Fire Code & Fire Safety Documents

Requests: Code Alternates, System Decommissioning, Vacant Bldg Exemptions

Code modifications and alternates provide flexibility for the fire code official to grant modifications for individual cases where the strict letter of the Seattle Fire Code is impractical and the modification does not lessen health, life and fire safety requirements. To obtain approval for a modification, submit a Code Modification or Alternate Request Form and any supporting data or documentation to the Seattle Fire Marshal’s Office. If your project is not currently going through City permitting or SFD permitting, there is an hourly charge of $248 per hour for our review. For further details, see Client Assistance Memo #1040.

Decommissioning of Fire and Life Safety Systems In the unusual circumstance where a fire and life safety system is no longer required by the Seattle Fire Code, responsible party or their representative may request to decommission the system(s). Example: an area that previously served as a kitchen has been remodeled to a dining area only, and there is no longer a cooking appliance that requires a hood suppression system. To obtain review of your request to decommission a fire and life safety system, please complete this form: Request to Decommission Fire Protection System. There is an hourly charge of $248 per hour for our review.

Vacant Building Exemption from Testing and Maintenance Requirements for Fire and Life Safety Systems The Seattle Fire Code allows limited exceptions to testing and maintenance requirements for fire and life safety systems in vacant buildings. See 2018 SFC Section 311.2 Safeguarding Vacant Premises and information included in this form: Exception Request: Fire Protection System Maintenance in Vacant Building. There is an hourly charge of $248 per hour for our review.

Free review on the adopted 2021 Seattle Fire Code is available here.

The full pdf version of the 2021 Seattle Fire Code is available from iccsafe.org. 

Bound paper volumes of the 2021 Seattle Fire Code are available for purchase for $88. You may buy them in two locations.

• Use the following link and have a bound copy sent to your address:
  https://seattlegov.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500005435181-How-to-Purchase-Seattle-Code-Books-From-SDCI
• Or pick one up in person:
  **Please call (206) 386-1450 ahead of time to arrange a payment and make an appointment for pick-up.**
  Seattle Fire Department / Fire Prevention Division
  220 3rd Avenue South, 2nd Floor
  Seattle, WA 98104-1450 

Seattle Building Codes are available on the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) code pages.

Please use this link to view our new Administrative Rules page: SFD Admin Rules.

Please use this link to view our new Client Assistance Memos page: Info Sheets and Client Assistance Memos (CAMs)

NFPA Amendments

The 2018 Seattle Fire Code has two new chapters 40 and 41. Chapter 40, Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems, includes the reference to the 2017 edition of the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Standard 130, which was adopted by Washington state. The City of Seattle has adopted local amendments to that standard, and those are shown in Chapter 40 of the 2018 Seattle Fire Code. Chapter 41, Road Tunnels, Bridges and Other Limited Access Highways, includes the reference to the 2017 edition of NFPA Standard 502 with City of Seattle adopted local amendments.