Fire Alarm Permit
What Is It?
You need a low-voltage electrical (-EL) permit when you are adding, replacing, or relocating fire alarm initiating devices, notification appliances, circuit power extenders, or control units. The electrical permit includes both SDCI review and inspection, and Seattle Fire Department review and inspection. An over-the-counter permit with no plan review will be issued for projects that add, relocate, or modify fewer than 7 devices. A plan review by the Seattle Fire Department is required for any new fire alarm systems, regardless of the number of devices. A permit is also required for adding or relocating 7 or more devices on any existing systems. This review is conducted as part of the electrical permit issuance process.
Fire alarm technicians require SFD fire alarm certification. You may also need a business license if you are working in Seattle, even if your office is outside the city.
- In addition to the Seattle Building Code, Seattle Fire Code, and NFPA Standards, please see Seattle Fire Department Administrative Rule 9.09, Visible Alarm Notification Devices
- Seattle Fire CAM 5002, Electronic File Standards - Shop Drawings for Fire Protection Systems, and CAM 5966, The Engineering Inspection Process
- Seattle Fire Department inspection requirements and additional inspection prerequisites for certain inspection types
How Much Does It Cost?
SDCI fees: There is a basic fee for the SDCI electrical review and inspection of the fire alarm's wiring. Each fire alarm controller and each device (such as horn, strobe, speaker, etc.) costs an additional small fee. All fees are subject to an additional technology fee. See our Fee Subtitle for details.
SFD fees: The OTC permit has a flat fee for the SFD inspection. The full permit includes an hourly fee for SFD plan review, an inspection fee for either existing systems or new systems, plus a fee for each device. Additional Fire Department fees apply for NFPA Integrated Testing or interface testing. For more information, please see SFD Plan Review or SFD Construction Inspections.
- SDCI Fee Subtitle
- SFD Fee Subtitle (SMC 22.602.070)
How Long Does It Take?
Our review time for your permit depends on how complex your project is and the quality and completeness of your original application. For SFD plan review, we estimate 2-4 weeks from time of submittal. Please arrange for your SFD inspection early, we are scheduling 3-4 weeks out due to staffing levels.
Steps To Get Your Permit
Start your application. Complete the Electrical Permit Application online using the Seattle Services Portal.
- If you are applying for an existing system with 6 devices or less, you can submit an electrical permit: over the counter application. This project will require an inspection by SDCI and by SFD.
- If you are applying for a new system (of any size) or adding and/or relocating devices 7 or more devices in an existing system, you will need a review of your plans by both the Seattle Fire Department and SDCI Electrical. This review is conducted as part of the electrical permit issuance process. This project will also require an inspection by SDCI and by SFD.
You will need:
- The work site address and work activity location
- Work site owner or tenant contact name, address, and telephone number
- Contractor or installer information, including state electrical license number
- Description of work
- Scaled plans, not smaller than 11 x 17 inches. Your plans must include:
- Floor plan indicating the use of all rooms
- Riser diagram
- Location of all alarm-initiating devices
- Location of all alarm notification devices, including candela ratings for visible devices
- Location of alarm control, transponders, and notification power supplies
- Annunciation
- Power connection
- Battery calculations
- Voltage drop calculations
- Wiring types and sizes
- Manufacturer's data sheets with model numbers and information for equipment, devices, and materials
- Ceiling height and construction details
- Interface of fire safety control functions
Submit plans. Submit your plans and specifications through the Seattle Services Portal. We may contact you if we need additional information. Your information will automatically be routed to both SDCI electrical and SFD employees.
Pay fees. You will need to pay for your electrical devices when you submit your application. Seattle Fire will add review fees that you will pay before your permit is issued.
Make corrections and resubmit your plans. Once all of our reviews are done, you will receive an email telling you that corrected plans and/or additional information can be uploaded into your portal. Your project may require multiple correction rounds before our reviews are complete.
Pay final fees. Pay SFD fees and any other SDCI fees before we issue your permit.
Print your permit. We will notify you when we have issued your permit and the documents are available in your Seattle Services Portal. Print the permit and approved plan set.
Display your permit. Place your permit in a visible location on the project site.
Request an SDCI inspection. To schedule an inspection, call our 24-hour inspection request line at (206) 684-8900 or request an inspection online. We recommend you schedule a few days in advance when possible. Subject to availability, inspections can be made day of for calls made before 7 a.m.
Request an SFD inspection. Please schedule your inspection in advance, SFD is scheduling 2-4 weeks out based on staffing. Please also review SFD CAM 5966, The Engineering Inspection Process, to ensure you understand preconditions and requirements so you can be ready to pass your inspection. After SFD provides a final okay on your inspection using a paper form, you will provide a copy of that form to the Electrical Service manager, who will close your electrical permit.