Championing the AHJ: A Thank You to Fire Marshals

When many people hear the words “fire marshal” or “fire inspection,” the reaction is often a deep sigh or a nervous cringe. There’s an assumption that someone is coming to write citations, issue fines, or shut a building down.

But that’s not the reality.

Fire marshals and other Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) aren’t showing up to make your life harder—they’re there to make sure everyone inside a building goes home safely at the end of the day. Their role is prevention, education, and accountability, and most of what they identify during inspections are correctable issues, not punishments.

As a fire alarm professional, I see firsthand that many “failures” during inspections are small, fixable items—often things building owners didn’t even realize were a problem. This article is meant to thank fire marshals for the work they do and shed some light on the most common issues they encounter, so fewer inspections feel stressful and more feel productive.

Top 10 Items Fire Marshals Commonly Flag During Inspections

1. Fire Alarm System Not in Normal Condition

One of the most frequent findings is a system showing trouble, supervisory, or disabled conditions.
These alerts don’t always mean the system has failed—it often means a device was removed, a circuit was disturbed, or monitoring was interrupted. Fire marshals flag this because a system that isn’t “normal” may not perform as intended in an emergency.

2. Missing or Outdated Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Records

Fire alarm systems must be inspected and tested annually, and documentation needs to be available on-site.
A system may be working perfectly, but without records, there’s no proof it’s being properly maintained. This is typically a paperwork fix, not a system overhaul.

3. Blocked or Obstructed Notification Appliances

Horns, strobes, and pull stations are sometimes blocked by decorations, furniture, storage, or signage.
Fire marshals aren’t nitpicking—they need to ensure alarms can be heard, seen, and accessed quickly when seconds matter.

4. Devices Painted Over or Physically Damaged

Painted smoke detectors and damaged pull stations are surprisingly common. Even light paint can interfere with a device’s operation.
Most of the time, this happens during renovations, not negligence—and the fix is usually straightforward.

5. Fire Alarm Panel Accessibility

Panels must be accessible and clearly labeled. If a panel is blocked by storage or locked without proper access, responders lose valuable time during an emergency.
This is about response speed, not aesthetics.

6. Improperly Maintained Smoke Detectors

Dust, debris, or environmental conditions can affect detector performance. Fire marshals look for detectors that appear neglected or are installed in improper locations.
This is often addressed through cleaning, relocation, or replacement, not fines.

7. Disabled or Unlabeled Circuits

Sometimes parts of a system are intentionally disabled during construction or repairs—and never re-enabled.
Fire marshals will flag this because partial protection is still a risk, even if the rest of the system is operational.

8. Emergency Communication Issues

In facilities with voice evacuation or emergency communication systems, clarity matters.
If messages are unclear, inaudible, or incorrect, fire marshals will note it—not to penalize, but to ensure occupants receive clear instructions during emergencies.

9. Monitoring or Signal Transmission Problems

If a fire alarm system isn’t properly communicating with the monitoring station, emergency services may not be notified when needed.
This is usually resolved with a monitoring update or communication repair, not enforcement action.

10. Changes to the Building Without System Updates

Renovations, tenant changes, or space reconfigurations often require fire alarm updates.
Fire marshals flag these because systems must match how a building is currently used, not how it was designed years ago.

Most Findings Are Not Fines—They’re Fixes

One of the biggest misconceptions about fire inspections is that every issue results in a citation or fine. In reality, most findings are reminders—alerts that something small needs attention before it becomes a bigger problem.

Fire marshals understand that buildings are dynamic. Things change. Systems age. People move in furniture. Wires get bumped. Their goal isn’t punishment—it’s preparedness.

A Thank You to Fire Marshals

Fire marshals walk into buildings every day knowing they may not be welcomed—but they do it anyway. They ask hard questions, point out uncomfortable truths, and advocate for safety even when it’s inconvenient.

From those of us who design, install, service, and maintain fire alarm systems:
Thank you for what you do.
Thank you for protecting lives, educating owners, and holding the line on life safety.

When a fire system works, most people never notice.
When it doesn’t, fire marshals are the reason problems are caught before tragedy strikes.