The fire marshal is the official with legal authority to enforce the fire code (typically a state or local edition of the IFC) and life-safety provisions of the building code. On commercial projects, the fire marshal is a separate AHJ from the building department and runs a parallel review and inspection track. The fire marshal's scope typically includes: sprinkler system design and acceptance testing, fire alarm system installation and testing, smoke control systems, fire-rated assemblies and penetrations, exit signage, emergency lighting, fire extinguisher locations, and life-safety plan compliance.
Failing fire marshal final inspection blocks the certificate of occupancy even if the building department has signed off. Plan-review timing with the fire marshal is often slower than the building department; submit drawings early and follow up. Some jurisdictions require the fire marshal to attend specific milestone inspections (above-ceiling, sprinkler hydrostatic, fire alarm acceptance) that must be scheduled days or weeks in advance.