The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) — A series of inspections by the Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office over the past year have revealed persistent fire code violations at Covington Middle School, raising concerns about student and staff safety. Reports from inspections conducted in April 2024 and February 2025 indicate multiple infractions, some of which were repeat violations that had not been addressed for nearly a year. The most recent inspection, conducted on Feb. 5, 2025, documented 14 fire code violations, including obstructed exits, improperly maintained fire doors, outdated fire extinguishers, and hazardous electrical conditions.
These findings closely mirrored those from the April 4, 2024, inspection, which also cited 14 violations, suggesting ongoing noncompliance with state fire safety regulations. Among the most serious concerns cited in both inspections was storing combustible materials in restricted areas. In April 2024, fire marshals reported that the electrical room in Room 109 was being misused for storage, a violation of Section 315.3.3 of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code. Nearly a year later, the same violation was noted in the February 2025 inspection, indicating no corrective action had been taken.
The February 2025 report also noted that fire doors in critical areas were not functioning properly. The self-closing mechanism for the corridor door to Room 109 had been disabled, and the fire doors outside the second-floor auditorium did not close or latch automatically, creating a serious risk of fire spreading unchecked.
Both inspections also revealed issues with blocked emergency exits. In April 2024, inspectors found that the rear exit of the band room and the kitchen’s rear exit access path were obstructed by storage items, violating fire safety regulations that require exits to remain free of impediments at all times. By February 2025, a similar problem had emerged near the gymnasium’s exit corridor leading to Burton Field, as well as in the main foyer of the gym.
Electrical safety violations were also a recurring issue. The April 2024 inspection identified the improper use of power strips in several classrooms, including Rooms 208, 209, and 110, along with the custodial office and the basement boiler room. Fire inspectors emphasized that relocatable power taps must be directly connected to a permanent receptacle, a rule meant to prevent electrical fires. However, the February 2025 report found similar infractions in the School Resource Officer’s office and IT area, raising concerns about a lack of corrective measures being implemented.
The school’s fire suppression and alarm systems reportedly showed signs of neglect. In April 2024, fire marshals noted that the hydraulic calculation plate for the main sprinkler riser was missing, which is necessary for ensuring the system is operating correctly. Although it was marked as a violation at that time, the February 2025 report did not confirm whether it had been repaired. Furthermore, portable fire extinguishers had not been inspected annually, a requirement under Section 906.1 of the state fire code.
In addition, emergency lighting in the gym ceiling remained inoperable between the two inspections. Emergency lighting is critical to ensuring safe evacuation during power failures or fire emergencies.
In a newly cited violation from the February 2025 inspection, fire officials reported that a kitchen lab oven had been relocated without approval from local building officials. Additionally, cooking equipment had been installed improperly in the library, raising concerns about unapproved structural and operational changes that could impact fire safety.
Fire safety planning and documentation were found to be lacking. The February 2025 inspection cited missing evacuation maps in Rooms 212 and 306, which are critical in helping students and staff navigate emergency exits in case of a fire. The report also could not confirm whether the school had inspected its rated fire doors annually, another requirement under NFPA 80.
Both inspections concluded with a formal order to correct violations immediately, with re-inspection dates set to verify the school’s compliance. The failure to address several repeat violations over a year could result in legal proceedings against the school or the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools administration.
Attempts to reach out to the school’s principal, as well as Alleghany County school administration for comments on this situation, were unsuccessful. Further updates on the state of affairs at Covington Middle School will be printed as they are received. The Virginian Review will continue to monitor this serious situation closely.
