BUREAU OF FIRE PREVENTION
The mission of the Bureau of Fire Prevention (Bureau) is to reduce the loss of life and property to the ravages of uncontrolled fire and hazardous conditions by educating the public, enforcing fire codes, and investigating the cause and the origin of fires which includes data collection and analysis. The Bureau is managed by a Deputy Chief and is divided into two (2) distinct divisions Fire Investigation and Fire Code Enforcement.
 Fire Investigation
The Fire Investigation Division is supervised and led by District Chief Gene Bennett. The Division consists of three investigators who work a 24-hour shift and two follow-up Investigators assigned to a 40 hour shift providing complete, around the clock investigations of all fires. The Fire Investigators, also certified Police Officers, investigate all structural fires in the City of Mobile and its legal jurisdiction for the cause and origin of the fire.
The purpose of the investigation is to determine if accident or a malicious act caused the fire. If it is discovered the fire is incendiary, the Fire Investigators are responsible for case development as well as assistance in prosecution. A fire report will be generated, which will be available at this office. The coversheet for a report is available at a minimal cost. Contact the office with the date of loss and the address where the fire occurred, our office can have the report ready for you when you arrive. Any information, beyond the coversheet, can be obtained through a subpoena. In addition to investigating fires for cause and origin the Fire Investigation Division provides assistance to the Code Enforcement Division with arrest and citation authority.
 Fire Code Enforcement
The Fire Code Enforcement Division is supervised and led by District Chief Billy Roach, a twenty year department veteran with a background in Training, Hazardous Material Response and degrees in Fire Service Management, Emergency Management and Homeland Security. The Division, primarily available during business hours Monday through Friday, consists of eight personnel including one certified police officer, all with extensive backgrounds that compliment and support their tour of duty.
The Fire Code Enforcement Division exists to provide the highest level of fire prevention through public education, inspection, enforcement of the City’s adopted Fire Code (found in the City of Mobile Municipal Code ) and a detailed Plan Review program to ensure that properties and buildings are properly constructed in accordance with local and state requirements.
Bureau personnel strive to provide the areas we serve with the most updated information available to safely maintain your place of business from fire and hazards. We see prevention as a team effort. We work with you to make our community safer for everyone. Our inspectors work with contractors to ensure that new buildings are built to the strictest fire and life safety standards. They work with Mobile business owners to help eliminate conditions that threaten the safety of the buildings occupants or impede our ability to efficiently assist in an emergency.
Please contact us if we can be of service to you at (251) 208-7484.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention personnel are skilled in many areas including but not limited to:
Alabama Peace Officer Training – Continuing education
Plan Review - Plans are reviewed for:
- New construction and renovations to existing buildings.
- Building Code Summary http://www.cityofmobile.org/pdf/150ca106.pdf
- Fire Alarm System Plan Review
- Fire Suppression Sprinkler Systems Plan Review
- Commercial Kitchen Suppression Hood Plan Review
The Most Common Plan Review Deficiencies (source: Fire Plan Review and Inspection
Guidelines International Code Council “ICC” 2008)
The following design items most frequently cause the rejection of plans.
- Incomplete building code studies for new buildings and tenant improvements.
- Site plans that lack complying emergency fire access roads.
- Site Plans that do not provide available water flow information, size and location of water mains, and the distance and location of hydrants.
- Fire department connections (FDCs) that are not in an accessible location near the front entry point of the building.
- Smoke detector locations are not detailed nor provided in all the required locations.
- Fire extinguisher classification type and mounting locations that are not detailed.
- Fire extinguisher cabinets that are recessed into the fire-rated assemblies that do not provide a listed or approved detail of how the wall assembly fire rating is maintained.
- Complete information and design details for high piled storage areas that are not provided as required by the International Fire Code.
- Emergency lighting designs seldom provide the required 1 foot-candle at the floor level along the exit path.
Fire Protection Systems
- Fire Alarm Systems and Fire Sprinkler Systems
- Portable Fire Extinguishers
- Commercial Kitchen Suppression Systems
- Inspectors are involved with permitting, design drawing review, installation acceptance inspection and testing.
Occupancy Inspections including: Inspections are an important part of confirming and verifying fire code compliance. For new construction or tenant renovations, inspections are performed to confirm that fire protection systems are installed according to standards. A fire inspection is required for day care occupancies and before a certificate of occupancy is issued. A 24 hour advance request required.
- Business
- Hospitals
- Day Care
- Senior Living Facilities
- Schools
- Motel/Hotels
- Restaurants
- Bars/Night Clubs
- Final Inspection for Certificate of Occupancy
Construction and Operational Permits
Approved Companies
In order to be included on the approved list of companies able to obtain permits, certain requirements must be met. The requirements vary depending on the type of permit being applied for. Most require a current City of Mobile business license and a Certificate of Insurance. Sprinkler and Fire Alarm contractors must have a current State of Alabama Sprinkler Certification from the State Fire Marshal’s office. In addition, Fire Extinguisher/Fire Suppression System contractors must have a current manufacturer’s certificate of training.
Please call for any additional requirements for other permits.
A permit must be issued prior to the start of any work.
- Commercial Permitting Flow Chart for developers http://www.cityofmobile.org/pdf/150ca108.pdf
- Fire Alarm Systems
- Fire Sprinkler Systems
- Standpipe Systems
- Underground Piping Installation for Fire Suppression Systems
- Fire Pump
- Annual Portable Fire Extinguisher Service
- Fire Suppression System (example; Hood and FM200 systems Fire Extinguisher Servicing.)
- Bonfire
- Open Burning for Land clearing (strict guidelines)
- Fireworks – Professional displays only
- AST Aboveground Storage Tank Installation for flammable or combustible liquids
- UST Underground Storage Tank Installation for flammable or combustible liquids
- Tank Decommissioning
- Tent
Useful Information on Fire Prevention (pdf formats)
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