Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a free smoke alarm?
Residents of Nashville/Davidson County in need of a smoke alarm may obtain one (1) free smoke alarm per household from the Fire Marshal’s Office. Residents can receive their smoke alarm at Fire Department Headquarters Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. For any questions regarding the free smoke alarms, please call or email the Fire Marshal’s Office at 615-862-5230 or [email protected].
How can I obtain a fire report?
How can I obtain an inspection report?
How do I get a burn permit for my bonfire?
Metro Health Department issues permits for organization bonfires via the Air Pollution Control Office. The Fire Marshal’s Office does not issue bonfire permits. Please see contact information below:
Air Pollution Control: 615-340-5653
Can I get a burn permit to burn brush or leaves in my yard?
No.
Residents in Metro Nashville's Urban and General Services Districts have their brush and yard waste collected four times a year on a rotating schedule along 12 routes. Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) also offers free brush disposal at certain locations. See the NDOT website for details on these programs.
Can I have a grill on the balcony of my apartment/condominium?
For other than one- and two-family dwellings, no hibachi, grill, or other similar device used for cooking, heating, or any other purpose shall be used, stored, or kindled on any balcony, under any overhanging portion, or within 10 feet of any structure. For more information regarding open flame grills on balconies, please visit the Open Flame Grills on Balconies page.
Who should I contact if there is a problem with a hydrant on my street?
Fire hydrants are the property of the local utility provider, such as Metro Water Services, Harpeth Valley Utility District, Madison Suburban Utility District, etc. Please contact your local utility provider for assistance. A HUB Nashville request can also be submitted by visiting the Broken Fire Hydrant Request page.
How can I schedule an educational fire-related program?
To schedule an educational program please contact the Public Education division of the Fire Marshal’s Office by sending an email to [email protected] or by calling 615-862-5230.
Can you give the location of a Fire Station?
Yes, check our Fire Station Locations page. You can also use our interactive Fire Department Mapping Tool to find nearest fire stations and fire hydrants to any address in Davidson County.
What is a Knox Box and which businesses need one?
A Knox Box is a Rapid Entry Key Box System. It can securely store keys, access cards, key fobs, elevator keys, electrical shunt trips, or other vital information needed to assist emergency responders. For additional information about Knox Boxes, see our Knox Box Information and Requirements page.
If I have a concession trailer/food truck that will always stay in the same location and is no longer mobile, what permits do I need?
You will need a proper use and occupancy permit from the Building Codes Department to be permanently located on a property because your food truck/trailer will now be considered a structure. If your food truck/trailer uses propane, you will need to go to the ePermits site and apply for a Fire Marshal’s Office LPG permit annually for your location. Please visit the Nashville Fire Marshal’s Office Operational Permits page for more information about the requirements for an LPG permit.
What requires an operational permit?
An operational permit is required when conditions, operations, or materials hazardous to life or property exist. To find a complete list of our operational permits, please visit our Operational Permits page.
When should I submit my application for my operational permit(s)?
To process permit applications and payments, as well as schedule the required inspections, all operational permit applications must be submitted at least 15 business days before the start date of the event or operation. All applications submitted within 15 business days of the event or operation start date will be denied.
Where can I find all the requirements for the operational permits that I need?
The Operational Permits page contains a list of all required operational permits. When you find the permit that you need, click on the permit name. This will open a document that contains all the requirements for that permit. For any assistance with permit requirements, please email any questions to [email protected].
After completing the application for my operational permit, will I need an inspection?
Most operational permits will require an inspection.
How can I get a tent or propane permit?
Before obtaining a tent or propane permit, please visit the FMO Operational Permits page to see the requirements for each permit. To apply for a permit, use the ePermits system. Any questions or concerns may be sent to the Fire Marshal’s Office by emailing [email protected].
How do I get a permit for a commercial air curtain system?
Metro Health Department issues permits for construction site Air Curtain Systems via the Air Pollution Control Office. Once the Air Pollution Control Office has granted permission, an application for an Air Curtain permit must be submitted to the Fire Marshal’s Office using the ePermits site. Requirements for the FMO Air Curtain permit can be found on our Operational Permits page. For any questions:
Air Pollution Control: 615-340-5653
Fire Marshal’s Office: [email protected]
Does the Fire Marshal’s Office inspect renovations or build outs of existing buildings or new construction projects?
Yes. For new and existing commercial building projects, the Fire Marshal’s Office performs a wide range of required inspections that include multiple types of “rough in” (pre-drywall, interior wall, above ceiling, etc.) inspections, inspection and testing of various fire and life safety equipment and systems, and final inspections for Use & Occupancy (U&O) depending on what is required for the project. Contact [email protected] for any questions regarding inspections for your project.
When do I need an inspection from the Fire Marshal’s Office during my renovation, build out, or new construction project?
Required fire inspections will vary by project, but they typically include inspections before covering any walls or ceilings, inspections of various fire and life safety systems from installation through compliance testing, and inspections once all work has been completed. To avoid potential issues or delays with your project, we encourage all permit holders to reach out to our office as soon as their building permit has been issued. Please email any questions to [email protected].
What requirements must be met before I request an inspection from the Fire Marshal’s Office?
Verify all trade permits connected to the project (Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Low Voltage, Fire Alarm, etc.) have received their corresponding approvals. Ensure all stamped plan sets reviewed by the Fire Marshal’s Office (architectural, sprinkler, fire alarm, etc.) and their comment sheets are on site. For questions, please email [email protected] with your name, contact number, permit number(s), and project address, or contact your assigned inspector directly.
How do I request an inspection from the Fire Marshal’s Office?
To request an inspection from the Fire Marshal’s Office, simply fill out the form located on our Fire and Life Safety Inspections page or send an email to [email protected] that includes your name, contact number, permit number(s), project address, and a brief description of the type of inspection you are requesting.
Once I have requested or scheduled my inspection with the Fire Marshal’s Office, what should I do to prepare for the inspection?
Again, verify that the trade permits are in order, and all stamped plans are on site. Inspect the areas or systems several times leading up to the scheduled fire inspection to help reduce the chance of a failed inspection or potential project delay. For any questions about preparation for your inspection, please send an email with your name, contact number, permit number(s), and project address to [email protected], or contact the fire inspector assigned to your project directly.
What are some of the most common reasons for failed inspections?
Most failed inspections are due to not having the stamped set of plans and comment sheet from the Fire Marshal’s Office on site, covering an area that requires an inspection before the inspection is completed, providing misleading or misrepresented information, incomplete or insufficient work or progress found during the inspection, fire and life safety systems/equipment not properly installed or pre-tested, systems or equipment not functioning properly, no one present for the inspection, etc.
Who can submit plans to Codes for review?
The architect, engineer, or registered designer should be the individual to submit plans to Codes for review.
How many sets of plans do I need to bring in?
A single electronic submittal of a complete plan set must be submitted to the Codes Department by a design professional. No paper plans will be accepted. Once all departments have reviewed the plans, the design professional will receive an email that contains a link to a digital copy of the reviewed set (stamped by both Building and Fire Plans Examiners), as well as a copy of the FMO comment sheet for the project. A complete set of the stamped plans and FMO comment sheet must be kept on site.
What is the most common reason for plan rejection?
Incomplete plans. Plans submitted for review should accurately and completely convey the scope of the project. At minimum, plans for renovation or build out of existing buildings should contain building construction information, code analysis, floor plan, life safety plan, and necessary MEP trade plans. Construction of new buildings and additions to existing buildings should include all the items above, plus, a full set of civil site plans and a flow test report.
Do you offer expedited plan review services?
No.
Are applicants allowed to use an independent third-party review service?
Yes. Applicants may utilize independent third-party plan review services with prior approval from this office. Applicants choosing to utilize a third-party review service must use a TPO for the entire project including architectural, life safety, MEP trades, and systems.
Am I required to submit a fire hydrant flow test with my project?
A two-hydrant flow test report conducted by the water utility provider within the preceding six months is required for construction of a new commercial building, additions to existing commercial buildings, and new subdivision developments. Construction or additions to one- and two-family residences exceeding 5000 gross square feet in area are also required to submit a current fire hydrant flow test report. Contact your water utility provider to obtain a fire hydrant flow test report.
What requires you to include a sprinkler system in a building?
The Fire Code requires sprinkler systems for specific occupancies (apartments, hospitals, etc.). The Fire Code also has requirements regarding the amount of water flow being supplied to a building or location. These fire flow requirements are based on the construction type and square footage of the building to ensure that there is adequate water flow available in the event of a fire.
Do I need a building permit to install a sprinkler system?
Yes.
Do I need a permit to install a fire alarm?
Yes, an application must be made for a fire alarm permit with Metro Codes if you are installing a new system, adding any devices to an existing system, or replacing a fire alarm control panel for an existing system. A complete set of fire alarm plans may be required.
Do I need to submit plans for a fire alarm permit?
If installing a new system or adding 20 or more devices to an existing system, a complete set of plans must be electronically submitted to the Fire Marshal’s Office for review before any work can begin on the system. After the plan set has been reviewed and stamped by the fire plans examiner, a copy of the stamped plans must be kept on site. For emergency panel replacement, plans may be submitted during or after the replacement of the panel.
Do you allow deferred submittal of system plans?
Yes. Deferred submittal is allowed in most cases for fire alarm, fire sprinkler, emergency power, and Firefighter Air Replenishment systems. Deferred submittals should be submitted within 90 days of construction permit issuance.
How long will it take to review my commercial construction or site plans?
Average turnaround for most commercial construction, additions, renovations, and site plans is 4-6 weeks after receiving the plans. Plan review times will fluctuate based on volume and complexity of projects being reviewed.
Is the Fire Marshal's Office involved in plans for subdivisions and single-family homes?
The Fire Marshal’s Office is involved for the purposes of determining fire flow for firefighting purposes, Fire Department access, and fire hydrant locations. The amount of water required for houses is based on construction type and square footage. This requirement is separate from the requirements for a specific occupancy.
How long will it take to review my application and plans for construction or addition to a one- and two-family residence?
Most reviews of one- and two-family dwelling construction and additions are completed within 1-2 business days when submitted via the [email protected] email box.
What needs to be included on sketched or hand-drawn plans?
Plans need to be as detailed as possible. Show exit doors and life safety features (exit signs, emergency lighting, alarm devices, etc.) as well as stairwells and other levels.
When do I need a building permit?
Section 16.28.010 of the Metro Code of Ordinances specifies that, "It shall be the duty of every person desiring to construct, alter, repair, enlarge, move or demolish any building or structure or part thereof or any appurtenances connected or attached thereto... to first make application to the Director of Codes and Building Safety and obtain the required permits.”
What are the hours of operation for the Fire Marshal Plans Examiners?
We see customers from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This allows the reviewers time to finish paperwork for the day.
What code is enforced by the Nashville Fire Marshal’s Office?
The Nashville Fire Marshal’s Office enforces the Metropolitan Fire Prevention Code. Please see our Nashville Fire Department Code Editions page for full details.