Georgia fire code
The Georgia fire code is the collection of statewide rules your building must follow, and it applies on top of anything your city or county asks for. If an inspection is coming up or you're bringing someone in to service the equipment, call now and a Georgia fire protection contractor will help you figure out which rules apply to your property.
Code in force: International Fire Code, 2024 Edition. Enforced by: Office of the Safety Fire Commissioner. Your local fire marshal can add rules, so check with that office too.
- mandatory state minimum fire code edition 2024 International Fire Code
- codes governing building fire alarm systems NFPA 101 and NFPA 72
- state office that administers fire rules Safety Fire Division
- state credential for fire sprinkler contractors Certificate of Competency
Asking about a house? For a house or duplex, smoke alarm and sprinkler rules usually come from the residential building code (the IRC) instead, so ask your local building department.
State fire commissioner rules
The state code is administered by the Safety Fire Division, part of the commissioner's office. Those rules have legal force across the whole state and establish the baseline fire safety standards.
Permits, plan reviews, and inspections required by the state come on top of local ones. Passing your city's review doesn't guarantee you've covered every state obligation.
The state code also divides your equipment among separate rulebooks. The International Fire Code is the main source for portable fire extinguishers. Fire alarm systems mostly fall under the Life Safety Code, a national body of building safety rules.
Cities and counties may add requirements beyond the state code, though they can't loosen it. If two rules both apply, the tougher one wins.
Which codes the state has adopted
State minimum codes are adopted by the Board of Community Affairs, and the International Fire Code, 2024 Edition appears on the mandatory list now in effect. Send any questions about Georgia's amendments to that code, or about the Life Safety Code and the Georgia Accessibility Code, to the State Fire Marshal's Office. The state's list of current codes shows which editions are active.
Rules for extinguishers and alarms
Under Georgia rule 120-3-3, portable fire extinguishers must meet NFPA 10 and fire alarm systems must meet NFPA 72. The rule itself covers both.
There's a placement rule for commercial kitchens. Class K extinguishers need to sit 5 to 10 feet from the kitchen hood system's manual release. The wrong location can cause a failed inspection, so call now and get it verified.
Atlanta fire inspection
Inside the city, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Inspections Section enforces the state's minimum fire safety standards together with national fire codes and the city's own ordinances. Its downtown office is split into 3 divisions: plan review, inspections, and permitting.
You can use the online Request a Fire Inspection form from Atlanta Fire Rescue. Since state rules apply too, your equipment has to satisfy both sets of standards before the inspector shows up.
Checking who services your equipment
The state Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner's office licenses and permits the businesses and technicians that put in, check, refill, fix, maintain, or test extinguishers and suppression systems. Fire sprinkler contractors carry a Certificate of Competency, the state's way of confirming qualification. Alarm work follows a different path: low voltage alarm contractors are licensed by the Secretary of State.
New applications and renewals are handled through the OCI Citizenserve Portal. Each credential stays valid from January 1 to December 31, with renewals expected by November 1.
| Credential | Fee to renew or amend |
|---|---|
| Company license | $50 |
| Individual permit | $25 |
Companies must also send in 3 or more examples of the service tags, labels, and non-compliance tags they intend to use. These requirements come from Rule 120-3-23. Call now to reach a contractor who works to them.