Many of us go on with our days not knowing just how meticulous the permitting and inspecting process is for contractors and technicians. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which develops rules and standards, provides the fundamental instructions for conducting a successful fire safety inspection.
Fire inspection is crucial for building owners and occupants to comply with fire safety regulations and be informed of the most current fire safety standards. Being proactive regarding fire safety systems is also highly advised because it will shield you from any potential risks in the future. Fire inspections are typically carried out yearly, occasionally even on unscheduled occasions. Some fundamental codes must be followed to complete checks.
A significant factor in fire safety is Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). They play an essential role in the NFPA’s standards and guidelines as the final judge of whether fire protection measures will or won’t work for a structure.
Commonly known as AHJ, it helps ensure that the fire and life safety systems in your building are up to date and meet NFPA standards regarding your fire code and safety inspection services.
Most people don’t even know what “Authority Having Jurisdiction” is, let alone who their AHJ is. So let us find out what an AHJ is and how to deal with them!
Authority Having Jurisdiction definition
The definition of Authority Having Jurisdiction, as explained in the 2018 edition of NFPA 101: Life Safety Code is
4.6.1.1 The authority having jurisdiction shall determine whether the provisions of this Code are met.
4.6.1.2 Any requirements that are essential for the safety of building occupants and not explicitly provided for by this Code shall be determined by the authority having jurisdiction.
4.6.1.3 Where it is evident that a reasonable degree of safety is provided, any requirement shall be permitted to be modified if, in the judgment of the authority having jurisdiction, its application would be hazardous under normal occupancy conditions.
There isn’t just one AHJ or one AHJ office. No single AHJ is the same in its approach or requirements. Frequently, when a building permit is being checked for sign-off, an AHJ’s authority is left in the hands of a single inspector in the field who may demand specific actions to verify your electrical machinery’s safety based on their read of the situation.
An Authority Hhaving Jurisdiction is often found inside your city’s administrative framework. It may, however, also apply to a whole county, such as LA County, to US army installations, or even to the DOE (Department of Energy) itself in specific circumstances.
AHJ is tasked to enforce regulations in the fire protection industry. It conducts facility inspections to check the correct application of the NFPA 101 text and other model codes, standards, and legislation. The AHJ may amend them according to their judgment or local requirements and may enforce or impose additional requirements above those specified in a specific fire code.
Another definition of AHJ given by the NFPA is “an organization, office, or person responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or authorizing equipment, supplies, an installation, or a method.”
“Where public safety is primary, the AHJ may be a federal, state, local, or other regional department or individual such as fire chief; fire marshal; chief of a fire prevention bureau, labor department, or health department; building official; electrical inspector; or others having statutory authority. For insurance purposes, an insurance inspection department, rating bureau, or other insurance company representative may be the AHJ.”
This remark confirms that the AHJ is often much more than just one particular body. As a result, it is seen as a group of local government representatives. The AHJ may work for a state or federal body, but they can occasionally also come from the private sector.
How to determine Authority Having Jurisdiction
All NFPA standards define an AHJ as an organization, department, or person enforcing a code or standard’s requirements or approving equipment, supplies, an installation, or a method. An AHJ does not have to work for the government.
Any standard with requirements must have someone apply them, and someone else must check that they were correctly followed. The AHJ is in charge of ensuring that the conditions have been followed precisely.
A governing authority may impose standards through law.
For example, the NEC is a requirement in many states, counties, cities, and towns for all electrical installations. Before installation, the government often requires a permit, and an electrical inspector from the government will check to ensure the NEC is followed.
You can read more about what makes you an AHJ on the NFPA website, here.
What role does AHJ play in the Fire Protection Industry?
The entity in charge of upholding the NFPA’s norms and standards is the authority with the jurisdiction (AHJ) over your facility. AHJs, who are frequently fire marshals, differ in their amount of stern adherence to code and enforcement. It is crucial to work with a fire protection supplier familiar with the relevant laws, as many jurisdictions have codes that go above and beyond those established by the NFPA.
Despite some widespread misconceptions, fire marshals and other AHJs don’t just make up their own rules. Enforcing the laws and regulations that have been locally approved is one of their primary responsibilities. Once adopted, codes and standards created by the NFPA become the de facto “law” in that region. The owner, building occupants, first responders, and the community are protected by the restrictions, limits, or alterations to your facility that the AHJ has noted.
Usually, the plan review procedure involves the AHJ. This procedure aids in making sure that the building and its associated systems adhere to the accepted code or standard, giving the building owner the peace of mind that they are purchasing a facility that complies with the law.
Tips you need as a fire protection professional to work efficiently with the AHJ
The entity in charge of upholding the NFPA’s norms and standards is the authority with the jurisdiction (AHJ) over your facility. AHJs, who are frequently fire marshals, differ in their amount of stern adherence to code and enforcement. It is crucial to work with a fire protection supplier familiar with the relevant laws, as many jurisdictions have codes that go above and beyond those established by the NFPA.
Despite some widespread misconceptions, fire marshals and other AHJs don’t just make up their own rules. Enforcing the laws and regulations that have been locally approved is one of their primary responsibilities. Once adopted, codes and standards created by the NFPA become the de facto “law” in that region. The owner, building occupants, first responders, and the community are protected by the restrictions, limits, or alterations to your facility that the AHJ has noted.
Usually, the plan review procedure involves the AHJ. This procedure aids in making sure that the building and its associated systems adhere to the accepted code or standard, giving the building owner the peace of mind that they are purchasing a facility that complies with the law.
- Make an appointment before visiting the AHJ.
Recognize that the AHJ holds meetings and inspections according to a schedule. Plan your calls per the AHJ’s regular phone and office hours by finding out. - Don’t submit applications, plans, calculations, or specifications that are insufficient, inept, careless, illegible, or challenging to grasp.
By doing this, you create a wrong initial impression, raise doubts about your competence, and invite investigation of your particular plan. They won’t be able to approve it if they can’t understand it. Obtain a peer review if you require assistance. - Include customers in the permitting procedure.
The client, who is typically the official applicant for permissions, must be aware of all permits’ difficulties and ongoing obligations. - Understand the NFPA regulations well.
It can be challenging to understand how American codes and standards are developed. Since there is no federal government law, unlike in many other nations, your AHJ needs may vary depending on your building. Depending on the code editions your jurisdiction has embraced, the regulations your AHJ is hired to enforce may change. It’s crucial to understand that once a code is accepted by jurisdiction, it effectively becomes the law of that jurisdiction. - Know what is needed by AHJ.
It is essential to understand that your authority having jurisdiction could very well be numerous distinct individuals, offices, or other municipalities given power. The regulations your AHJ is tasked with enforcing are determined mainly by the type of structure or property. Their primary goal is to analyze the overall state of your property’s fire, life, and electric safety performance and affirm or request that it fulfills those current requirements. - Don’t hold the AHJ responsible for code requirements.
The AHJ’s only authority is to enforce the code. He wields relatively little authority. Only if the AHJ abuses his power do you have cause to blame him, and even then, you should be able to appeal. If you disagree with the code, you can submit proposed code revisions through the code-defined system. - All meetings and agreements should be documented in writing.
Distribute comprehensive minutes, notes, and letters to all parties involved. Include all names, dates, choices, timelines, assumptions, actions, and relevant data. The written word has tremendous power.
NFPA Official Definitions
3.2.1* Approved. Acceptable to the AHJ.
3.2.2* Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). An organization, office, or individual
responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment,
materials, an installation, or a procedure.
3.2.3* Code. A standard that is an extensive compilation of provisions covering broad subject
matter or that is suitable for adoption into law independently of other codes and standards.
3.2.4 Guide. A document that is advisory or informative in nature and that contains only
nonmandatory provisions. A guide may contain mandatory statements such as when a guide can
be used, but the document as a whole is not suitable for adoption into law.
3.2.5 Labeled. Equipment or materials to which has been attached a label, symbol, or other
identifying mark of an organization that is acceptable to the AHJ and concerned with product
evaluation, that maintains periodic inspection of production of labeled equipment or materials,
and by whose labeling the manufacturer indicates compliance with appropriate standards or
performance in a specified manner.
3.2.6* Listed. Equipment, materials, or services included in a list published by an organization
that is acceptable to the AHJ and concerned with the evaluation of products or services, that
maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials or periodic
evaluation of services, and whose listing states that either the equipment, material, or service
meets appropriate designated standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified
Purpose.
3.2.7 Recommended Practice. A document that is similar in content and structure to a code or
standard but that contains only nonmandatory provisions using the word “should” to indicate
recommendations in the body of the text.
3.2.8 Shall. Indicates a mandatory requirement.
3.2.9 Should. Indicates a recommendation or that which is advised but not required.
3.2.10 Standard. A document, the main text of which contains only mandatory provisions
using the word “shall” to indicate requirements and which is in a form generally suitable for
mandatory reference by another standard or code or for adoption into law. Nonmandatory
provisions shall be located in an appendix or annex, footnote, or fine-print note and are not to be
considered a part of the requirements of a standard.
