Fire Prevention Division

Contact
Fire Prevention
Fire Station No. 1
301 Washington Street
Paducah, KY 42003
Phone: 
270-444-8522

About the Fire Prevention Division

Promote Safety - Serve Community - Protect Life

The Fire Prevention Division conducts fire prevention inspections using the Kentucky Fire Prevention Code annually on residential, assembly, education, business, mercantile, storage, factory and industrial, high hazard, and utility and miscellaneous type use groups.

The Division also offers discussions, demonstrations on fire safety, and education that is free of charge to all legitimate civic organizations, businesses, schools, churches, and healthcare facilities.

Vision  Our vision is to be a recognized leader in building safety, fire prevention, and public services.

Mission  Our mission is to maintain a high level of safety and public welfare by providing professional level services of fire inspections, fire investigations and public education. We provide professional guidance of adopted standards and codes to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare for the citizens and visitors of Paducah.

Fire Prevention Division Contacts

Greg Cherry - Deputy Chief Fire Prevention
April Pittman - Battalion Chief
Matt Stevens - Deputy Fire Marshal

Smoke Alarms, Burning, and Fire Prevention Inspections

Smoke Alarms.  The Paducah Fire Department will install smoke alarms at no charge to Paducah residents. To make an appointment for firefighters to come to your home to install a smoke alarm, call 270-444-8522.

Burning.  It is not legal to burn within the city limits. However, there are cases in which a burn permit can be obtained from the Fire Prevention office. 

Fire Prevention Inspections.  Fire Prevention Inspections are conducted annually on residential, assembly, education, business, mercantile, storage, factory and industrial, high hazard, and utility and miscellaneous type use groups. These inspections are conducted using the Kentucky Fire Prevention Code which also references additional codes. All locations must comply to the codes and ordinances as they pertain to the type occupancy that they are classified. All locations are subject to additional inspections such as follow-ups or complaints. All inspections will be conducted by certified fire prevention inspectors. 

Public Education and Safety Information

The Fire Prevention Division offers in-services, talks, and demonstrations on fire safety and education free of charge to civic organizations, businesses, schools, churches, and healthcare facilities. Below are links to online resources for public education and safety.

Youth Firesetter Intervention Program

The Paducah Fire Prevention Division manages the Youth Firesetter Intervention Program of Paducah-McCracken County. The goals of the program are to 

  1. Identify the firesetting behavior of children who have been referred to the program for the unsanctioned and/or unsupervised use of fire;
  2. Determine the motivation for the firesetting behavior; and
  3. Provide appropriate education and/or referral for such children/families.

Adopted Codes

Paducah Code of Ordinances

In addition to abiding by the codes adopted by the State of Kentucky, the Fire Prevention Division in partnership with the Community Development Department operates under several sections of the Paducah Code of Ordinances. 

Codes Adopted by Kentucky

What is the Kentucky Building Code (KBC)? The Commonwealth of Kentucky under Kentucky Revised Statute 198B indicates that all construction within the Commonwealth conform to a uniform building code, the Kentucky Building Code (KBC). 

The KBC defines what projects are required to obtain a permit and mandates the reviewing, approving, and inspection of buildings and structures that are under the applicability of the Kentucky Building Code and other referenced standards. This service is done though reviewing and approving of the construction documents and follow-up field inspections to ensure the building is constructed in accordance with the approved construction documents. Jurisdiction responsibilities are divided into state and local inspection in accordance with Section 104.0 of the Kentucky Building Code.

Section 105 of the Kentucky Building Code states: Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, remodel or change the occupancy of a building, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.

The Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction adopted the 2018 Kentucky Building Code (KBC) and the 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC). The codes are based on the 2015 International Building Code and the 2015 International Residential Code, both with Kentucky amendments. The mandatory effective date for the 2018 KBC and the 2018 KRC was January 1, 2019. 

Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings, & Construction

Additional information is available through the International Code Council. 

  • 2018 Kentucky Building Code (KBC) (based on the 2015 International Building Code)  2018 Kentucky Residential Code (based on the 2015 International Residential Code)
  • 2015 International Mechanical Code 
  • 2015 International Fire Code (IFC)  (New construction projects and only when specifically referenced by the body of KBC)
  • 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (for use with the Kentucky Building Code and commercial buildings only)
  • 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (for use with the  Kentucky Residential Code only - see definition in IECC)
  • 2009 ICC/ANSI A117.1--Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities Kentucky State Plumbing Law, Regulations & Code (815 KAR Chapter 20) State Boiler Regulation (KRS 236, 815  KAR 15)
  • 2013 NFPA 13 - Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
  • 2013 NFPA 13D - Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes
  • 2013 NFPA 13R - Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies Up to and Including Four Stories in Height
  • 2013 NFPA 14 - Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems
  • 2012 NFPA 54 - National Fuel Gas Code
  • 2017 NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code (effective October 1, 2014)
  • 2013 NFPA 72 - National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
  • 2012 NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code (Health Care Facilities)
  • 2015 International Existing Building Code

Note:  The above list is for reference only and is only representative of the many codes and standards currently used in Kentucky. For specific applications not listed above, contact the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction, Division of Building Codes Enforcement at 502-573-0373 or refer to Chapter 35 of the Kentucky Building Code.