The Role of AHJs in Building Compliance—What You Must Know

May 5, 2025
9 Min Read

Key takeaways

AHJ includes various officials like building inspectors, fire marshals & departments.
Fire marshals are AHJs, but not all AHJs are fire marshals.
Code enforcement varies by region & building type.
Early & honest communication with AHJs builds trust.
Regular updates, documentation & preparation ensure smoother inspections.

As defined by NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is an organization, office, or individual who is responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, installation, or a procedure. The most confusing part is that AHJ is not one person or one organization. AHJ covers a large number of entities that include fire marshals, building inspectors, electrical inspectors, labor and health departments, etc., and they can work for federal and state agencies. And the definition of an AHJ for a particular situation depends on various factors such as occupancy type, the nature of work that is being performed, and the regulatory requirements.

In the fire industry, everything related to fire protection links back to the AHJ. Most of the time, an AHJ in the fire industry is a fire marshal. Whether you want to hire a fire safety contractor or replace a simple sprinkler head in your building, fire marshals have the authority to approve or disapprove the design, installation, and maintenance of fire safety systems and other related matters. They also ensure that the fire safety system of a particular building is functioning properly and is compliant with the updated fire codes and regulations.

There are many people who don’t understand the concept of AHJ and often assume that AHJ is their local fire marshal, which is partially correct, but there’s more to it. There can be contractual AHJs that often have groups such as compliance companies and property owners.

In this article, we are going to talk about what an AHJ actually is, how it differs from a fire marshal, how to understand the code enforced by an AHJ, and a few tips to deal with your local fire marshal.

How an AHJ Differs From a Fire Marshal

All Fire Marshals are AHJs, but not all AHJs are Fire Marshals.

The government appoints a fire marshal within a city, county, or state. Here are simple definitions of city, county, and state fire marshals:

City Fire Marshal

City fire marshals inspect commercial buildings for code compliance, review and approve building plans for new construction or new renovations related to fire protection systems, sprinkler systems, and emergency exits, and collaborate with the fire department on emergency preparedness.

County Fire Marshal

County fire marshals are similar to city ones, but they work on a larger geographical scale. And provide fire prevention services to rural and suburban areas that may not have a dedicated city fire department. They supervise and coordinate with the local fire department and are often involved in wildfire prevention in fire-prone counties.

State Fire Marshal

State fire marshals oversee and license fire protection contractors, sprinkler system installers, and fire inspectors. They also provide training and certification for local fire marshals, run statewide fire prevention campaigns and educational initiatives, and manage data collection and reporting related to fire incidents and fire losses throughout the state.

As discussed earlier, an AHJ covers a large number of entities, such as building departments, electrical inspectors, labor and health administration, etc. They have several responsibilities, such as reviewing construction plans and issuing permits, conducting inspections, enforcing codes and regulations, and issuing citations and fines. But one of the common AHJs is the fire marshal.

The NFPA 701 annex defines AHJ as “where public safety is primary, the AHJ may be a federal, state, local, or other regional department or individual such as a 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.”

How To Understand The Codes Enforced By AHJ

To understand the codes enforced by AHJ, you need to understand what kind of building or facility is being regulated, what kind of AHJ you are dealing with, and what codes apply based on the region and project scope.

In the United States, code development is largely driven by the private sector, like NFPA, unlike other countries, where the government directly writes the fire codes. The process of code development mostly aligns with the principles of ANSI (American National Standards Institute). This way, the process is balanced, open to the public, responsive, and transparent. The codes are not only written by officials but co-created by a balanced group of stakeholders that includes AHJs who enforce the code, the building owners who pay for construction, engineers, architects, contractors, and insurers.

Even though NFPA updates codes every 3 years, state and local governments do not adopt the updated version right away. Some regions might still enforce NFPA 72 from 2019, while others might use 2025, so it is important to know which edition of codes is enforced where you are working. Because even if a state adopts a new version, Home Rule may allow cities and counties to enforce a different version.

After a code version is adopted, the AHJ is the organization or individual responsible for enforcing regulations, and the building owner must comply with them. That’s why AHJ is the first person you should talk to for a better understanding of the codes that apply to your project or building. Not only will they clarify your doubts, but you will also build a positive relationship with them, which helps you navigate through the inspections smoothly.

Top Tips To Deal With Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)

When it comes to the fire industry, the fire marshal is the most common AHJ. They make sure that the fire and life safety systems in your facility are properly installed and maintained to protect the building occupants. Your system must comply with the building and fire codes, such as IBC, OSHA, and NFPA, and local regulations; otherwise, they will impose fines for non-compliance and even order fire watches to maintain safety.

Although the initial installation of the safety system is overseen by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), and subsequent facility installation is overseen by the facility’s AHJ, it is ultimately your responsibility to maintain the safety of your workplace.

Here are the top tips that will help you deal with your local AHJ smoothly:

Engage and Communicate as Early as Possible

Communicate with your local fire marshal in the initial stage of project planning. Discuss plans and specific requirements for the particular project. This shows that you are dedicated to compliance and helps you to identify the potential issues that might become a problem in the later stages.

Build a Positive Relationship

Instead of thinking twice about whether to engage with your AHJ or not, understand that their primary goal is to protect lives and property from fire hazards by verifying compliance. So view them as your partner and build a positive relationship by engaging in honest interactions with them. Give them accurate information on the current condition of the fire safety system of your building, and let them make informed decisions.

Thorough Documentation

Always have a detailed record of all the previous inspections and the corrective actions taken in case of deficiencies. It shows that you are committed to compliance and also helps you navigate through future inspections smoothly.

Stay Informed on the Current Codes and Standards

As mentioned earlier, the codes and standards enforced on your building depend on the region and local regulations. So, review the updates to fire codes and standards applicable to your building regularly. It helps you maintain compliance and be prepared for even unscheduled inspections.

Always Be Prepared For Inspection

Use NFPA-compliant checklists and forms to make sure that your fire safety systems are in compliance with the safety standards, and do a last-minute walk-through to make sure everything is functioning properly and the documentation is up to date to avoid any code violations.

Conclusion

Understanding the complex web of Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) can be quite confusing. An AHJ is more than a local marshal; it can be building departments, health departments, and even insurance companies. However, the right AHJ depends on the type of occupancy, region, and the scope of your project. The most common AHJ is the fire marshal, and their primary goal is to make sure your fire protection system is in compliance with the fire codes and standards.

If you understand who your local AHJ is, what codes they enforce, and build a strong relationship with them, then there are lower chances of facing code violations. Always maintain transparency and keep thorough documentation of everything to make sure that your inspections are smooth.

However, keeping track of inspections, evolving codes, and documentation while maintaining other business operations can be quite overwhelming. ZenFire helps you centralize documentation, prepare for inspections, and stay compliant with the latest codes with our digital solution powered by AI.

Schedule a free demo with us today, and let us handle your fire code compliance while you focus on what matters most!