The Fire Marshal's Office is responsible for three main areas of fire prevention: fire prevention inspections and enforcement of the fire code, fire and explosive investigations, and investigations of hazardous materials and environmental crimes.

Fire marshals are also responsible for the enforcement of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code as adopted and amended by the City of Alexandria. Staff routinely inspect existing properties for fire prevention and overall code compliance, as well as providing information to owners and occupants for achieving code compliance. Fire marshals inspect all commercial properties and any occupancy that requires operational permits for use such as places of assembly and educational use, hospitals, nursing homes, commercial day care facilities, and occupancies that store, use or manufacture hazardous materials. Fire marshals also respond to complaints of any fire safety issues or the improper storage of hazardous materials.

The Fire Marshal's Office investigates fire and explosive incidents to determine the origin and cause of the event. The data collected during an investigation is of great significance because it can expose a serious crime such as arson. It also provides valuable statistics on fire trends and information essential in developing programs to reduce fire risk in the future.

Fire investigators are responsible for investigating the origin and cause of all fires and explosions within the City of Alexandria. They also investigate fire-related deaths, burn injuries, suspected explosive devices, and associated threats to bomb or burn. All fire investigators are sworn law enforcement officers in the Commonwealth of Virginia that have undergone extensive training in fire and explosive investigations, forensic science, evidence collection and other area of law enforcement training.

Fire marshals investigate the unlawful release of hazardous materials, spills, and conducts fire code inspections of facilities using and storing hazardous materials. Fire marshals investigate environmental related offences such as instances of illegal dumping of hazardous waste, tires and other related materials and coordinates information with other City agencies about hazardous and industrial-related uses within the City of Alexandria. Fire marshals assigned to conduct environmental investigations are fully sworn law enforcement officers and receive extensive and specific training on hazardous materials and other environmental related offenses.

What are hazardous materials?

Hazardous materials are substances or materials, in any form or quantity, which pose unreasonable risk to safety, health or property when released from their container. Some hazardous materials are more common than others and many can be found within household environments. Many of these products are used on a daily basis without any incident, but can cause problems if not properly handled or disposed. 

 Examples of common hazardous materials include:

• Fuel and other petroleum products (gasoline, diesel fuel, transmission fluid, motor oil, brake fluid, kerosene)
• Propane
• Butane, ethanol, methane (natural gas)
• Explosives
• Solvents, paint thinners and strippers, varnish
• Strong cleaning agents (drain cleaners, metal cleaners, brush and paint cleaning agents)

Proper disposal of hazardous materials

Note - It is unlawful to release any hazardous substance or chemical into any storm drain or sewer within the City of Alexandria, including: automotive fluids (oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline or other motor fuels); paint, paint thinner, varnish, solvents and any hazardous cleaning chemicals.

• Many hazardous materials can be recycled through the City of Alexandria Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Collection Center. Visit the webpage for a list of acceptable and unacceptable items and the center's regular hours of operations.

Fire Prevention Inspections are conducted daily. Annual fire prevention permit inspections, complaint inspections and proactive inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code and related City Codes.

Fire marshals respond to complaints and violations of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code such as overcrowding of assembly occupancies, unlawful change of occupancy, improper storage of or disposal of hazardous materials, tampering or unlawful use of fire protection systems, unlawful storage and use of fireworks and other fire-related hazards that may potentially cause injuries to people or damage to property. Fire Marshals also inspect residential daycare locations throughout the City.

Fire Prevention Permit (FPP) Program

Certain occupancies may be required to obtain a fire prevention permit based on their use or storage of regulated materials. Fire prevention permits are required by Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code as amended by the City of Alexandria.  Annual inspections are conducted in properties that store or use hazardous materials or conduct hazardous processes such as welding, auto repair and processes involving the use of flammable or combustible liquids and gases. Additionally, the program includes annual inspections of all assembly and educational occupancies within the City to include restaurants, schools, churches, hotels and day care facilities. Permits are issued annually as part of the inspection process. Fire prevention permits are also issued for certain temporary or special events.

FPP Application

Fire Prevention Permit Fees (effective as of July 1, 2018)

Examples of businesses or use of materials that typically require a Fire Prevention Permit:

• Places of assembly and educational use (restaurants, nightclubs, churches, theaters)
• Service Station, Repair Garage, Auto Body Shops
• Flammable and combustible liquids storage and use
• Fuel dispensing
• Food trucks and mobile food vendors
• Cutting and welding, hot work, use or torch or open flame device
• Propane storage and use
• Compressed gases
• Explosives
• Corrosive materials
• Aerosols
• Toxic materials

If you are planning a special event or are an event coordinator, please take the time to read this policy. The policy gives guidelines and requirements for items such as tents, open flame and propane cooking devices, carnivals and fairs, outdoor assembly events, amusement devices and other issues associated with many typical events, as well as some general fire safety requirements.

• Special Event Permits