Commercial Suppression Systems Permit
A commercial suppression system permit is required for the following work on a commercial building or structure.
- Renovate and repair existing suppression system.
- Extend or modify an existing suppression system.
- Installation of a new suppression system.
Please see Permit Home for definition of commercial structures and work type.
Over the counter applications will require a Commercial Suppression System Permit Application.
New Construction & Addition / Alteration Work Types:
- Clean Agent System: applies to the installation of a new or modification to an existing clean agent system.
- Cooking Hood Suppression System: applies to the installation of a new an existing cooking hood suppression system or replacement of an existing system if the associated work includes modification of the cooking hood and/or cooking appliances.
- FDC: applies to the installation of a new or modification to an existing fire department connection.
- Fire Pump: applies to the installation of a new or modification to an existing fire pump.
- Hydrants: applies to the installation of a new or modification to an existing private hydrants.
- Riser: applies to the installation of a new or modification to an existing suppression system riser.
- Standpipe System: applies to the installation of a new or modification to an existing standpipe system.
- Underground Fire Main: applies to the installation of a new or modification to an existing underground fire main.
- Water Based Sprinkler System: applies to the installation of a new or modification to an existing water based sprinkler system.
Minor Alteration Work Types:
- Alteration to Existing Cooking Hood Suppression System: applies to the modification or replacement of an existing system if the associated work does not include modification of the cooking hood and/or cooking appliances.
- Relocate Sprinkler Heads That Do Not Affect Cover Area: applies to relocation of existing sprinkler heads where the relocation does not affect cover area.
- Replacement In Kind of Underground Fire Main: applies to replacement in kind (same size, location and configuration) of an underground fire main.
- Replacement of Sprinkler Heads In Kind: applies to replacement of existing sprinkler heads in kind (same type of head, same characteristics and same location).
Permit Process
See these webpages for additional information regarding the permitting process:
- Permit Process
- Application Submission
- All other work type other than Minor Alteration requires 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 the type of suppression system to be installed.
- For work scope including underground fire main, the water utility approved tap-in drawings shall be submitted to PLI for review.
- If the work scope is limited solely to Cooking Hood Suppression System the drawings do not need to comply with the above requirements.
- Application Review
- Permit Issuance
- Permit Inspections
- Hydrant Flow Test Report - required to be submitted for underground fire mains, new sprinkler systems and private hydrants.
- Statement of Compliance - required to be submitted for final inspection.
- Underground Material and Test Certificate - required to be submitted for final inspection if part of permit scope.
- Aboveground Material and Test Certificate - required to be submitted for final inspection if part of permit scope.
- Clean Agent Acceptance Inspection and Test - required to be submitted for final inspection if part of permit scope.
- Wet Chemical Acceptance Inspection and Test - required to be submitted for final inspection if part of permit scope.
- Permit Completion
Please see Other Agency Coordination for processes related to other agencies that may relate to your permit scope. For commercial suppression system 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.
- Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA)
- Underground Fire Main work scope.
- Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire (PBF)
- FDC work scope.