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1. Our facility was recently inspected by our local fire department and they are requiring additional safeguards? Do we have to comply?

Local jurisdictions may impose greater requirements than those set by the Office of the Fire Marshal, however, they can not approve less than what is required. The facility owners and operators are responsible for insuring state and local requirements are met.

2. What is required for new facilities or facilities that need to have their license amended?

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) requires Office of the Fire Marshal approval for many things, including the licensing of new facilities, amendments to existing facilities, and changes in facility name or ownership. This is sometimes referred to as Fire Marshal Approval.

3. What does Fire Marshal Approval mean?

It means that the plans of your facility or proposed changes to your facility have been reviewed for compliance with the Kansas Fire Prevention Code. Fire Marshal Approval is not the same thing as an inspection.

4. What is required for new facilities?

The following are required:

• 24 or less children – submit C.2.2. (PDF) and scaled drawing to the Office of the State Fire Marshal
• 25 or more children – submit C.2.2. (PDF), C.2.2.A. (PDF) and code footprint to Office of the State Fire Marshal

5. What is required for a license amendment that involves changing the numbers or children?

The following are required:

• 24 or less children – submit C.2.2. (PDF) and scaled drawing to the Office of the State Fire Marshal
• 25 or more children – submit C.2.2. (PDF), C.2.2.A. (PDF) and code footprint to Office of the State Fire Marshal

6. Where do I send my paperwork?

You can mail paperwork to:
Office of the State Fire Marshal
800 SW Jackson Street
Suite 104
Topeka, KS 66612

You can also fax materials to 785-296-0151, but please be aware that the process of faxing plans or drawings can sometimes render them unreadable.

7. Do I need an annual inspection?

Yes. In major cities, start by calling your local fire department and request an inspection. For most other facilities, your annual inspection will be regularly scheduled by the Office of the State Fire Marshal office and you will not need to request one.

8. What's included in the packet I might receive from your office?

The forms, including all the information on this page, are included in packets from our office. All this information is available online. If you are unable to access needed information, call our main office line at 785-296-3401 and request a packet.

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1. Can classroom doors be propped open?

The answer to this question is tough in that it really does depend on the individual situation. In general, non-rated classroom doors may be propped open but only with an approved hold-open device.

Under no circumstance would it be acceptable to prop open a classroom door with a kick-down device, a wooden wedge, or a trash can. Examples of approved hold-open devices include but are not limited to: magnetic hold-open devices or friction devices. Any hold-open device installed on a door must only require 1-motion to close.