Fire Protection Systems Permit

A fire protection systems permit is required for installing and making changes to fire protection systems such as:

• Fire alarms
• Fire sprinklers
• Standpipes
• Rangehood systems
• Other suppression systems and components

Submission Requirements

Fire protection systems permit applications must be submitted online via Permit Arlington.

• Review Permit Arlington submission guidelines, which include document sizing and layout, standard file naming conventions, and file type requirements.
• Review the Arlington County Fire Protection Requirement Manual (ACFPRM)(PDF, 1MB)
• Based on the permit holder and applicant for your project, you may be required to upload a Permit Authorization Affidavit.
• Plans and other supporting documents must be provided at the time of application.
• When you apply, you must identify the type of building in your project. Some residential properties are considered commercial per the Building Code and therefore require a commercial permit. Determine whether your project is considered residential or commercial.
• Refer to Permit Arlington: Online Submission Guidelines for file upload requirements related to your application.

Application Process 

Step 1: Apply Online

• Register or log in to Permit Arlington to submit a Fire Protection Systems Permit application.
• View step-by-step video tutorials and help information.

Step 2: Completeness Check

• Applications will be checked for completeness within 2 business days.
• If incomplete, the applicant and all email contacts provided on the application will be contacted by email. The comment letter(s) may be viewed by visiting Permit Arlington - Review Results Letters and entering the project ID (ex: FIRE22-12345).

Step 3: Review and Revisions

• Review times are based on the scope of work.
• A project qualifies for a review time of 5 business days if it consists of 20 or fewer initiating and signaling devices, 20 or fewer sprinkler headers, or range hoods only.
• All other projects take up to 15 business days to review.
• Review times do not include completeness check or final processing windows.
• The applicant and all email contacts provided on the application will receive an email with any review comments. 
• View Permit Revisions to learn how to respond to comments and revise plans or documents. 

Step 4: Final Processing

• After required reviews and revisions are completed, contractor information will be verified and permit fees will be calculated within two business days.
• The applicant and all email contacts provided on the application will be contacted by email with any required changes or with fee information.
• To pay the fee, enter the permit number into Permit Arlington Online Payment. See help guidelines for adding contacts to a permit.  

Step 5: Approvals and Printing

Once payment is received, the applicant will be provided with a digital copy of the permit and placard in the Permit Arlington system.

Accessing the Permit and Placard

1. Log in to the Permit Arlington customer portal and search for the permit number in the upper right corner. 
2. Click on the permit number.
3. Click on "Record Info"
4. Click on "Attachments"
5. The applicant should see a file named "permit"

Once the permit has been obtained and posted, construction work can begin.

The placard and permit must be posted at the project site, in adherence with the following guidelines:

• The approved plan set and support documentation must be available on-site prior to any scheduled inspections
• Minimum sheet size of 11 in. x 17 in.
  • Supporting documentation (ex: project specifications, structural calculations, etc.) may be printed on 8.5 in. x 11 in. pages.
• Plans should be legible and of an easily-readable scale
• Other than site plan drawings, no drawing should be printed at a scale smaller than 1/8 in. = 1 ft.

The applicant will receive access to the approved plan set (approximately two business days). This set will be available in the Permit Arlington system.

Accessing the Approved Plan

1. Log in to the Permit Arlington customer portal and search for the permit number in the upper right corner. 
2. Click on the permit number.
3. Click on "Plan Review"
4. Click on "Approved Documents"
5. The applicant should seethe approved plan set.

Scheduling Inspections

Once your permits have been approved, you must schedule inspections to ensure the safety and proper progress of the project.

• Log into the Permit Arlington customer portal and search for the permit number in the upper right corner.
• Click on the permit number. Note, only permits that are issued awaiting inspections can schedule inspections. 
• Click on "Record Info" 
• Click on "Inspections"
• Click on "Schedule or Request an Inspection"
• Select the inspection type. Note, you cannot select a date while scheduling.
• Click on "Change Contact" and "Specify Another Person"
• Enter the name and telephone number of the person staff should contact to complete the inspection. 

The fire inspection coordinator will contact you to schedule the date and time for the inspection. 

Fees

• Fee Schedules.

Fee schedules provide the range of fees charged for each type of application or activity related to land development in Arlington. Fees cover permitting, plan review, enforcement, inspection, service delivery, performance agreements, and conditions. There are separate fee schedules for Inspection Services Division (ISD), Zoning, and the Department of Environmental Services (DES). Some permits involve fees from more than one schedule.