Authority

Title 25, Chapter 2, of the Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) allows the Safety Fire Commissioner of Georgia to adopt rules and regulations to promote fire safety. The primary task of the Fire Marshal's Office (FMO) is enforcing these "Rules and Regulations for the State Minimum Fire Safety Standards" as adopted by the State Fire Commissioner.

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." Other 120 Rules are also adopted for specific areas of fire safety code adoption and enforcement. Certain National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and the International Fire Code are adopted under these 120 rules. According to 25-2-4 O.C.G.A., these codes have the "force and effect of law."

For local enforcement purposes, Athens-Clarke County adopts these state minimum standards by reference in Athens-Clarke County Code 3-7-1. The FMO also enforces local fire protection ordinances found in Chapter 3-7 of the Athens-Clarke County Code of Ordinances.

Responsibilities

Based on Title 25, Chapter 2 O.C.G.A., the Fire Marshal's Office has three major responsibilities:

1. Conduct fire & life safety inspections of existing buildings and structures.

2. Review plans and specifications for proposed buildings and structures, issue joint building permits with the Building Departments when plans are approved, and conduct fire & life safety inspections of such buildings and structures.

3. Issue joint Certificates of Occupancy with the Building Departments of Athens-Clarke County, when all appropriate inspections have been approved.

The Athens-Clarke County Fire Marshal's Office utilizes adopted codes and ordinances to ensure:

1. Recognized and potential fire and life safety hazards are identified and mitigated.

2. Reliable egress for occupants from structures.

3. Fire protection and life safety systems are installed and maintained to operate in an effective manner.

4. Buildings are accessible and "user-friendly" to help responding fire crews quickly mitigate any fire or life safety emergency.