Fire Prevention Division

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Preventing fires is just as important as fighting them. At the Marion Fire Department, that philosophy is front and center within the Fire Prevention Division, which administers permits and inspections in regards to fire prevention. The personnel within the Prevention Division interact with local businesses, architects and contractors to ensure fire and life safety within the City of Marion and compliance with fire codes. This interaction encompasses commercial plans review, inspections, and fire investigations.

Plans Review

Plans review for new commercial construction, modifications to existing commercial buildings, new fire protection systems and modifications to existing fire protection systems is performed to ensure these facilities will meet fire codes, which protect the safety of all occupants, as well as meeting the access and water needs of fire suppression personnel. Once the plans are approved, the construction is allowed to begin, with inspections continuing throughout the construction phase by the Prevention Division. These inspections are conducted to verify that the approved plans were followed and all fire protection systems are installed properly and necessary function tests are performed. These inspections also ensure that there were no unapproved changes made during the process and that conditions inside the building remain safe during the construction period.

Once construction is complete, fire inspections continue on a recurring basis to help business owners identify potential fire hazards and life safety concerns and to ensure the building and any installed systems continue to meet fire and life safety codes. The Prevention Bureau is responsible for permitting and inspecting a variety of items, such as tank installations and removals, food trucks, sparkler sales, fireworks displays and pyrotechnics. It is this division’s responsibility to enforce the extensive codes included in the Iowa Fire Prevention Code in an effort to keep citizens, business owners, visitors, and emergency responders as safe as possible.

Commercial Inspections and Fees

The Fire Prevention Bureau conducts fire and life safety inspections in all commercial properties within the City limits on a recurring basis based on the type of occupancy. The inspection process is intended to assist property owners and occupants in preventing potential loss from fire and other safety risks by identifying and informing the occupants of what is needed to comply with the state mandated Iowa Fire Prevention Code.

Online Payment for Commercial Fire Inspection Invoices:

To pay Commercial Fire Inspection Invoices online, go to: BS&A Online to start your account or click here to make payment as a guest.

All payments may also be made in person at City Hall or mailed to the address below.

Marion Fire Department
100 Irish Drive
Marion, Iowa 52302
Ph. 319-377-8237

COMMERCIAL INSPECTION FEE SCHEDULE

The City of Marion has adopted Resolution No. 31457, which allows the Marion Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau to charge for fire inspections that are not in compliance by the second re-inspection. The original and first re-inspections are provided at no charge. If more than one re-inspection is required to comply with the codes that are enforced by this office, a non-cumulative fee will be charged as follows:

Inspection FeeS
Initial Inspection	No Charge	Including final inspection for new construction
First re-inspection	No Charge	Performed 30 days after the after the initial inspection. See Footnote 1&4
Second re-inspection	$100	Performed approximately 2 weeks after the first re-inspection. See Footnote 1&4
Third re-inspection	$200	Performed approximately 2 weeks after the second re-inspection. See Footnote 1&4
Fourth re-inspection	$400	Performed approximately 2 weeks after the third re-inspection. See Footnote 1&4
Fifth re-inspection	$800	Performed approximately 2 weeks after the fourth re-inspection. See Footnote 1&4
Sixth re-inspection		See Footnote 5

Footnotes:
1. Re-inspections will be scheduled on a date that has been agreed upon between the business owner or agent and the inspector.
2. If compliance is met, present fee shall be waived. The business owner or agent will be responsible for the previous re-inspection fee.
3. The Fire Chief may authorize a maximum fee of $50 per hour for inspections or re-inspections that are requested or required after office hours.
4. Any violation that is deemed to be a life safety hazard may proceed to a municipal infraction at anytime.
5. If no compliance is met on the sixth re-inspection, the file will be sent to the City Attorney's office to proceed with a municipal infraction.

If you have any questions concerning inspections and or the fee schedule, please feel free to contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 319-377-8237, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Fire Investigations

The Fire Prevention Bureau is responsible for the investigation of all fires and fire-related incidents within the department’s response area that have a suspicious or undetermined origin and cause, have a serious injury or death, or have a large dollar loss.

To determine fire origin and cause, an examination and excavation of the fire scene is conducted. The fire scene is documented by the investigator. If the fire is deemed to be arson, the division contacts the Iowa State Fire Marshal.

Understanding fire cause is vital to the safety of the community so that preventive measures may be strengthened and unlawful acts prosecuted.

If you have information about a fire, contact Division Chief of Prevention Shawn Fluharty at 319-377-8237. You may remain anonymous.

If you have information regarding an arson or explosive device incident anywhere in the state of Iowa, please call the Arson Hotline.

The Arson Hotline is offered for citizens to anonymously provide information that may be helpful in the resolution of suspected arson cases. The phone number is 1-800-532-1459.

Hose Specifications

Marion Fire Department Hose Thread Specifications

Forestry Line 1" Coupling

National Standard Thread
National Hose (NH) Style

1 1/2" Hose Coupling

1.99" Thread Diameter
9 Threads Per Inch
1.5" Inside Diameter
National Hose (NH) Style

2 1/2" Hose Coupling

3.078" Thread Diameter
6 Thread Per Inch
2.5" Inside Diameter
National Hose (NH) Style

4 1/2" Hose Coupling (Hydrant Steamer Coupling)

5.766" Thread Diameter
4 Threads Per Inch
4.5" Inside Diameter
National Standard Thread

Storz Coupling

5" Hose Size

False Alarms

Fire alarms activate accidentally for many different reasons. When they activate accidentally, they can become a nuisance, desensitize people to the alarms, and ultimately lead to a less effective warning system. They also tie up Fire Department resources, preventing them from responding to actual emergencies.

False alarms are billable to commercial customers. Billed amounts are reflected below:

Up to 2 False Alarms = No Charge
False Alarm 3 or 4 = $60
False Alarm 5 or 6 = $75
7 or more False Alarms = $100

Easy ways you can help prevent false alarms:

Keep your fire alarm and its system clean and maintained by a professional on an annual basis.
Notify your fire alarm company if you are testing or fixing your fire alarm system.
Know how to cancel a false fire alarm.
Have licensed professionals install and maintain your fire alarm properly.
Treat your system with care. Firefighters, ambulance personnel and police officers want to get to your emergency as fast as they can to provide you with the help you need.

Fire Code

The dedicated Fire Prevention Division, consisting of the Fire Marshal, one Fire Inspector and one part-time Public Education Coordinator, works hard to provide the most comprehensive fire prevention programs possible.

The Fire Prevention Division of the Marion Fire Department is responsible for ensuring the safety of the Marion community by preventing injuries, deaths and property damage while improving the quality of life for citizens.