What are the fees for a fire alarm or sprinkler system?

Yes, you do need to obtain a permit; however, you do not need to provide plans for review. Plans are not required for automatic sprinkler system modifications or installations in commercial buildings involving 10 sprinkler heads or less, and not involving the shifting of any cross mains or risers, in accordance with Section 4-157, Subtitle 4.

If the change is only for the fire alarm panel with no changes to associated field devices, then fire alarm plans need not be submitted. However, an electrical permit is still required for the fire alarm panel changes.

Yes, fire alarm shop drawings are required to be submitted for automatic sprinkler monitoring systems. Four sets of plans and booklets are required.

Yes, the Fire System shop drawings are required to be reviewed and approved by a DPIE-certified, third party plan review agency. View a current list of Third Party Reviewers for Fire Protection Systems.

No, all plumbing requirements are handled by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). Plumbing drawings can be provided for reference. Learn more about the Commission.

The best way to check the review status of a case is through the ePlan (ProjectDox) system by using the “project reports tab.” If you don’t have access to ePlan, you can ask the person who uploaded the plans to provide you with the report. Reports can be downloaded in PDF and other formats. Please check the report date in the upper left corner to ensure it is up to date. The completed status doesn’t mean it was approved; it only shows the task was completed.

This is handled by the Fire/EMS Department. To schedule an appointment with them, please contact the Office of the Fire Marshal at 301-583-1830.

All water supplies should be adjusted to Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC)’s low hydraulic gradient. An additional 5 psi below the water curve is required per Subtitle 4 Section 4-158(j). Learn more on the Commission.

Refer to Subtitle 11 and CR-42-2010 which can be found on the County Legislative/Zoning Information System. The following are current editions of our most frequently used NFPA standards:
- 2015 NFPA 1 Fire Code
- 2015 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code
- 2013 NFPA 13/13R/13D Sprinkler Systems
- 2013 NFPA 14 Standpipe and Hose Systems
- 2013 NFPA 20 Fire Pumps
- 2015 NFPA 30/30A Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
- 2013 NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
- 2012 NFPA 1142 Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting

Learn more on the County Legislative/Zoning Information System page.

A fire hydrant is required within 200 feet of any required fire department connection, in accordance with Section 4-164, Subtitle 4.

DPIE has a new permitting system called Momentum and is transitioning from ePermits, the previous permitting system. If the related building (construction/use) permit was processed in ePermits, applicants have the option to apply for the FIR case through ePermits instead of Momentum. The ePermits process is different, and the case is not automatically directed to a third-party plan reviewer; therefore, the applicant must upload the third-party approved plans and documents. If the permit was applied for through Momentum, the third-party plan reviewers will review the case online, so there is no need to have the plans and documents approved ahead of time by the third-party reviewer and separately uploaded by the applicant.

All plans that require hydraulic calculations must verify all water supplies. All new buildings and additions require that the water test be provided from Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). Learn more information on the Automatic Sprinkler System page.

For momentum cases, all permits and job cards will be uploaded in Momentum. Please go to the case-related records option, then click the permit number starting with P (that is the permit number, not the case number). Once you’re on the P number, please go to "attachments" (second option from the bottom). The permit/job card should be there. If it is not, please contact DPIEcustomer2@co.pg.md.us.

After checking the case status from the ePlan report, you can follow the steps below:

• If the case is with the plan screening coordinator, fire distribution fire coordinator, contact the ePlan team at eplan@co.pg.md.us
• If the case is with the pre-screening or issuance, contact the Permitting Division at eplan@co.pg.md.us.
• If the case is with the third-party reviewer, contact the selected third-party plan reviewer directly.
• If the case is in the fire completeness stage, check "fire," and contact the Fire & Life Safety Section engineer listed on the report.
• If you have an issue with the Momentum system, contact DPIEcustomer2@co.pg.md.us.