County fire marshal says adopted fire codes and NFPA standards cover data-center risks

Daniel Callum, Wilson Countys fire marshal, told the Data Center Advisory Committee that the county already enforces modern building- and life-safety codes for data-center reviews and will apply additional referenced standards where hazards warrant. He said reviewers begin with the site planchecking access for emergency vehicles, water resources and proper addressingand then review architectural and engineering drawings against the adopted codes.

Callum said the county enforces the 2021 International Fire Code and the 2021 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, and uses industry reference standards such as NFPA 75 (Protection of Information and Technology Equipment) when appropriate. "We apply the code that's been adopted by the county," he told the committee, adding that the department cross-checks engineering calculations and will require upsized lines or auxiliary water tanks when the math shows insufficient fire flow. He also described special protections for battery rooms and lithium-ion storage, noting staged sprinkler or preaction systems may be required to avoid inadvertent discharge above sensitive equipment.

Callum said records and inspection information are public and that the countys reviewers work with architects and design professionals to correct calculations before construction. He concluded that while county staff can ask for "extra things" on a cramped or atypical site, he is confident the combination of the adopted codes and applicable reference standards provides the enforcement authority the county needs.