Fire Inspection Information
On July 1, 2016, Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code inspections will begin within the corporation limits of the Town of Abingdon for all commercial and public buildings. The purpose of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code is to provide for statewide standards to safeguard life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion arising from improper maintenance of life safety and fire prevention and protection materials, devices, systems and structures, and the unsafe storage, handling, and use of substances, materials and devices, including explosives and blasting agents. The Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code prescribes regulations affecting or relating to maintenance of structures, processes and premises and safeguards to be complied with for the protection of life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion and for the handling, storage and use of fireworks, explosives or blasting agents, and provides for the administration and enforcement of such regulations. The Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code also establishes regulations for obtaining permits for the manufacturing, storage, handling, use, or sales of explosives.
The fee schedule is available below or may be obtained from the Abingdon Fire Chief’s Office located at 316 Park Street, Abingdon, Virginia 24210
or by calling (276) 628-5563
or e-mailing to timestes@abingdon-va.gov
Inspection and Permit Fee Schedule
- The fire official is authorized to inspect all structures and premises annually for the purpose of ascertaining and causing to be corrected any conditions liable to cause fire, contribute to the spread of fire, interfere with firefighting operations, endanger life or property, or to determine any violations of the provisions or intent of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
- Violations of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code are a Class 1 Misdemeanor. If convicted, Class 1 Misdemeanors are punishable of up to a $2,500 fine and/or 12 months in jail.
- In accordance with Section 27-97 of the Code of Virginia, fees may be levied by the local governing body in order to defray the cost of enforcement and appeals under the Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
- The local governing body may establish a fee schedule. The schedule shall incorporate unit rates, which may be based on square footage, cubic footage, estimated cost of inspection or other appropriate criteria.
- A permit shall not be issued until the designated fees have been paid.
- The fire official may require notification prior to (i) activities involving the handling, storage or use of substances, materials or devices regulated by the Statewide Fire Prevention Code; (ii) conducting processes which produce conditions hazardous to life or property; or (iii) establishing a place of assembly.
- Each business has an identified business classification and is subject to an inspection within a range of every one to five years. Depending upon this business classification, or if there are identified fire and/or life safety hazards, the business may be inspected more frequently than others.
- Fire Code Inspection and Operational permits are required by the fire official in accordance with the following table. The initial inspection fee shall include the initial inspection and 1 re-inspection. Additional re-inspections for non-compliance with the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code will be an additional $50 per re-inspection/per-hour.
Inspection Information
| Section 1 – Detailed Operational Permit Requirements | |||||
| Code Reference | DESCRIPTION | PERMIT REQUIRED(yes or no) | PERMITFEE | INSPECTION FEE | |
| 1 | 5101.2 | Aerosol products. An operational permit is required to manufacture, store or handle an aggregate quantity of Level 2 or Level 3 aerosol products in excess of 500 pounds net weight. | Yes | $50.00 | Based on Use Group |
| 2 | 107.2 | Amusement Buildings. An operational permit is required to operate a special amusement building. | Yes | $50.00 | See square footage chart |
| 3 | 2001.3 | Aviation Facilities. An operational permit is required to use Group H or Group S occupancy for aircraft servicing or repair and aircraft fuel-servicing vehicles. Additional permits required by other sections of this code include, but are not limited to, hot work, hazardous materials and flammable or combustible finishes. | Yes | $50.00 | See square footage chart |
| 4 | 3103.4 | Carnivals and fairs. An operational permit is required to conduct a carnival or fair. | Yes | $50.00 | Based on the number of rides |
| 5 | 107.2 | Cellulose nitrate film. An operational permit is required to store, handle or use cellulose nitrate film in a Group A occupancy. | Yes | $50.00 | Based on Use Group | |||
| 6 | 2201.2 | Combustible dust-producing operations. An operational permit is required to operate a grain elevator, flour starch mill, feed mill, or plant pulverizing aluminum, coal, cocoa, magnesium, spices or sugar, or other operations producing combustible dusts as defined in Chapter 2. | Yes | $50.00 | See square footage chart | |||
| 7 | 5201.3 | Combustible fibers. An operational permit is required for the storage and handling of combustible fibers in quantities greater than 100 cubic feet.Exception: An operational permit is not required for agricultural storage. | Yes | $50.00 | See square footage chart | |||
| 8 | 5301.2 | Compressed gas. An operational permit is required for the storage, use, or handling at normal temperature and pressure (NTP) of compressed gases in excess of the amounts listed below.Exception: Vehicles equipped for and using compressed gas as a fuel for propelling the vehicle. PERMIT AMOUNTS FOR COMPRESSED GASES | Yes | $50.00 | Based on Use Group | |||
| TYPE OF GAS | AMOUNT (cubic feet at NTP) | |||||||
| Corrosive Flammable (except cryogenic fluids and liquefied petroleum gases) Highly toxic Inert and simple asphyxiant Oxidizing (including oxygen) Toxic | 200 200 Any Amount 6,000 504 Any Amount | |||||||
| 9 | 107.2 | Covered mall buildings. An operational permit is required for:1. The placement of retail fixtures and displays, concession equipment, displays of highly combustible goods and similar items in the mall.2. The display of liquid-fired or gas-fired equipment in the mall.3. The use of open-flame or flame-producing equipment in the mall. | Yes | $50.00 | See square footage chart | |||
| 10 | 5501.2 | Cryogenic fluids. An operational permit is required to produce, store, transport on site, use, handle, or dispense cryogenic fluids in excess of the amounts listed below.Exception: Operational permits are not required for vehicles equipped for and using cryogenic fluids as a fuel for propelling the vehicle or for refrigerating the lading. PERMIT AMOUNTS FOR CRYOGENIC GASES | Yes | $50.00 | Based on Use Group | |||
| TYPE OF CRYOGENIC FLUID Flammable Inert Oxidizing (includes oxygen) Physical or health hazard not indicated above | INSIDE BUILDING (gallons) More than 1 60 10 Any Amount | OUTSIDE BUILDING (gallons) 60 500 50 Any Amount | ||||||
| 11 | 3501.2 | Cutting and welding. An operational permit is required to conduct cutting or welding operations within the jurisdiction. | Yes | $50.00 | N/A | |||
| 12 | 2101.2 | Dry cleaning plants. An operational permit is required to engage in the business of dry cleaning or change to a more hazardous cleaning solvent used in existing dry cleaning equipment. | Yes | $50.00 | See square footage chart | |||
| 13 | 107.2 | Exhibits and trade shows. An operational permit is required to operate exhibits and trade shows. | Yes | $50.00 | Based on Use Group | |||
| 14 | 5601.2 | Explosives, fireworks and pyrotechnics. An operational permit is required for the manufacture, storage, handling, sale or use of any quantity of explosive, explosive materials, fireworks, pyrotechnic special effects, or pyrotechnic special effects material within the scope of Chapter 56.Exceptions:1. Storage in Group R-3 or R-5 occupancies of smokeless propellant, black powder and small arms primers for personal use, not for resale and in accordance with the quantity limitations and conditions set forth in Section 5601.1, exception numbers four and twelve.2. Permits shall not be required for storage of explosives or blasting agents by the Virginia State Police provided a listing of all storage locations within the Town of Abingdon is provided. | Yes | ||
| Storage of explosives and blasting agents | Yes | $150 per magazine per year | |||
| Use of explosives and blasting agents | Yes | $250 per site | |||
| Sell explosives and blasting agents | Yes | $200 per year | |||
| Manufacture explosives, blasting agents and fireworks | Yes | $250 per year | |||
| Indoor fireworks, pyrotechnics or proximate audience displays | Yes | $350 per eventa | |||
| Outdoor fireworks, pyrotechnics or proximate audience displays | Yes | $250 per eventa | |||
| 15 | 107.2 | Fire hydrants and valves. An operational permit is required to use or operate fire hydrants or valves intended for fire suppression purposes that are installed on water systems and accessible to a fire apparatus access road that is open to or generally used by the public.Exception: An operational permit is not required for authorized employees of the water company that supplies the system or the fire department to use or operate fire hydrants or valves. | NO | ||
| 16 | 5701.4 | Flammable and combustible liquids: An operational permit is required: | NO | ||
| 1. To use or operate a pipeline for the transportation within facilities of flammable or combustible liquids. This requirement shall not apply to the offsite transportation in pipelines regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOTn) nor does it apply to piping systems. | |||||
| 2. To store, handle or use Class I liquids in excess of 5 gallons in a building or in excess of 10 gallons outside of a building, except that a permit is not required for the following:2.1.The storage or use of Class I liquids in the fuel tank of a motor vehicle, aircraft, motorboat power plant or mobile heating plant, unless such storage, in the opinion of the fire official, would cause an unsafe condition.2.2.The storage or use of paints, oils, varnishes or similar flammable mixtures when such liquids are stored for maintenance, painting or similar purposes for a period of not more than 30 days. | YES | $50.00 | |||
| 3. To store, handle or use Class II or IIIA liquids in excess of 25 gallons in a building or in excess of 60 gallons outside a building, except for fuel oil used in connection with oil-burning equipment. | YES | $50.00 | |||
| 4. To remove Class I or Class II liquids from an underground storage tank used for fueling motor vehicles by any means other than the approved, stationary on-site pumps normally used for dispensing purposes. | YES | $50.00 | |||
| 5. To operate tank vehicles, equipment, tanks, plants, terminals, wells, fuel dispensing stations, refineries, distilleries and similar facilities where flammable and combustible liquids are produced, processed, transported, stored, dispensed or used. | YES | ||||
| 6. To install, alter, remove, abandon, place temporarily out of service (for more than 90 days) or otherwise dispose of an underground, protected above-ground or above-ground flammable or combustible liquid tank. | From Building Department | ||||
| 7. To change the type of contents stored in a flammable or combustible liquid to material that poses a greater hazard than that for which the tank was designed and constructed. | YES | $50.00 | |||
| 8. To manufacture, process, blend, or refine flammable or combustible liquids. | YES | $50.00 | See square footage chart | ||
| 17 | 107.2 | Floor finishing. An operational permit is required for floor finishing or surfacing operations exceeding 350 square feet using Class I or Class II liquids. | YES | $50.00 | N/A | |
| 18 | 2501.2 | Fruit and crop ripening. An operational permit is required to operate a fruit- or crop-ripening facility or conduct a fruit-ripening process using ethylene gas. | YES | $50.00 | N/A | |
| 19 | 2601.2 | Fumigation or thermal insecticidal fogging. An operational permit is required to operate a business of fumigation or thermal insecticidal fogging and to maintain a room, vault or chamber in which a toxic or flammable fumigant is used. | YES | $50.00 | N/A | |
| 20 | 5001.5 | Hazardous materials. An operational permit is required to store, transport on site, dispense, use or handle hazardous materials in excess of the amounts listed below. | YES | $50.00 | Based on Use Group | |
| PERMIT AMOUNTS FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS | YES | $50.00 | Based on Use Group | |||
| TYPE OF MATERIAL | AMOUNT | |||||
| Combustible liquids | See flammable and combustible liquids | |||||
| Corrosive materials | ||||||
| Gases | See compressed gases | |||||
| Liquids | 55 Gallons | |||||
| Solids | 1000 pounds | |||||
| Explosive materials | See explosives | |||||
| Flammable materials | ||||||
| Gases | See compressed gases | |||||
| Liquids | See flammable and combustible liquids | |||||
| Solids | 100 pounds | |||||
| Class 2 | 10 gallons | |||||
| Class 1 | 55 gallons | |||||
| Solids | ||||||
| Class 4 | Any amount | |||||
| Class 3 | 10 gallonsb | |||||
| Class 2 | 100 gallons | |||||
| Class 1 | 500 gallons | |||||
| Organic peroxides | ||||||
| Liquids | ||||||
| Class I | Any amount | |||||
| Class II | Any amount | |||||
| Class III | 1 gallon | |||||
| Class IV | 2 gallons | |||||
| Class V | No permit required | |||||
| Solids | ||||||
| Class I | Any amount | |||||
| Class II | Any amount | |||||
| Class III | 10 pounds | |||||
| Class IV | 20 pounds | |||||
| Class V | No permit required | |||||
| Pyrophoric materials | ||||||
| Gases | See compressed gases | |||||
| Liquids | Any amount | |||||
| Solids | Any amount | |||||
| Toxic materials | ||||||
| Gases | See compressed gases | |||||
| Liquids | 10 gallons | |||||
| Solids | 100 pounds | |||||
| Unstable (reactive) materials | ||||||
| Liquids | ||||||
| Class 4 | Any amount | |||||
| Class 3 | Any amount | |||||
| Class 2 | 5 gallons | |||||
| Class 1 | 10 gallons | |||||
| Solids | ||||||
| Class 4 | Any amount | |||||
| Class 3 | Any amount | |||||
| Class 2 | 50 gallons | |||||
| Class 1 | 100 gallons | |||||
| Water reactive materials | ||||||
| Class 3 | Any amount | |||||
| Class 2 | 5 gallons | |||||
| Class 1 | 55 gallons | |||||
| Solids | ||||||
| Class 3 | Any amount | |||||
| Class 2 | 50 pounds | |||||
| Class 1 | 500 pounds | |||||
| a. Twenty gallons when Table 5003.1.1(1) Note k applies and hazard identification signs in accordance with Section 5003.5 are provided for quantities of 20 gallons or less. b. Two hundred pounds when Table 5003.1.1(1) Note k applies and hazard identification signs in accordance with Section 5003.5 are provided for quantities of 200 pounds or less. | ||||||
| 21 | 2701.5 | HPM facilities. An operational permit is required to store, handle or use hazardous production materials. | YES | $50.00 | Based on Use Group |
| 22 | 3201.2 | High piled storage. An operational permit is required to use a building or portion thereof as a high-piled storage area exceeding 500 square feet. | YES | $50.00 | Based on Use Group |
| 23 | 3501.2 | Hot work operations. An operational permit is required for hot work including, but not limited to: 1. Public exhibitions and demonstrations where hot work is conducted.2. Use of portable hot work equipment inside a structure. Exception: Work that is conducted under a construction permit.3. Fixed-site hot work equipment such as welding booths.4. Hot work conducted within a hazardous fire area.5. Application of roof coverings with the use of an open-flame device.6. When approved, the fire official shall issue a permit to carry out a Hot Work Permit. This program allows approved personnel to regulate their facility’s hot work operations. The approved personnel shall be trained in the fire safety aspects denoted in this chapter and shall be responsible for issuing permits requiring compliance with the requirements found in this chapter. These permits shall be issued only to their employees or hot work operations under their supervision. | YES | $50.00 | N/A |
| 24 | 3001.2 | Industrial ovens. An operational permit is required for operation of industrial ovens regulated by Chapter 30. | YES | $50.00 | Based on Use Group |
| 25 | 2801.2 | Lumber yards and woodworking plants. An operational permit is required for the storage or processing of lumber exceeding 100,000 board feet (8,333 ft3). | YES | $50.00 | See square footage chart |
| 26 | 107.2 | Liquid-fueled or gas-fueled vehicles or equipment in assembly buildings. An operational permit is required to display, operate or demonstrate liquid-fueled or gas-fueled vehicles or equipment in assembly buildings. | YES | $50.00 | Based on Use Group |
| 27 | 6101.2 | LP-gas. An operational permit is required for: 1. Storage and use of LP-gas.Exception: An operational permit is not required for individual containers with a 500-gallon water capacity or less or multiple container systems having an aggregate quantity not exceeding 500 gallons, serving occupancies in Group R- 3. 2. Operation of cargo tankers that transport LP-gas. | YES | $50.00 | Based on Use Group |
| 28 | 5901.2 | Magnesium. An operational permit is required to melt, cast, heat treat or grind more than 10 pounds of magnesium. | YES | $50.00 | Based on Use Group |
| 29 | 107.2 | Miscellaneous combustible storage: An operational permit is required to store in any building or upon any premises in excess of 2,500 cubic feet gross volume of combustible empty packing cases, boxes, barrels or similar containers, rubber tires, rubber, cork or similar combustible material. | YES | $50.00 | Based on Use Group |
| 30 | 307.2 | Open burning. An operational permit is required for the kindling or maintaining of an open fire or a fire on any public street, alley, road, or other public or private ground. Instructions and stipulations of the permit shall be adhered to. Exception: Recreational fires. | YES | $50.00b | N/A |
| 31 | 308.2 | Open flames and candles. An operational permit is required to use open flames or candles in connection with assembly areas, dining areas of restaurants or drinking establishments. | YES | $50.00 | Based on Use Group |
| 32 | 308.2 | Open flames and torches. An operational permit is required to remove paint with a torch; or to use a torch or open-flame device in a wildfire risk area. | YES | $50.00 | N/A |
| 33 | 2901.2 | Organic coatings. An operational permit is required for any organic-coating manufacturing operation producing more than 1 gallon of an organic coating in one day. | YES | $50.00 | See square footage chart |
| 34 | 107.2 | Places of assembly. An operational permit is required to operate a place of assembly. | YES | $50.00 | See square footage chart | |||
| 35 | 107.2 | Private fire hydrants. An operational permit is required for the removal from service, use or operation of private fire hydrants. Exception: An operational permit is not required for private industry with trained maintenance personnel, private fire brigade or fire departments to maintain, test and use private hydrants. | YES | $50.00 | N/A | |||
| 36 | 107.2 | Pyrotechnic special effects material. An operational permit is required for use and handling of pyrotechnic special effects material. | Yes | $300 per eventa | ||||
| 37 | 6501.2 | Pyroxylin plastics. An operational permit is required for storage or handling of more than 25 pounds of cellulose nitrate (proxylin) plastics and for the assembly or manufacture of articles involving pyroxylin plastics. | YES | $50.00 | Based on Use Group | |||
| 38 | 107.2 | Refrigeration equipment. An operational permit is required to operate a mechanical refrigeration unit or system regulated by Chapter 6. | YES | $50.00 | Based on Use Group | |||
| 39 | 2301.2 | Repair garages and service stations. An operational permit is required for operation of repair garages and automotive, marine and fleet service stations. | YES | $50.00 | See square footage chart | |||
| 40 | 2001.3 | Rooftop heliports. An operational permit is required for the operation of a roof top heliport. | YES | $50.00 | N/A | |||
| 41 | 2401.3 | Spraying and dipping. An operational permit is required to conduct a spraying or dipping operation utilizing flammable or combustible liquids or the application of combustible powders regulated by Chapter 24. | YES | $50.00 | Based on Use Group | |||
| 42 | 3201.2 | Storage of scrap tires and tire byproducts. An operational permit is required to establish, conduct or maintain storage of scrap tires and tire byproducts that exceeds 2,500 cubic feet of total volume of scrap tires and for indoor storage of tires and tire byproducts. | YES | $50.00 | N/A | |||
| 43 | 3103.4 | Temporary membrane structures and tents. An operational permit is required to operate an air-supported temporary membrane structure or a tent. Exceptions: 1. Tents used exclusively for recreational camping purposes. 2.Tents and air-supported structures that cover an area of 900 square feet or less, including all connecting areas or spaces with a common means of egress or entrance and with an occupant load of 50 or less persons. | YES | $50.00 | See square footage chart | |||
| 44 | 3201.2 | Tire-rebuilding plants. An operational permit is required for the operation and maintenance of a tire-rebuilding plant. | YES | $50.00 | See square footage chart | |||
| 45 | 107.2 | Waste handling. An operational permit is required for the operation of wrecking yards, junk yards and waste material-handling facilities. | YES | $50.00 | See square footage chart | |||
| 46 | 2801.2 | Wood products. An operational permit is required to store ships, hogged material, lumber or plywood in excess of 200 cubic feet. | YES | $50.00 | See square footage chart | |||
| Section 2 – Plan Review Fees | ||||||||
| 47 | 404 | Fire safety and evacuation: Plan review. | NO | N/A | $50.00 per hour | |||
| 48 | 3201.2 | Fire safety and evacuation: Plan review for high-piled combustible storage areas in excess of 500 square feet. | NO | N/A | $50.00 per hour | |||
| 49 | 407 | Hazard communication: Hazardous material management plan review. | NO | N/A | $50.00 per hour | |||
| 50 | 5001.6 | Hazardous material facility closure: Plan review | NO | N/A | $50.00 per hour | |||
| 51 | 901.2 | Fire protection systems: Plan review. | NO | N/A | $50.00 per hour | |||
| 52 | 1004 | Occupant load: Plan review. | NO | N/A | $50.00 per hour | |||
| 53 | 403 | Special event-public safety: Plan review for indoor and outdoor assemblages (over 50 persons). | NO | N/A | $50.00 per hour | |||
| 54 | 6109 | Site installation: LP-gas cylinder exchange program. | YES | $50.00 | N/A | |||
| 55 | 403.10.1 | Covered mall annual lease: Plan review. | NO | N/A | $50.00 per hour | |||
| Section 3 – Inspection and Re-inspection Fees | ||||||||
| 56 | 202 | Assembly Group A (More than 50 occupants and/or more than 750 square feet) | See square footage chart | |||||
| 57 | 202 | Business Group B | See square footage chart | |||||
| 58 | 202 | Educational Group E | See square footage chart | |||||
| 59 | 202 | Factory Industrial Group F | See square footage chart | |||||
| 60 | 202 | High-hazard Group H | See square footage chart | |||||
| 61 | 202 | Institutional Group I – Assisted Living Facilities, Adult and Child Care Facilities (Based on Virginia Department of Social Services licensed capacity) | $50.00 for 1 to 10$75.00 for 11 to 30$100.00 for 31 to 60$125.00 for 61 to 90$150.00 for 91 to 120$175.00 for 121 to 150$200.00 for 151 to 200$250.00 for 201 or more | |||||
| 62 | 202 | Institutional Group I – Hospitals and Correctional Facilities (Based on the number of patient beds) | $50.00 for 1 to 10 beds$100.00 for 11 to 50 beds$150.00 for 51 to 100 beds$200.00 for 101 – 150 beds$250.00 for 151 – 200 beds$300.00 plus $50.00 for each additional 100 beds where the number exceeds 200 | |||||
| 63 | 202 | Mercantile Group M | See square footage chart | |||||
| 64 | 202 | Residential Group R – Hotels, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts, College Dormitories | $50.00 for 1 to 10 beds$75.00 for 11 to 50 beds$100.00 for 51 to 100 beds$125.00 for 101 – 150 beds$150.00 for 151 – 200 beds$175.00 plus $50.00 for each additional 100 beds where the number exceeds 200 | |||||
| 65 | 202 | Residential Group R – State Regulated Care Facilities (Based on Virginia Department of Social Services) | $25.00 | |||||
| 66 | 202 | Storage Group S | See square footage chart | |||||
| 67 | 202 | Miscellaneous Group U | See square footage chart | |||||
| 68 | 403 | Special events: Indoor or outdoor assemblages (over 50 persons) | See square footage chart | |||||
| 69 | 109.1 | Re-inspections: (Follow-up inspections when previously identified violation(s) are found not to be in compliance | $50.00 per re-inspection/per hour | |||||
| Note a – If an application is received less than 15 days prior to the planned event, the permit fee shall be $550.00. If an application is received less than seven days prior to the planned event, the permit fee shall be $650.00.Note b – If an application for an open burning permit is received less than 15 days prior to the planned event, the permit fee shall be $100.00. If an application for an open burning permit is received less than 7 days prior to the planned event, the permit fee shall be $150.00. | ||||||||
| SQUARE FOOTAGE CHART | ||||||||
| 0 – 999 Square Feet | $25.00 | 20,001 – 50,000 Square Feet | $225.00 | |||||
| 1,000 – 5,000 Square Feet | $75.00 | 50,001 – 100,000 Square Feet | $275.00 | |||||
| 5,001 – 10,000 Square Feet | $100.00 | 100,001 – 200,000 Square Feet | $325.00 | |||||
| 10,001 – 20,000 Square Feet | $125.00 | Greater than 200,001 Square Feet | $375.00 | |||||