New Construction Plan Review and Inspections - Fire Marshal's Office

In Sandy Springs, the commercial building permitting process is designed to streamline approvals for developers and property owners. A plan review and inspection by the Fire Marshal’s Office is included as part of the process.

Applying for a Fire Plan Review and Inspection

The Sandy Springs Fire Department evaluates all new construction and renovation projects for code compliance in the following areas:

• Site and zoning plans
• Architectural plans
• Fire sprinkler plans
• Fire alarm plans
• Alternative fire suppression systems

Site plan reviews evaluate emergency vehicle access and fire hydrant locations.

Building plan reviews verify compliance with NFPA Codes and Standards, including the Life Safety Code, the International Fire Code with State of Georgia Amendments, and applicable City ordinances.

Fire sprinkler system plans are reviewed for buildings where sprinkler protection is required in commercial and multifamily residential applications.

Fire plan reviews are conducted concurrently with site and building submittals, and no separate fire review submittal is required. Fire alarm and fire sprinkler shop drawings are reviewed at a later stage.

Site and architectural plans are reviewed concurrently by the Fire Marshal’s Office and the Building and Development Division of the Sandy Springs Department of Community Development. Drawings submitted to the Building and Development Division are routed internally to the Fire Marshal’s Office.

Plan Submittal Requirements

All building plans must bear the seal of a Georgia-registered architect or engineer unless exempted by State law.

When requesting a variance or waiver from state minimum fire safety standards, the designer must follow the required Fire Marshal variance procedures .

If a designer or contractor believes a code has been misapplied or misconstrued, an appeal to the Board of Appeals may be requested in accordance with City ordinance.

Review Process

Plan reviews conducted by the Fire Marshal’s Office typically take three to five business days.

Code violations are identified in the Letter of Permit Requirements (LOPR) issued by the Building and Development Division through email correspondence.

After corrected drawings are submitted, the Building and Development Division will contact the applicant to arrange pickup of approved drawings.

Fees

Fees for fire plan review and inspection are included within the building permit application fee.

No additional fee is charged for sprinkler or fire alarm drawings associated with an already permitted building project.

Inspection Process

During construction and renovation, inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with approved plans and applicable codes and ordinances.

Fire department inspectors typically conduct on-site inspections at the 80 percent completion stage and again at 100 percent completion.

At final inspection, contractors must provide all required inspection documents , as applicable.

Inspections are typically performed on the business day following the request.

If a project fails inspection, a re-inspection will be scheduled. Once the project passes final inspection, the Community Development office issues the Certificate of Occupancy.

Fire inspections are not sequential with Building Department inspections.

The Fire Marshal’s Office currently enforces the following codes and standards:

• 2024 Life Safety Code with State of Georgia Amendments
• 2018 International Fire Code with State of Georgia Amendments
• Applicable National Fire Protection Association standards and rules adopted by the State of Georgia

Types of fire inspections include:

• Site inspections — Conducted periodically to inspect fire department access routes and fire hydrant access and placement.
• New construction inspections — Conducted during construction or renovation projects for existing and new buildings.
• 80 percent inspections — Conducted before ceilings are installed to inspect fire-rated assemblies, plenum spaces, firestopping, and related systems. Approved plans and specifications, including fire sprinkler and fire alarm plans, must remain on site at all times.
• 100 percent inspections — Conducted after all work is completed and after all Building Department inspections have been finalized. All required documentation must be provided to the inspector.
• Sprinkler system 80 percent inspections — Conducted before ceiling installation to inspect piping, hangers, valves, and sprinkler head spacing.
• Sprinkler system 100 percent inspections — Conducted after installation and acceptance testing are complete and required documentation has been submitted.
• Annual inspections — Conducted for existing buildings and tenant spaces throughout Sandy Springs. Any code violations identified during the inspection are documented and provided to the business representative.
• Special, courtesy, or complaint inspections — Conducted when fire or life safety concerns are reported, including overcrowding, blocked exits, or compromised fire protection systems.
• Fixed suppression systems, fire alarms, and grease hood inspections — Conducted to verify compliance with applicable codes and standards. Required certification documentation may include:
  • Sprinkler installation or alteration documentation
  • Fire alarm certification
  • Commercial cooking hood documentation
  • Underground and above-ground piping documentation
  • Fixed fire suppression system documentation

To schedule a fire inspection, call the Fire Marshal’s Office New Construction Inspection Request Line at 770-206-4362.

Updated information:

• Turning Radius
• Weight Review Estimates
• Top 14 Plan Review Errors for Interior Projects