Government > City Departments/Offices > Fire > Fire Marshal's Office > Life Safety

The Life Safety Section is tasked with ensuring that all of the buildings in Annapolis, both new and existing meet the requirements of our Fire Prevention Code. This is accomplished through two ways – through inspections and the permit process.

The inspection process involves the inspection of all occupancies except one and two family dwelling units on a cyclic inspection schedule derived from life safety and fire risk assessment. Currently, occupancies are inspected on an annual, biennial, or triennial basis. The inspection process also includes family day care and day care center inspections at the request of state and county agencies.

The permit process encompasses plan review, inspections, and tests that are required as part of the permitting procedures established by the City and/or State. During plan review, inspection, and acceptance testing our inspectors make sure fire protection systems are designed and installed as specified by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). By ensuring equipment is installed according to code we assist building owners and tenants maintain a fire safe environment.

March 25, 2011 marked the 100 year anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire; a fire that inspired the country to develop a system to protect people. The Life Safety Code we use today was born in the aftermath of that fire and we benefit from lessons learned. You can count on all of our personnel in the fire department to hold true the belief; there is no substitute for providing adequate egress from buildings.