Richardson Fire Department

Fire Marshals Office

Fire Permit Application Submittals
[revised 05/11/2007]

This information is provided to assist the customer through the Richardson Fire Department permit application process.
These instructions must be followed to ensure a successful and timely permit application review. The list may not include
all requirements, and is subject to modification. If you have any questions, please contact the Richardson Fire Department,
Fire Marshals Office at (972) 744-5750.
1) Contractor Registration is Required: Applications are available at www.cor.net/Fire/FireSafety/ContractorReg.htm;
2) Permit Required: Unless exempt or otherwise approved, a permit shall be obtained prior to beginning any construction
or installation regulated by section 105.7 Required Construction Permits, of the 2006 International Fire Code;
Permit applications are available at http://www.cor.net/Fire/PDF/FireSystemPermitApp.pdf;
Permits shall be kept on the job site at all times and shall be readily available for inspection by the fire code official;
Permits and submittals not retrieved within 30-days of notification will be disposed of and resubmittal will be required;
Permits expire one year from date of issue. An unexpired permit may be extended for up to 90 days. Expired permits
will be closed and a new application will be required prior to final acceptance.
3) Construction Documents shall comply with the 2006 International Fire Code, sec. 105.4 - Construction Documents,
this document, and the following:
a) Fire alarm systems NFPA 72, 2007 ed., National Fire Alarm Code, annex A.4.5.1.1;
b) Fire sprinkler systems:
i) NFPA 13, 2007 ed., Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, chapter 22, Plans and Calculations;
ii) NFPA 13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and
Manufactured Homes, annex A.4.8; and,
iii) NFPA 13R, 2007 ed., Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and
Including Four Stories in Height, section 6.2, Working Plans.
c) Standpipe and Hose Systems NFPA 14, 2007 ed., Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems,
chapter 8, Plans and Calculations;
d) Fire Pumps NFPA 20, 2007 ed., Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection,
section 5.2, Approval Required;
e) Underground fire lines NFPA 24, 2007 ed., Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their
Appurtenances, section 4.1 Plans;
f) Commercial cooking fire suppression systems NFPA 96, 2004 ed., Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire
Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations, section 10.9 Review and Certification;
g) Clean agent fire suppression system documents NFPA 2001, 2004 ed., Standard on Clean Agent Fire
Extinguishing Systems, section 5.1.2 Working Plans;
h) Other systems submittals shall include plans, cut-sheets, calculations and other documents sufficient to verify that
the system complies with applicable sections of the 2006 International Fire Code as adopted and amended by the
City of Richardson. System designs not covered by the International Fire Code, shall comply with the applicable
NFPA standard and/or other applicable regulations.

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4) Exemptions: This table describes common exemptions for fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems, only. Other
exemptions depend on the applicable code regulating the system. Permits are not required for system repairs or
replacement of equipment with same model equipment.
Type of System
Quantity Affected
Permit and/or Testing Requirements
Fire Alarm......................... Fewer than 5 devices ......................No permit or acceptance test required
Fire Sprinkler .................... Fewer than 10 heads.......................No permit or acceptance test required
20 or Fewer heads ..........................Permit and visual inspection required
No hydrostatic test required
5) General:
a) A minimum of three (3) sets of drawings and one (1) submittal book [containing applicable cut-sheets, calculations,
and other documents] shall be submitted for review;
i) One set will be retained by the Fire Marshals Office; remaining sets will be returned with copies of the permit
one for contractors office files, the other must be available on the job site until final acceptance;
ii) One set of manufacturers data sheets [cut-sheets], for each component connected to the system, shall be
submitted. The model specified and the data used in calculations shall be highlighted. These will be returned
with the permit and must be available on the job site for reference;
iii) One set of calculations shall be submitted. The source of data used in the calculations shall be highlighted on
the manufacturers data sheets - these will be returned with the permit.
b) When field changes are made, as-built drawings shall be provided prior to the start of system acceptance testing.
6) Plans:
a) Plans should be unbound & neatly folded to fit within an 8 x 11 file, with project name and address visible;
b) Color plans are preferred as they simplify identification of system components and circuits;
c) A summary description of the work to be permitted should be included on the first page of the plans;
d) Note on the plans, AHJ is the City of Richardson, Fire Marshal;
e) Note the applicable codes under which the system is to be reviewed as of this revision date, these include:
i) 2006 International Fire Code, as adopted and amended by the City of Richardson;
[City of Richardson amendments to the 2006 IFC will be available at www.cor.net/Fire, upon adoption.]
ii) Current edition of the applicable NFPA Standard(s);
iii) Other applicable statutes, codes and standards.
f) Plans shall be drawn in a clearly legible, and professional manner;
g) Plans shall indicate the job name, address, suite number, phase and/or description of the job;
h) Plans shall be drawn to scale [1/8=10 preferred] scale shall be indicated;
i) North shall be indicated;
j) A legend identifying each symbol, component, make and model number, and quantity shall be provided;
k) Symbols should conform to the 2006 ed. of NFPA 170, Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols;
l) Construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional;
m) Room names and/or numbers, and room use shall be identified;
n) All walls, doors, door-swings, partitions extending to within 15 percent of the ceiling height, furnishing layout, and
other structural elements which might affect the system design shall be shown;
o) Walls and other significant obstructions should be drawn using solid lines;
p) Systems and components not affecting the permitted system design should not be shown on the submittals;
6) Specific Submittals:
a) Fire alarm systems:
i) In addition to the requirements of NFPA 72, 2007 ed., National Fire Alarm Code, annex A.4.5.1.1, the
following shall be provided:
(1) Calculations for each power supply shall be submitted;
(Show how existing power supplies were determined sufficient, or upgraded to support the modification.)
(2) Point-to-point wiring and end-of-line [EOL] resistors shall be shown on the plans;
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(3) Before requesting final acceptance of the system, the applicant shall furnish a written statement that the
system has been installed in accordance with the approved plans and has been tested in accordance with the
manufacturers published instructions and the appropriate NFPA standards. This statement shall be in one
of the following forms, with the permit number clearly noted:
(a) A letter on the alarm contractors letterhead;
(b) A preprinted form intended for such use; or,
(c) A Record of Completion form in accordance with NFPA 72, 2007 ed., section 4.5.1.2.
ii) In-duct smoke detectors connected to the fire alarm system shall be tested in accordance with the
manufacturers instructions. See document titled, In-Duct Smoke Detector Testing Requirements, at
http://www.cor.net/Fire/FPS_Permits.htm.
b) Fire Sprinkler Systems:
i) Water supplies shall be protected from contamination by a double check assembly (DCA) installed between the
water supply and the fire sprinkler system;
ii) Visual inspections must be scheduled to occur prior to installation of ceiling tiles, or other visual obstructions.
Unauthorized items attached to sprinkler piping must be eliminated prior to approval. Visual inspections
should coincide with the hydrostatic pressure tests, where applicable.
c) Hood Suppression Systems:
i) Show piping, manual-pull, class-K extinguisher [next to/below manual pull], signs, and tank location on plans;
ii) Make-up air, and fuel sources under the hood, must shut-off upon activation exhaust fan(s) remain on;
iii) Include manufacturers nozzle application and installation sheet(s);
iv) Provide appliance descriptions, layouts, and dimensions necessary for proper selection and location of nozzles.
d) Underground Fire Lines:
i) See document titled, Underground Fire Lines, at http://www.cor.net/Fire/FPS_Permits.htm;
ii) Embeddment for water conduits shall comply with City of Richardson Standard Construction Details, at
http://www.cor.net/CapitalProjects/PDF/C-1.pdf.
e) Stationary Storage Battery Systems:
i) Provide sufficient information to show that the system complies with, or is exempt from, each requirement of
Section 608 of the 2006 International Fire Code.
f) Storage of Flammable and Combustible Liquids:
i) Provide sufficient information to show that the system complies with, or is exempt from, each requirement of
Section 3404 of the 2006 International Fire Code, and other applicable sections, codes, standards, and
regulations.
g) Other Systems:
i) Provide sufficient information to show that the system complies with, or is exempt from, each applicable
requirement of the 2006 International Fire Code, and other applicable codes, standards and regulations.
7) Performance-based designs and variances:
a) Permit applications for designs that do not specifically comply with adopted codes and standards shall be submitted
with sufficient documentation to support that the design meets the intent of the codes and standards, and provides a
level of safety equal to or greater than that prescribed.

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