What codes are enforced by the Franklin Fire Department?

The Franklin Fire Department enforces the 2018 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC), the 2018 edition of the National Fire Protection (NFPA) Life Safety Code 101, and codes referenced therein.  These codes and regulations apply to both new and existing buildings as indicated in the applicable code section(s). 

The Franklin Municipal Code Title VII also contains fire code-related provisions that are enforced by the department. You can find the fire protection section of the Franklin Municipal Code online HERE. 

My building/business has been here for many years.  Are the conditions grandfathered so I don’t have to make changes?

Grandfathering is actually a term used in zoning and certain planning applications.  The fire and life safety codes contain provisions for both new and existing occupancies.  Existing buildings and businesses are required to comply with the minimum requirements for existing occupancies unless they make changes to the building or tenant space.  When this occurs, or when a change of use occurs (from Business to Assembly, Business to Educational, Mercantile to Business, etc.), the building or tenant space may be required to comply with requirements for new construction.  The plan review process is designed to assist business owners and architects with these types of transitions.

What are the most common inspection problems found in new construction?

The following issues are frequently identified as causing delays in the inspection process. Although each of these may not be pertinent to every project, most should be considered.

Fire service water lines (underground)

• General contractor didn’t call for visual inspection before covering
• Fire service line not flushed or not witnessed by the fire department
• Underground plans not on site
• Thrust blocks not installed properly
• Underground paperwork not provided by the contractor

Hot box and fire line meter pit/vault

• Control valves are not chained and locked or otherwise supervised with approved tamper switches (some building/occupancies may require multiple locking methods; please contact the appropriate Fire Inspector to discuss)
• Heat not provided in the hot box (backflow) by direct wiring; switches are not allowed-heat must be controlled only by thermostat to maintain at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit at all times
• Sump pump in pit/vault not operational
• Fire Department does not have access to the hot box enclosure or pit/vault due to landscaping or construction

Fire hydrants

• Obstructed by bushes and landscaping
• Installed in the wrong location/not according to approved plans
• Installed with large connection facing wrong direction
• Not painted properly according to public/private hydrant
• Not turned on (hydrant valve(s) closed) or otherwise not in service

Building

• Address missing, not correct, not in correct location (on the front of the building), or numbers are not large enough to be visible in all types of lighting/weather conditions
• Knox Box is not installed (required where fire sprinkler systems or fire detection/alarm systems are present)
• Master keys for building/tenant spaces are not provided to be placed in the Knox Box
• Exit signs missing or not working
• Emergency lighting missing or not working
• Unapproved door hardware or proper door hardware missing
• Doors do not have proper fire resistance rating as required for the construction/according to building plans
• Penetrations in rated fire walls are not sealed with approved materials or in appropriate manner

Automatic sprinkler system

• General Contractor did not call for above ground piping inspection
• Main drain not piped to the exterior of the building (unless otherwise specifically approved)
• Inspector test discharge missing test head or not sized for testing
• Paint or foreign material on sprinkler heads (including approved bags used during spray painting)
• Control valves not locked or equipped with a tamper switch
• Heat missing or not working in the riser room (thermostatically controlled only)
• Weather-resistant horn/strobe not installed above the FDC
• FDC not visible due to landscaping or installed in wrong location (not according to plans) 
• FDC missing Knox locking plugs
• Riser room door not labeled (Riser Room or Fire Sprinkler)
• System is not monitored by an approved fire alarm system/monitoring service
• Signage missing (inspector test, main drain, etc.)
• Extra sprinkler heads and wrench not in the cabinet
• Above ground paperwork not provided by the contractor and systems not tagged with installation tags

Automatic fire alarm system

• System is not monitored by an approved monitoring agency
• Not provided with the required communication lines; presently two (2) phone lines with at least one solely dedicated to the fire alarm panel
• Plans not on site
• Circuit breaker for the fire alarm control panel (FACP) is not locked and not marked; breaker location not listed inside the FACP cover
• Batteries not dated
• Smoke detector not installed above the FACP or not at correct height/location
• FACP room not labeled
• Horn and strobes are not visible or do not meet installation requirements
• Horn/strobe and/or pull station devices are missing or not installed according to approved plans
• Devices not working
• Single-action pull stations not provided with protective covers or pull stations in public areas subject to tampering not provided with protective covers
• Tamper and other supervisory functions not working
• Flow switches not working or set outside the acceptable time delay of 35 to 45 seconds
• Flow switches not installed properly at sectional valves for each floor/area
• Duct detectors not assigned to Supervisory notification in fully sprinklered buildings (in non-sprinklered buildings duct detectors must sound a fire alarm throughout the building)
• Zones are not set up correctly or not reporting to FACP correctly
• Troubles and Supervisory signals not reporting
• FACP or system is not UL listed
• Company performing installation work is not licensed by the State of Tennessee for such work

Extinguisher and Commercial Hood Systems

• Not enough extinguishers
• Extinguishers are not serviced by licensed fire extinguisher contractor
• Wrong type of extinguisher for application
• Not mounted properly or at correct height
• Hood system not connected to fire alarm system where required
• Hood system not covering cooking equipment properly
• Exhaust fails to continue running when hood system activates (and makeup air fails to shut down)

Most common hazards by occupancy 

Assembly

Includes such buildings or parts used for movie theaters, concert halls, theaters, night clubs, restaurants, bars, community halls, dance halls, churches, etc.

• Blocked exits
• Doors locked during hours of occupancy
• Aisles not maintained
• Use of extension cords as permanent wiring
• Panic hardware not maintained/poor working order 
• Fire alarm test records not available
• Deadbolts on exit doors
• Exit sign missing or not working
• Overcrowded/no occupant load signage
• Fire extinguishers not serviced
• Decorations are not flame retardant
• Emergency lighting missing/not working
• Commercial cooking system records not maintained

Business and Mercantile

Buildings or parts of buildings used for offices or professional services are considered "Business" and may include banks, civic buildings, professional services (architects, attorneys, dentists, physicians, etc.), barber and beauty shops, etc.

Buildings used for the display or sale of merchandise are generally called "Mercantile" and include department stores, drug stores, markets, retail or wholesale stores, sales rooms, etc.

• Blocked exits
• Fire extinguishers not serviced 
• Poor housekeeping in storage areas 
• Careless disposal of smoking material   
• Improper storage of flammable liquids         
• Blocked sprinkler heads
• Exit sign missing or not working
• Use of extension cords as permanent wiring
• Careless trash (wastepaper) disposal
• Combustibles stored near heating sources

Educational

Applies to buildings or parts of buildings used for educational purposes through the 12th grade.

• Blocked, locked, or chained exits 
• Exit lights not functioning
• Unsafe storage practices in chemistry labs 
• Excessive combustible storage
• Non-flame retardant curtains in auditorium  
• Combustibles stored near heat sources
• Welding hazards
• Blocked sprinkler heads
• Fire protection systems not maintained
• Flammable liquids improperly stored
• Lack of fire drills or documentation
• Use of extension cords as permanent wiring
• Automotive spray painting in unapproved booths
• Lack of emergency vehicle access to building

Institutional

Occupancies classified as "Institutional" consists of many types of buildings and uses including residential board and care, assisted living, group homes, hospitals, nursing homes, child and adult daycares, and secured facilities such as jails and prisons.

• Fire protection systems not maintained  
• Concealed smoking by patients
• Exits blocked or locked
• Excessive storage of combustibles
• Combustibles too close to heating sources   
• Extension cords used as permanent wiring
• Lack of maintenance of commercial cooking hoods
• Fire doors propped open
• Evacuation plan outdated, inadequate, or not posted 

Residential

Codes enforced by the Franklin Fire Department in buildings classified as "Residential" do not include 1 and 2 family homes.  The types of buildings and occupancies that are inspected or are subject to the adopted fire and life safety codes include hotels/motels, apartment buildings, and similar uses.

• Blocked exits 
• Excessive storage in basement or corridors 
• Missing or inoperative exit signs
• Combustibles stored near heating equipment   
• Penetrations in fire-rated walls
• Stairway doors propped open
• Fire extinguishers not serviced or missing
• Poor housekeeping
• Accumulation of dryer lint/dust in laundry room 
• Lack of/blocked fire department access
• Incomplete or missing evacuation plans
• Fire protection systems not maintained

Factory

Buildings or parts of buildings where assembling, disassembling, fabricating, finishing, manufacturing, packaging, repair, or processing operations occurs are classified as "Factory."  These facilities or uses are further considered as Low or Moderate Hazard occupancies. 

• Fire protection system not maintained
• Type of raw materials/products not appropriate for fire protection systems
• Extension cords in use as permanent wiring
• Exits locked or obstructed
• Fire doors propped open
• Excessive storage of combustible materials

Storage Buildings

Storage buildings or parts of buildings may be classified as "Storage" as long as hazardous materials are not part of the storage.  Within the overall classification, there are two sub-categories of Low-hazard and Moderate-hazard.

• Fire protection systems not adequate for materials stored
• Exits obstructed
• Fire protection systems not maintained
• Electrical/machinery hazards
• Improper storage/disposal of oily rags
• Improper disposal of trash/waste
• Aisles between storage/racks not maintained
• Sprinkler heads obstructed
• Fire doors propped open