Fire Marshals Division Last updated or reviewed on October 30, 2023 A person working within the Fire Marshal’s Office is no longer someone who just attempts to prevent fires. What was once made up of former firefighters who provided only fire prevention inspections in the city’s business areas has now become a complex division, which provides many aspects of emergency and non-emergency services. To meet today’s standards, our personnel must be trained in many fields and must be proficient in many areas of technical expertise and customer service. Over the years we have become responsible for providing more diverse services. These different levels of service were dictated by the rapid growth in our business community and the cost-effective use of limited city resources. Fire Marshal Kelly Hinz 828-259-5640 khinz@ashevillenc.gov Click here to request an AFD Incident Report. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Inspections Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Vacant Commercial Premises. For questions regarding new construction, please visit Development Services. Open Burning Open burning is not allowed in the City of Asheville. It is only granted when specifically permitted by the WNC Regional Air Quality Agency. Recreational fires are exempt from a permit, if in compliance with section 307.3.2 and 307.4 of the NC Fire Code. A recreational fire cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter or 2 feet in height and must not contain rubbish, trash, or building materials. The fire must be constantly attended and have a 4-A fire extinguisher, water hose, or other fire extinguishing material available for immediate use. Recreational fires must be a least 25 feet away from structures or combustible materials. Debris burning is the number one cause of wildfires in North Carolina and trash burning is illegal within the Asheville city limits. The Asheville Fire Department urges citizens to be extremely careful if they choose to use outdoor grills or recreational fires. Periodic Fire Code Inspections are required by the NC State Fire Code section 106 “In order to preserve and to protect public health and safety, and to satisfy the requirements of General Statute General Statute 160A-424, political subdivisions assuming inspection duties, as set out in General Statute 160A-411, shall have a periodic inspection schedule for the purpose of identifying activities and conditions in buildings, structures, and premises that pose dangers of fire, explosion, or related hazards.” These fire inspections are required for all premises, except one and two family dwellings, and are scheduled based on your type of occupancy as defined by the State Fire Code. The examples below illustrate the minimum frequency rate of inspections; however, it is not an all inclusive list. As of July 1, 2019, there is a 5% Technology Fee added to all Fire Inspection Fees As of July 1, 2021 we are using a billing and payment company called Fire Recovery and therefore payments should now be sent to: ASHEVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT P.O. BOX 935667 ATLANTA, GA 31193-5667 1 Year Inspections – FAQ Assembly – Restaurants, clubs, gyms, and places of entertainment, etc. Hazardous – Hazardous materials, flammable liquids and explosives facilities, etc. Institutional – Hospital, nursing homes, licensed care facilities, jails, etc. Residential – Apartments, hotels, motels, dormitories, etc. High-Rise Buildings – all use types. Foster Home Inspections call 828-259-5846 2 Year Inspections – FAQ Factory-Industrial Facilities – manufacturing and assembly plants, etc. Educational Facilities – Private schools, except public schools are inspected every six months. 3 Year Inspections – FAQ Assembly –with an occupant load less than 100 Businesses – Banks, barber and beauty shops, gas stations and self-service, educational occupancies above the 12th grade, print shops, professional service offices (architects, attorneys, dentists, physicians, engineers), etc. Mercantile- Department stores, drug stores, markets, retail or wholesale stores, etc. Storage Facilities – Warehouses, garages, hangers Churches and Synagogues Miscellaneous – Tanks, silos, greenhouses, etc Details of all Fire and Rescue Department Fees and Charges Important information on our Citation Program that addresses when civil fines may be issued for fire code violations. You may view and print a Fire Code Appeal Form. Click to pay a Parking Citation Online (fire lane or fire hydrant). For more information regarding permits, visit Development Services.
