A form is available for businesses to provide new and updated contact information for the Iowa City Fire Department. 

Please fill out the digital form and submit them for the department's records. This information will only be used by the Iowa City Fire Department.

All new buildings, with the exception of R3 and unsecured R2 occupancies, are required to utilize the Knox Box system. The ICFD encourages local businesses to utilize the Knox-Box® system to provide rapid entry after hours. This system is a secure rapid entry program specifically developed for fire departments. With one master key, ICFD can gain access to commercial and residential property throughout the community.  The ICFD uses strict guidelines to control the master keys.

Property owners in Iowa City may store entrance keys, access cards and floor plans in high-security Knox-Boxes® mounted near their building's entrances. Each Knox-Box® purchased by the property owner is keyed to a single master key controlled by the ICFD. With this system, there is no cost to the fire department, no waiting for a property owner to unlock the door in the middle of the night, and no forcing the door open to gain entry. The Knox Rapid Entry System reduces response time, property damage, and the liability for lost keys.

Contact the Fire Marshal's office at 319-356-5257 if you are interested in protecting your commercial property with a Knox-Box.

Knox-Box®
(This link is for information only, please do not order directly until there is contact made with the Fire Marshal.)

Unintentional False Fire Alarm Fees

The ordinance on Unintentional False Fire Alarms Fees can be found here, including fee schedule and penalties.

Fire Alarm Installer Requirements

Requirements for Fire Alarm Installers can be found at the ordinance below. 

• Licensing Ordinance (Title 17, Chapter 11)
• Licensed Fire Alarm Installers

Fire Lane Regulations

City Code regulating Fire Lanes, including penalties and enforcement, can be found here. 

Disclaimer: This checklist is intended for informational purposes only to assist a business owner/manager of a business. The checklist contains basic life safety items examined for a typical business inspection. The list is not exhaustive and the Iowa City Fire Department reserves the right to inspect for compliance with any applicable codes adopted by the City of Iowa City.

View the checklist below or download the checklist PDF.

Access & Premises

• Are address numbers for the building clearly visible from the street?
• Is exterior fire department access unobstructed?
• If applicable, does your Knox Box have current access keys?
• Is there maintained a minimum 3' clearance around fire hydrants?

Egress

• Are the exit ways and doors easily recognizable, unobstructed, and maintained functional?
• If the main exit door is provided with key-locking hardware as allowed by code, is there a sign above the door that states "This Door Must Remain Unlocked during Business Hours"?
• Are the other required exit doors readily opened from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort?
• Are the exits and exit enclosures free from the storage of combustible materials?
• Are doors with self-closing hinges (Fire Doors) maintained in the closed position (not blocked open)?

Electrical

• Are all electrical outlets, switches and junction boxes properly covered with cover plates and is the electrical system safe from any apparent shock and/or other electrical hazards?
• Is the area maintained clear at least 30" in front of electrical panel(s)?
• Are extension cords used only for temporary use?
• If multiple items need to be plugged in, is a surge protector utilized with a built-in circuit breaker and is the surge protector plugged directly into a receptacle?

Emergency Lighting

• If emergency lighting is provided, is it maintained in operable condition?
• Is the means of egress illuminated when the building or structure is occupied?

Exit Signs

• If exit signs are required, are they maintained illuminated or self-luminous?
• Does the backup-battery work (push the test button and the exit sign should illuminate under battery power)?

Fire Alarm System

• If the building is equipped with a fire alarm system, has the required annual functional test been performed and a record posted?

Fire Extinguishers

• Is there access to fire extinguisher(s) rated minimum 2A-10BC?
• Is the travel distance from all portions of the building less than 75-ft. to a fire extinguisher?
• Are all fire extinguishers visible and accessible (not blocked)?
• Have the fire extinguisher(s) been serviced and tagged by a fire extinguisher company within the last 12 months?
• Are the fire extinguisher(s) properly mounted? (Proper locations-near exit doors where possible, not exceeding maximum travel distance, properly mounted maximum 5-FT. high if greater than 40 lbs., maximum 3 ½’ high if less than 40 lbs. In all cases, minimum 4” above the floor).

Fire/Smoke Separations

• Are the fire/smoke separations (automatic smoke doors, fire doors, firewalls, etc.) maintained and in working condition?

Fire Suppression Systems

• Is the top of storage maintained a minimum 18” below head deflectors in fire-sprinklered areas?
• If the building is equipped with a fire sprinkler system, has the required annual service of the fire sprinkler system been performed in the last year by a qualified sprinkler company?
• In commercial cooking applications, has the hood suppression system been serviced in the last six months and is the hood cleaned at intervals to prevent the accumulation of grease?

Housekeeping

• Is combustible rubbish that is stored in containers outside of vaults or rooms removed from the building a minimum of once each working day?
• Are oily rags or similar materials stored in metal, metal-lined or other approved containers equipped with tight-fitting covers?
• Are combustible decorations flame retardant?

Mechanical Hazards

• Is the venting for exhaust products of combustion intact for gas appliances (like water heaters, furnaces, etc.)?
• Are safe clearances maintained between gas-fired appliances (such as water heaters, furnaces, etc.) and combustible materials?

Smoke Detection

• Where battery operated smoke detectors are used, have the batteries been replaced at least yearly?
• If smoke detection is required in common areas such as corridors and basements, have they been functionally tested in the last year?

Storage of Combustibles

• Is the storage of combustible materials orderly?
• Are combustible materials not stored beneath the building or structure?
• Are rubbish containers over 5 1/3 cubic feet (40 gallons) provided with lids and made of noncombustible construction?
• Are dumpsters that are 1.5 cubic yards or more not stored inside the building and placed more than 5’ from combustible walls, openings or combustible roof eave lines?

Storage of Compressed Gas

• If you have compressed gas containers (CO2, helium, etc.), are they chained to prevent falling?

Storage of Flammable & Combustible Liquids

• Are quantities in excess of 10 gallons of flammable and combustible liquids used for maintenance purposes and the operation of equipment stored in liquid storage cabinets or in red metal safety cans, which cannot be stored in an exit egress or basement?

Commercial Properties

Commercial properties are inspected every other year on a random basis. Some establishments are inspected annually, including healthcare and daycare facilities and bars. No advance notice is given.

Reinspection fee of $15

Common Inspection Issues

Bollards - Vehicle Impact Protection
Several code sections require vehicle impact protection.

• 2703.9.3 Hazardous Materials
• 3003.3.2 Compressed Gases
• 3403.6.4 Flammable and Combustible Liquids
• 3807.4 Liquefied Petroleum Gases
• 2206.4 Motor Fuel-Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages, aboveground tanks
• 2207.5.3 Motor Fuel-Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages, LP gas
• 2209.5.2 Motor Fuel-Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages, hydrogen

IFC Section 312 describes what is required of guard posts (bollards) used to provide vehicle impact protection.

1. Constructed of steel not less than 4 inches in diameter and concrete filled
2. Spaced not more than 4 feet between posts on center
3. Set not less than 3 feet deep in a concrete footing of not less than a 15 inch diameter
4. Set with the top of the posts not less than 3 feet above ground
5. Located not less than 3 feet from the protected object

Fire Department Connections – Sprinkler Systems and Standpipes

Fire sprinkler systems and standpipes are important fire protection features which are built-in to many buildings. In order for these systems to function as designed, the fire department must be able to pump water into the systems through what is called the Fire Department Connection (FDC). Unfortunately, these Fire Department Connections are often the target of vandals who remove the protective caps. Once the caps are removed the systems are often rendered useless due to debris inside the FDC.

Section 912.3.1 of the International Fire Code authorizes the fire department to require locking caps on Fire Department Connections. The Iowa City Fire Department has chosen the Knox Company brand of locking FDC caps as the approved cap for installation in Iowa City. All ICFD apparatus carries the special wrench needed to remove the caps.

The locking caps should be installed on new fire sprinkler systems and standpipes when the systems are installed and on existing systems when replacement caps are needed. These caps may be ordered online at knoxbox.com, or by contacting the Iowa City Fire Marshal at 319-356-5257.

Residential/Homeowner Properties

Inspections are performed by the Neighborhood and Development Services Department.

Fire Inspection System Installer and Maintenance Worker

Requirements for Fire Inspection System Installation and Maintenance can be found at the link listed below.

• Licensing Ordinance (Title 17, Chapter 11)
• Licensed Fire Sprinkler Installers