1. INTRODUCTION

   The Fire Prevention Bureau is establishing a plan of inspection for commercial properties and/or businesses within the Marion City limits. The goal of the plan is to ensure that a regular fire inspection will be conducted on all commercial properties and/or businesses at least every two-calendar years.  This plan is applicable for the inspections of all commercial properties and businesses, subject to the provisions of Marion Code of Ordinances, Chapter 164, Fire Prevention Code, Administrative Directives, applicable standards from the National Fire Protection Association and codes, rules and regulations that are enforced by the Iowa State Fire Marshals Office.

2. REGULAR FIRE INSPECTIONS- FREQUENCY

   Regular fire inspections of all commercial properties and/or businesses are to be conducted as outlined below, or as amended by the Fire Prevention Bureau Division Head, or by the Fire Chief.

   The following commercial properties and/or businesses should have one routine fire inspection per year:

   1. Structures containing fire-protection systems and equipment which includes automatic fire sprinkler systems, standpipes, fire-extinguishing systems for spray booths and commercial cooking hoods and automatic or manual fire alarm systems.
      Exceptions: Schools, colleges, dwelling units and occupancies in a mall less than 5000 square feet.
   2. Occupancies classified as Places of Assembly.
   3. Occupancies that involve the manufacturing, processing, generation or storage of materials that constitute a high fire, explosion or health hazard.
   4. Day care centers, nurseries, assisted living, health-care centers and nursing homes.
   5. Inspections that require a special permit which includes Beer and Liquor license, temporary membrane structures, tents and canopies.
   6. Common areas of all schools, grades K-12, and colleges.
   7. Common areas and occupancies in a mall greater than 5000 square feet.

   All other commercial properties and/or businesses shall have a routine fire inspection every two years.  School and college classrooms and accessory areas shall be inspected every two years.  Occupancies in malls less than 5000 square feet shall be inspected every two years. Dwelling units shall be inspected subject to the provisions under Marion Code of Ordinances, Chapter 165, Housing Code.

   Commercial structures that are classified as a rental storage building will not be inspected unless the occupancy use changes.

3. NOTIFICATION OF REGULAR FIRE INSPECTION

   The Fire Prevention Bureau Division Head will issue the regular fire inspections to each shift containing fire inspectors and to the bureau at the beginning of each quarter.  The regular fire inspection and re-inspections should be completed within that quarter with the exceptions due to extenuating circumstances as determined by the Division Head.  Any new preplans or preplans that need to be updated will be assigned to the shifts at the beginning of each quarter.   The shift inspectors will be assigned inspections involving only certain occupancies that will accommodate other duties, time and their level of expertise.

   Each Inspector should notify the property or business owner of their intent to inspect the business. Inspector shall notify them at least five working days before the inspection date.  Such notification shall be in the form of a telephone conversation, written communication or personal contact.

   Exception: Businesses that require a Beer and Liquor license shall be notified in the form of a letter at least thirty days before the inspection.

4. FORM OF INSPECTION

   The fire codes that have been adopted by the City of Marion establishes the requirements and acceptability criteria for commercial property or businesses

   The inspector shall submit the violation(s) in writing to the property or business owner or agent.  The owner or agent must correct the violation by the date agreed upon by the owner or agent and inspector.  At the time of the inspection, the inspector will give the property or business owner the re-inspection fee schedule.  Re-inspections will be conducted, approximately every two weeks until all of the violations have been corrected.

   Any violation deemed as a life safety hazard, the inspector shall notify the Fire Prevention Bureau Division Head.  The severity of the violation will be evaluated by the division head and a notice to immediately correct the violation will be served to the business owner or agent.  The time and date of the re-inspection will be left at the discretion of the division head.

   Once all of the violations have been corrected, the inspector shall submit the form to the Fire Prevention Bureau Division Head.  The number of re-inspections and fees are subject to the provisions outlined under Resolution # 14839.

   During any number of re-inspections, if at any time the inspector feels that he or she is at an impasse with the commercial property or business owner or agent, the inspector should notify the Fire Prevention Bureau Division Head.  The Fire Prevention Bureau will continue to conduct the re-inspections until compliance has been met.    If  compliance has not been met by the seventh re-inspection, the commercial property or business owner is then subject to the provisions under Marion City of Ordinances, Chapter  4, Municipal Infractions or by other legal methods.  Any violation that is deemed to be a life safety hazard may proceed to a municipal infraction at any time prior to the seventh re-inspection.

   Fire Inspection forms shall be shall be placed in the property or business file and retained for a minimum of five years.

5. PLAN REVIEW

   Plans for new construction, remodeling or additions of any commercial structures, businesses or multi-family dwellings shall be submitted to the Fire Department for approval.  Plans submitted shall include:

The Fire Prevention Bureau is establishing a plan of inspection for commercial properties and/or businesses within the Marion City limits. The goal of the plan is to ensure that a regular fire inspection will be conducted on all commercial properties and/or businesses at least every two-calendar years.  This plan is applicable for the inspections of all commercial properties and businesses, subject to the provisions of Marion Code of Ordinances, Chapter 164, Fire Prevention Code, Administrative Directives, applicable standards from the National Fire Protection Association and codes, rules and regulations that are enforced by the Iowa State Fire Marshals Office.

 

1. Site plan- new construction or additions
2. Building plans- Architectural drawing*
3. Mechanical System
4. Electrical System
5. Automatic Fire Alarm System including data specification sheets on all devices
6. Automatic Fire Sprinkler System including fire flow calculation and cut sheets

 

* Architectural drawing are  required for new construction, additions or alterations over 1000 square feet.  For additions or alterations under 1000 square feet, plans submitted must be a scaled drawing showing all of the changes and or additions with all of the dimensions.

The Fire Prevention Bureau Division Head or assigned designee will have the responsibility to review the plans.  The Division Head or designee will submit an addendum letter to the general contractor and a copy to property/business owner within 10 working days.  Addendum letters for automatic or manual fire alarm systems and automatic fire sprinkler systems shall be submitted to the subcontractor and a copy to the general contractor and the property/business owner within 10 working days.

A copy of the Building and Fire Departments addendum letter, any applicable correspondence and any automatic or manual fire alarm system or automatic fire sprinkler system test results will remain in the property/business file for the life of the building.

1. POST CARD COMPLIANCE SYSTEM

   The system may be used for any occupancy inspected solely for compliance with the International Fire Code.

   Occupancies/violations/situations not eligible are as follows:

   1. Occupancies that contain the same violations noted on the previous inspection reports and/or have a track record of like violations or numerous revisits for compliance.
   2. Life Safety issues
   
   During the post inspection interview, discuss a suggested time of compliance with the property owner/agent, explain the post card system to them.  Make sure they have a complete understanding how the system is intended to work and especially that they will receive a return visit if the card is not received by the agreed date.

   List a specific date for the time of compliance not a number of days.

   Note on the inspection report that a post card was issued.

   The front of the card, the date of the report and the compliance date are to be filled out by the inspector.

   Upon receipt of the card at Station #2 the cards will be stamped received and will be placed in the applicable inspectors mail box.  The inspectors at Station #1 will be notified of a returned card.

   The inspector will note the compliance date on the inspection report, staple the card to the report and give the report to the Fire Prevention Bureau Division Head for review.

2. CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY, NEW CONSTRUCTION

   The Building and Fire Departments should conduct an inspection before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued to the property/business owner.  The Building Department is responsible for issuing the Certificate of Occupancy.  The general contractor, property or business owner requesting an inspection should notify the Fire Department 24 hours in advance.  They may call 377-8237 during business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

   Occupancy inspection should include a building inspection, automatic or manual fire alarm system and automatic fire sprinkler system acceptance test shall be performed.  Subcontractors shall be present for the automatic or manual fire alarm system and automatic fire sprinkler system acceptance tests. *

   If any deficiencies are observed by the inspector, the inspector shall submit the deficiencies in writing to the contractor or property/business owner.  The contractor or owner must correct the deficiencies by the date agreed upon by the contractor or owner and inspector.  At the time of the inspection, the inspector will give the contractor or owner the re-inspection fee schedule.  Re-inspections will be conducted, approximately every two weeks or on the agreed date and time, until all of the deficiencies have been corrected.

   Once all of the deficiencies have been corrected, the inspector shall submit the form to the Fire Prevention Bureau Division Head.  The number of re-inspections and fees are subject to the provisions outlined under Resolution # 14839.

   *The Acceptance tests may be performed on separate days at no charge to the contractor or property/business owner.

3. COMPLAINTS

   The Fire Prevention Bureau personnel or a shift fire inspector shall investigate all complaints alleging a violation of the fire code.  All such complaints shall be registered on a complaint form.

   It is the policy of the City of Marion to investigate all complaints within 3 working days of the receipt of the complaint.

   The fire inspector shall attempt to notify the property/business owner or occupant by telephone or personal contact that a complaint has been filed with the Fire Department alleging fire code violation(s) and the department intends to inspect the property/business.  The owner or agent shall be advised of the time and date and given the opportunity to accompany the inspector on the inspection.

   If the complaint is valid, the inspector shall follow Section IV. Form of Inspection, as outlined in this document.  Any complaint violation deemed as a life safety hazard, the inspector shall notify the Fire Prevention Bureau Division Head.  The severity of  violation will be evaluated by the division head and a notice to immediately correct the violation will be served to the business owner or agent.  The time and date of the re-inspection will be left at the discretion of the division head.

   The inspector shall re-inspect the property or business on or about the agreed date and time.  The complaint form and violation sheet shall be placed in the property or business file and retained for a minimum of five years.

4. RIGHT TO APPEAL

   Any person aggrieved by a written notice issued on connection with the alleged violation of the Fire Code or any other applicable standard or regulation issued thereto, has the right to appeal subject to the provisions under Marion City of Ordinances, Chapter 146, Fire Prevention Code.

See Also:

Commercial Fee Schedule
Commercial Inspection: Frequently Asked Questions
Commercial Inspection: General Information
Commercial Inspection: Tent Permit Process

Special Inspections: Beer and Liquor Inspections
Special Inspections: Complaint Inspections

PDF Files:
Inspection Check List for Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems
Inspector's List of Common Violations