and meets the requirements of NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code)
  • Portable Fire Extinguishers installed and tagged by a Georgia Licensed Fire Extinguisher Company
  • All utilities must be on and in service (power, gas, water)

If a project fails an inspection, we will schedule another time to re-inspect. Once a project passes the final inspection, a certificate of occupancy is issued from the Fire Marshal’s Office.  The Fire Marshal’s Office inspections are not sequential with the applicable Community Development inspections.

Current codes and standards enforced by the Fire Marshal’s Office:

  • 2018 Life Safety Code with State of Georgia Amendments
  • 2018 International Fire Code with State of Georgia Amendments
  • All applicable National Fire Protection Association Standards 
  • Rules and Regulations of the Safety Fire Commissioner as adopted by the State of Georgia Chapter 120-3-3
  • Carroll County Code of Ordinances