The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) provides many services to provide safety to life and property from fire for the citizens of the Commonwealth. A listing of programs is below.
Adult Care Residences: Annual inspections of adult care and assisted living facilities are mandated by the Code of Virginia§9.1-207.
Child Care Facilities: The State Fire Marshal’s Office is mandated by the Code of Virginia §63.2-1716 to inspect childcare facilities operated by religious institutions, which are exempt from licensure by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS).
Consulting Services: The SFMO provides assistance to fire and building officials, architects, engineers, contractors, and building owners and occupants with items relative to the SFPC, or the fire safety provisions of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), including referenced standards.
Explosives: As required by the Code of Virginia §27-97, the SFMO issues permits for the storage, use, and sale of explosives in areas with no local enforcement. This includes investigation of complaints.
Fee Based Inspection Programs: The SFMO has been authorized to collect permit fees for inspections of several occupancy classifications. The fee schedules are located in Section 107.12 of the 2012 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code
Hospitals: The SFMO inspects hospitals annually in areas of the state that do not have local enforcement of the SFPC.
Local Jails: In accordance with a Memorandum of Agreement with the Virginia Department of Corrections, the State Fire Marshal’s Office annually inspects local and regional jails in areas with no local enforcement of the Statewide Fire Prevention Code. This is done as part of the certification of the jails. For additional information on the certification of local jails.
Night Clubs: The SFMO annually inspects nightclubs in areas of the state do not have local enforcement of the SFPC.
Other State Buildings: The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is mandated by the Code of Virginia §36-98.1, to provide assistance to the Department of General Services on the fire protection and prevention provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC).
Public Schools: Annual inspections of public schools are mandated by the Code of Virginia §9.1-207. In areas that do not have local enforcement of the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC), these inspections are done by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Reduced Cigarette Ignition Propensity (RCIP): The SFMO reviews and approves certificates of testing from manufacturers and conducts inspection of retail establishment to ensure cigarette packages are stamped in accordance with statutory requirements. Fire Standard Compliant Cigarette Certification.
Requests and Complaints: The SFMO responds to complaints and requests for State Fire Prevention Code inspections in localities that do not have local enforcement.
Seat of Government Buildings: The SFMO has been authorized to inspect state owned buildings at the seat of government. These are the state buildings located in Richmond, or near the Capital Square area.
State Colleges and Universities: The Code of Virginia §9.1-207 mandates annual inspections for all student residence facilities (dorms) owned, leased, or otherwise operated by a state college or university. These inspections are done annually by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
State Owned Residential Care Buildings: The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is mandated by the Code of Virginia§9.1-207, to complete annual fire safety inspections of state owned residential care buildings. These inspections include primarily correctional and mental health facilities.
Private Colleges and University Dormitories: The SFMO inspects private college and university dormitories annually in areas of the state that do not have local enforcement of the SFPC.
Private Schools: The SFMO will inspect private schools annually in areas of the state do not have local enforcement of the SFPC.
Public Service and Education: The SFMO develops and presents educational programs for college administrators, fire service organizations, building official groups, inspectors, school teachers, and other client groups.
For more information, contact: statefiremarshal@vdfp.virginia.gov or (804) 371-0220.
Related Links
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Virginia Building Code Officials Association
- Virginia Department of Corrections
- Virginia Department of Education
- Virginia Department of Fire Programs
- Virginia Department of General Services
- Virginia Department of Health
- Virginia Department of Social Services
- Virginia Fire and Life Safety Coalition
- Virginia Fire Chief’s Association
- Virginia Fire Prevention Association
- U.S. Fire Administration