Commercial Fire Alarm

A commercial fire alarm permit is required for the following work on a commercial building or structure.

• Renovate and repair existing fire alarm systems, including suppression system supervisory and alarm systems.
• Extend or modify an existing fire alarm system, including suppression system supervisory and alarm systems.
• Installation of a new fire alarm system, including suppression system supervisory and alarm systems.

Please see Permit Home for the definition of commercial structures and work types.

Over the counter applications will require a Commercial Fire Alarm Permit Application.

New Construction & Addition / Alteration Work Types:

• Circuit Wiring: applies to circuit wiring associated with the fire alarm system.
• Fire Alarm Control and/or Annunciator Panel: applies to the installation of new or replacement of existing fire alarm control and/or annunciator panels.
• New Devices: applies to the installation of new devices such as notification (horns, strobes, combo a/v) and initiating (pull stations, smoke detectors) devices.
• Relocation / Replacement of Devices: applies to the relocation/replacement of existing fire alarm devices such as notification (horns, strobes, combo a/v) and initiating (pull stations, smoke detectors) devices when not in kind or when associated with installation of new devices and/or fire alarm control panels and/or annunciator panels.

Minor Alteration Work Types:

Interior minor alterations, items 4-6 below, are only applicable to structures with a valid Certificate of Occupancy. Any applications that are not limited to the items listed below shall require an addition/alteration work type permit.

• Relay for Hood Suppression System: applies to wiring and equipment that operates at 50V or less.
• Relocation / Replacement of Devices In-Kind only: applies to the relocation or replacement in kind of devices such as notification (horns, strobes, combo a/v) and initiating (pull stations, smoke detectors) devices. 
  • This excludes the replacement and/or relocation of fire alarm control panels and/or annunciator panels.

Permit Process:

See these webpages for additional information regarding the permitting process:

• Permit Process
• Application Submission
• All other work types other than Minor Alterations require submission of construction drawings to OneStopPGH.
• Drawings shall be one of the following:
  • Prepared and sealed by a PA licensed architect or engineer.
  • Prepared and sealed by a PA licensed architect or engineer supplemented by shop drawings if accompanied with a statement from the architect or engineer that they have accepted the shop drawings as part of the construction drawings.
  • Prepared and signed by an individual with a Level III Nicet certification for fire alarm systems.
• Application Review
• Permit Issuance
• Permit Inspections
  • Statement of Compliance - required to be submitted for a final inspection.
  • Record of Completion – required to be submitted for a final inspection.
• Permit Completion

Please see Other Agency Coordination for processes related to other agencies that may relate to your permit scope.  For commercial fire alarm permits:

• Zoning Development Review application (ZDR) submission is required for the following:
  • Any work scope if the property is located in a regulated floodplain.
• PA Department of Health (DOH)
  • Required for a structure regulated by the PA Health Care Facilities Act.