By SUSAN SHARP

LAFOLLETTE, TN. (WLAF)- The Harbor Church had multiple deficiencies during a Jan. 29 inspection, according to the state fire marshal’s report.

The Tennessee Division of Fire Prevention assumed the lead in the investigation after the City of LaFollette determined the associated thrift store, located in the same building, wasn’t up to code. The state fire marshal inspected the entire building.

During the visit by the Tennessee State Fire Marshal, it was noted that a “fire rated assembly” had been constructed between the church and the rest of the building. A fire rated assembly is a barrier between spaces meant to hold off the fire. While Pastor James Coffey told officials it was “constructed per UL listings and a 2 hour fire label was observed,” the state fire marshal’s office disagreed noting the item wasn’t “properly fire stopped and didn’t appear to have adequate opening protectives in several areas.”

As the inspection progressed other deficiencies “were observed including but not limited to:”

-fire sprinkler coverage obstructed or not present in some areas of the building

-means of exit lighting and signs weren’t present/ and or not operational.

-obstructed means of exit observed in three separate areas (This was cleared prior to officials leaving, per the report.)

– the exits capacity and location(s) may not be sufficient for the number of people allowed in the building

The City of LaFollette had previously asked the church for an architectural rendering of the building. In response, a hand drawn depiction of the building was submitted, city officials said.

Coffey told fire marshal authorities he “had consulted with an architect” and was having an “as-built drawing” completed for The Harbor, the report said.

Along with these issues, the report said the church had violated state codes when it failed to submit plans prior to the building being altered. When a building has an occupancy of 300 or more and changes to the occupancy number, rated assembly alteration or alteration of the fire suppression system is occurring the state fire marshal’s office must receive plans of the proposed changes.  

The Harbor was instructed to submit a Plan of Corrective Action (POCA) regarding the deficiencies by Feb. 10

The first plan, submitted on Feb. 11, only addressed the lack of architectural documents. It did not offer information regarding the other issues identified in the Jan. 29 visit. Within the submitted plan, church officials reported Hutchinson Associates, PC would have the drawings completed within 30 days, according to state documents.

Another plan asking for all deficiencies be addressed was requested by state officials.

The next day another POCA was submitted by The Harbor.

“According to what the church has told us, they will submit new plans for approval to the SFMO (state fire marshal’s office) by March 12, 2025. We would have a month to review them with a completion date of April 12, 2025. They are proposing to start construction on May 12, 2205,” according to Kevin Walters spokesman for the state fire marshal said.

The Harbor can continue to use its building as long as a firewatch is in place when the building is in use, Walters said. A fire watch is a period of time when a group of staff continually circulate through the building looking for signs of fire. 

Coffey was contacted via phone and email regarding the POCA. He didn’t return WLAF’s request for comment.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 2/20/2025-6AM)

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