Fire Permit

What You Should Know

There are two categories for Fire Permits: No-Plan and Plan.

No-Plan

• No-Plan Fire-Sprinkler and Fire-Alarm permits
  These two permits allow modifications to existing systems under a specific threshold without the need for plans to be submitted. An affidavit by a licensed professional is required and all modifications will be inspected. To learn more, view the Fire Sprinkler Affidavit Form DS-161 and Fire Alarm Affidavit Form DS-163.

Plan

• Fire Alarm – To install a fire alarm system, it shall be designed and installed in accordance with the California Fire Code (CFC), California Electrical Code (CEC), and the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (NFPA 72) as amended by Chapter 80 of the CFC. See Information Bulletin 137 for additional information
• Kitchen Hood – Commercial kitchens require specialized fire suppression equipment. See IB 139 for additional information.
• Fire Suppression/Sprinkler for Buildings – For residential fire sprinkler systems, see Information Bulletin124. For commercial fire sprinkler systems, see IB 139
• Fire Underground – Fire service mains and hydrants, see Information Bulletin 181
• Your project may require a historic review to determine conformance with the historic resources regulations if your project is located:
  
  1. On a site with a designated historic resource
  2. Within a designated historic district
  3. On a site containing a structure of 45 years or more.
• Please review  Information Bulletin 581 for additional information.

Fees

• Information Bulletin 506 - Fee Schedule for Fire Permit Fees

Exemptions

• A Fire Permit is not required for the maintenance of fire suppression and fire alarm systems pursuant to Chapter 9 in the California Fire Code. Learn more about exemptions from a fire permit.

Compliant Outdoor Expansion

Fire Alarm Systems

Projects involving the replacement, movement, or addition of up to four fire alarm devices or appliances in an existing fire alarm system will not require the submittal of fire alarm plans, calculations and manufacturer’s data sheets provided that the design meets the conditions specified in Sections II or III of  Affidavit for Fire Alarm Alterations or TIs (Form DS-163).

All other TIs and new buildings must provide plans and calculations as specified in  Information Bulletin 137.

Fire Suppression Systems

• Information Bulletin 181 - Private Fire Underground and Hydrants
• Information Bulletin 124 - Single Dwelling Unit/Duplex Sprinkler Systems
• Information Bulletin 139 - All Other Buildings and Structures Sprinkler Systems
• Information Bulletin 580 – Potential Historic Resource Review
• Information Bulletin 581 – Designated Historical Resource Review
• Tenant Improvements (TIs): Projects involving the replacement, movement, or addition of up to 20 sprinklers in a light hazard, wet sprinkler system will not require the submittal of sprinkler plans provided that the design meets the conditions specified in Sections II and III of  Affidavit for Fire Sprinkler Alterations or TIs (Form DS-161).
• All other TIs and new buildings must provide plans and calculations as specified in  Information Bulletin 139

Additions and Modifications to the California Codes

• Adoption of the California Fire Code – Chapter 5, Article 5, Division 1
• Additions to the California Fire Code – Chapter 5, Article 5, Divisions 2 - 87

Information Bulletins

• Information Bulletin 124 - How to Obtain a Permit for a Residential Fire Sprinkler System
• Information Bulletin 139 - How to Obtain a Permit for Fire Sprinkler Systems
• Information Bulletin 180 - How to Obtain Hydrant Flow Data
• Information Bulletin 181 - How to Obtain a Permit for Private Underground Fire Service and Hydrants

Technical Bulletins

• Technical Bulletin FIRE-9-1 - Sprinklers, Standpipes, Fire Pumps and Secondary Water Supply for High-Rises
• Technical Bulletin FIRE-9-2 - Requirements for Fire Alarm Control Panels
• Technical Bulletin FIRE-9-3 - Sprinkler Protection for Balconies, Canopies, Porte-Cochéres, and Decks
• Technical Bulletin FIRE-9-4 - Fire Alarm Wiring
• Technical Bulletin FIRE-9-1 - Sprinklers, Standpipes, Fire Pumps and Secondary Water Supply for High-Rises
• Technical Bulletin FIRE-9-2 - Requirements for Fire Alarm Control Panels
• Technical Bulletin FIRE-9-3 - Sprinkler Protection for Balconies, Canopies, Porte-Cochéres, and Decks
• Technical Bulletin FIRE-9-4 - Fire Alarm Wiring
• Technical Bulletin FIRE-9-5 - Design of Sprinkler Systems in Shell Buildings
• Technical Bulletin FIRE-9-6 - Standpipe System Requirements
• Technical Bulletin RESD-3-1 - Fire Sprinkler Requirements for Additions to Existing, Non-Sprinklered Dwellings

Forms

• Form DS-160 - Hydrant Flow Request
• Form DS-161 - Affidavit for Fire Sprinkler Alterations or Tenant Improvements (TIs)
• Form DS-163 - Affidavit for Fire Alarm Alterations or Tenant Improvements (TIs)

• Project Contacts Information (DS-345)