How to Overcome Fire Marshal Hurdles When Starting Your Assisted Living Facility

Welcome back to Assisted Living Investing! I'm Brett Chotkevys, owner and operator of Platinum Resort Assisted Living and Memory Care in Georgetown, Texas. Through investing in assisted living properties, I've built a prosperous life for my family and achieved financial freedom. Today, I want to share how you can begin your journey into the assisted living industry, whether it's your first facility or your tenth.

In this series, we’ve covered key steps, including market research, engaging with city planning, and the building department. Now, we're diving into a critical topic: navigating fire marshal regulations. After addressing zoning and planning, the fire marshal is often the biggest hurdle in getting your assisted living project off the ground. In fact, they hold significant power to block your deal, so understanding their role and requirements is essential.

Why the Fire Marshal Matters in Assisted Living Development
The fire marshal plays a pivotal role in determining whether your project can proceed. Without approval, you risk wasting months and hundreds of thousands of dollars, only to find out your property isn't viable due to fire safety concerns. Before you make any offers on land or properties, ensure you’ve spoken with the fire marshal and asked the right questions. This will save you time, money, and avoid potential deal-killers.

Step 1: Identify the Correct Fire Marshal
In larger cities, it’s usually straightforward—you’ll need to contact the city fire marshal. However, in rural or unincorporated areas, things can get tricky. In my case, although I’m outside the city limits, the county outsources fire services to the city fire marshal. This is a common scenario where jurisdictional confusion arises. It's crucial to confirm who is responsible for fire inspections in your area to avoid delays and misunderstandings.

Step 2: Determine the Necessary Permits
Once you've identified the fire marshal, your next step is understanding what permits are required. Whether you’re building a new facility or converting an existing property, you’ll need multiple fire-related permits. Here's a quick checklist of common permits:
Building Plans for Egress – Ensure compliance with egress standards, including emergency lighting, hallway widths, and door placement.
Fire Sprinkler System Permit – Required for fire safety; residential or full NFPA 13 systems may apply depending on your project.
Fire Alarm Permit – You’ll need a separate permit to install a compliant fire alarm system.
Underground Water Supply Permit – Covers the installation of pipes from the city’s water supply to your facility’s fire suppression system.
Be aware that these permits may differ based on the scope of your project. Consulting with the fire marshal early on will help you understand what’s required for your specific build.

Step 3: Ask About Potential Deal Killers
Some fire safety requirements can make or break a deal, so it’s essential to ask the fire marshal about potential obstacles upfront. Here are some critical deal-killers to watch out for:
Fire Sprinklers: If you're converting an existing home into an assisted living facility, adding sprinklers is almost always mandatory. A full NFPA 13 system, which uses steel piping, can be significantly more expensive than residential systems. For existing homes, there may not be enough water pressure or space to install a full system, which can derail your project.
Fire Hydrants: The distance between your property and the nearest fire hydrant is crucial. If there isn’t one within 500 feet, you might be required to install one or create an alternative solution, which can be costly.
Engine Parking: Fire engines need sufficient space to access and park near your property during emergencies. If your property is in a cul-de-sac or has a narrow driveway, it may be a deal-breaker. The fire marshal will check if there’s adequate space for a fire engine to maneuver and exit.
Egress: Ensure your building has enough doors and windows that meet current egress codes. Older homes may need significant updates to comply with fire safety regulations.
Fire Department Connection (FDC): Some buildings may need an FDC for the fire department to connect its equipment to your fire suppression system. Determine if you’ll need a separate riser room and whether it must be inside or outside the building.

Step 4: Plan for Additional Fire Safety Measures
Once the big hurdles are cleared, don’t forget about smaller but equally important fire safety measures that will impact your bottom line:
Fire Alarms: What type of alarm system is required for your facility?
Fire Extinguishers: How many fire extinguishers are needed, and where should they be placed?
Signage and Knox Boxes: Do you need specialized signage or a Knox box to store keys for emergency responders?

These are just a few of the many details you’ll need to address to ensure compliance and secure approval for your assisted living facility.

Take Charge of Your Project
As the entrepreneur behind your assisted living project, it’s crucial that you personally engage with the fire marshal and understand these regulations. Don’t leave this task entirely to your builder, as your financial success hinges on getting this right. Understanding fire safety requirements will help you avoid costly mistakes and move forward with confidence.

Access Your Free Fire Safety Resources
​To make things easier, I’ve created a Fire Suppression Cheat Sheet that breaks down the NFPA 13 code, along with a comprehensive Due Diligence Checklist for assisted living projects. You can download these resources by visiting our free training page. These tools will guide you through the fire marshal process and ensure you’re well-prepared to handle fire safety requirements.