(A) Permit required. A permit will be required to be obtained from the Fire Marshal’s office for the installation of a new fire alarm system or renovations to an existing fire alarm system.
(B) Permit issuance and fee. The permit fee will be based on the service and permit fee schedule found in the service and permit fee schedule. Once the plans are approved, a permit will be issued to the contractor. The permit fee must be paid when the permit is issued.
(C) Applications and plans required. Prior to the issuance of an alarm system permit, plans showing the alarm system installation or renovations, along with a permit application, shall be submitted to the Fire Marshal’s office for approval. The plans shall be included as a part of the submittals of the design of the overall building, in the event of new construction; and shall be provided as part of the renovation plans, in the event renovation plans are required for the structure. The plans are design plans and specifications, and not shop drawings by the manufacturer or installer. These plans shall show the location and types of all devices, alarm panels and equipment, various alarm zones, wiring methods, monitoring, and other such specifications as necessary to ascertain the specific type of system being required by the project. These plans and specifications should be submitted for approval prior to the installation of any equipment or wiring. The Fire Marshal’s office may also request a copy of the shop drawings of the specific alarm system, as developed by the manufacturer and installer of the system, if it is deemed necessary by the complexity of the proposed fire alarm. All systems shall meet NFPA standards and any other applicable NFPA requirements. It must also be shown in detail how fire-resistive and structural integrity will be maintained.
(D) Inspections required. It will be the responsibility of the alarm contractor to contact the Fire Marshal’s office at least 48 hours in advance to schedule an inspection. An inspection will be required on all rough-in wiring prior to any concealment by building finishes. A final inspection will be conducted once the entire system is completed and ready for operation. A complete check of all devices, such as pull-stations, smoke detectors, and the like, will be required. All zones in a structure or premises shall be tested. It will be the responsibility of the contractor to have the necessary personnel present to conduct the test. All panels shall clearly identify zones in a manner that will allow fire personnel to quickly identify the area in alarm. A building schematic shall be placed at each panel, electrical rooms, and sprinkler rooms.
(E) Materials test and certification. Once the system has been deemed approved by the Fire Official, the contractor will be responsible for issuing a materials test and certification letter to the Fire Marshal’s office. This letter shall state that the system has been installed, in accordance with the appropriate NFPA standards, the NCFC, and the State Building Code General Construction, along with the State Amendments to the State Building Code, has been tested, all materials used are approved for their use, and the system is in full operation. This letter shall also include a certificate of compliance as required by NFPA standards.
(F) Inspection report and finalization. An inspection report will be completed after each inspection conducted on the alarm system. A copy will be left with the alarm contractor, with the remaining copies of the inspection report filed in the Fire Marshal’s office. Once all the necessary requirements have been met for the alarm system, the inspector may then consider the permit complete and final, and may note as such on the permit. No permit may be considered final until all requirements, including receipt of the permit fee, are completed.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 11-6-2023)