Office of the Fire Marshal

CONTACT INFORMATION: Office Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, Lobby Hours: 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday
703-246-4800 TTY 711
12099 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
John Walser
Assistant Chief, Fire Official - 703-246-4753

Department Resources

Related Resources

Fire Marshal Installation Permit Requirements

The Office of the Fire Marshal administers installation permits in support of new or altered commercial projects and for the maintenance of existing systems and components through the Fire Protection Systems Branch (Acceptance Testing).

 

INSTALLATION PERMITS

Virginia Construction Code-Related Installations

The Office of the Fire Marshal is authorized to act on behalf of the Fairfax County Building Official (LDS) regarding enforcement of select chapters of the 2021 Virginia Construction Code (VCC), which includes processing and issuing installation permits related to the following:

  • Fire Protection Equipment and Systems.  Includes fire alarm and detection, fire pump, fire sprinkler, standpipe, private fire service main (underground /aboveground), smoke control, fire protection supervisory, and alternative fire-extinguishing systems. For clarification about installation permit requirements related to periodic maintenance and simple repairs to defective existing fire protection systems and equipment, please consult the following letter to community and industry:
  • Special Locking Arrangements.  Generally, includes only installations and/or modifications associated with access-controlled egress doors (VCC 1010.2.10), delayed egress (VCC 1010.2.13), door hardware release of electronically locked egress doors (VCC 1010.2.11), locking arrangements in correctional facilities (VCC 408.4 / 1010.2.7), stairway doors (VCC 403.5.3 / 1010.2.7), and Group I-2 special locking arrangements (VCC 407.10). Questions related to special locking arrangements should be directed to the Engineering Plans Review Branch at 703-246-4806. 
  • Fuel Storage Tanks.  Includes the installation, repair, upgrade, and closure of underground and aboveground storage tanks under the Virginia State Water Control Board regulations 9 VAC 25-91 and 9 VAC 25-580.  Plans, permits (plumbing/mechanical/electrical), and inspections shall be required from Land Development Services (LDS) for service piping, branch line piping, and equipment served. Contact 703-324-1555, TTY 703-324-1877 (Permits and Application), 703-222-0114, TTY 711 (Building Plan Review), or 703-324-1910, TTY 711 (Commercial Inspections). Fuel Storage Tank Permitting Matrix

 

Fire Department Access and Fire Lane Installations

  • Construction Projects.  Fire department access requirements for new construction projects can be found in Section 9-0202.2J of the Public Facilities Manual (PFM) and Chapter 5 of the Fire Prevention Code including County amendments to Chapter 5. Questions related to fire department access technical requirements/specifications, permits, and related site plans for new construction projects should be directed to the Engineering Plans Review Branch at 703-246-4806.
  • Fire Lane Installations.  Requirements and specifications for fire lane installations can be found in Chapter 5 of the Fire Prevention Code including County amendments to Chapter 5. Questions related to the installation of new fire lanes or modification of existing fire lanes should be directed to the fire lanes inspector at 703-246-4871 or 246-4865.
  • Fire Department Key Boxes.  Although an installation permit is not required, all buildings with the exception of single-family dwellings shall provide a fire department building access system. For detailed information about fire department key boxes, visit the Fire Department Key Box requirements area of our web site.

 

 

Apply for a Permit 
 

Installation permits were previously known as construction permits; however, the title was changed to "installation permit" to avoid confusion with building and trade permits issued by Land Development Services (LDS). Once issued, installation permits allow the permit applicant (i.e., licensed contractor) to install or modify equipment and systems regulated by the Virginia Construction Code (VCC) for which a permit and/or approval is required, in addition to applicable sections of the Fire Prevention Code and the water and fire regulations section of the Public Facilities Manual (PFM).

Installation Permit Fees. For a complete list of permit application and plan review fees associated with installation permits, consult the billable services and fees section of our web site. 

 

Have Questions About Installation Permits?

  • Fuel Storage Tank Installation, Repair, Upgrade, and Closure Requirements >> Call the Fire Inspections Branch at 703-246-4849
  • Fire Protection Equipment and Systems Permit Requirements and Inspections >> Call the Fire Protection Systems Branch at 703-246-4821
  • Permit Application Process and Fees >> Call the Revenue and Records Branch at 703-246-4803
  • Plan Submittal/Review Information >> Call the Engineering Plans Review Branch at 703-246-4806

Construction Permit Requirement Letter to Industry

Guidelines for Installation Applications in PLUS

The Alternative Fire Extinguishing Systems record is required by the Office of the Fire Marshal when a member of the public wants to install, modify, or demolish the following suppression system types:

  • Aerosol (NFPA 2010)
  • Automatic Water Mist (NFPA 750)
  • Carbon Dioxide (NFPA 12)
  • Clean-Agent (NFPA 2001)
  • Dry-Chemical (NFPA 17)
  • Foam (NFPA 11 & 16)
  • Halon (NFPA 12A)
  • Wet-Chemical (NFPA 17A)

For step-by-step instructions to submit an Alternative Fire Extinguishing Systems record, click HERE.

The Door Locks record is required by the Office of the Fire Marshal when a member of the public wants to install, modify, or demolish Delayed Egress, Electrically-locked Egress, Stairway, or Sensor Release Egress door locks.

For step-by-step instructions to submit a Door Lock record, click HERE.

The Fire Alarm record is required by the Office of the Fire Marshal when a member of the public wants to install, modify, or demolish a Fire Alarm or Central Station system.

For step-by-step instructions to submit a Fire Alarm record, click HERE.

The Fire Lane record is required by the Office of the Fire Marshal when a member of the public wants to install, modify, or refresh curb/pavement markings, post/building mounted signage, or vehicular access control.

For step-by-step instructions to submit a Fire Lane record, click HERE.

The Site/Building Fire Review for Towns and Site Exceptions record is required by the Office of the Fire Marshal when a member of the public whose project address in within the Town of Herndon (TOH) jurisdiction needs the Fire Plan Review as a support to their construction permit submitted to the TOH Department of Public Works.  Additionally, exceptions apply when the review is not for a new site plan or new construction, only review by the Fire Marshal is required, the area being disturbed is less than 2500 sq ft and there is not an open bond on the parcel.

For step-by-step instructions to submit a Site/Building Fire Review for Towns and Site Exceptions record, click HERE.

The Smoke Control record is required by the Office of the Fire Marshal when building design includes smoke control systems and used as a mechanism to submit required documents for approval.

For step-by-step instructions to submit a Fire Plan Review Amendment record, click HERE.

The Sprinkler System or Standpipe System record is required by the Office of the Fire Marshal when a member of the public wants to install, modify, or demolish one of these systems and their components within a Commercial and/or Residential property. Components include Pumps, Pressure Regulating Hose Valves, Pressure Regulating Devices, and Backflow Preventers.

For step-by-step instructions to submit a Sprinkler System or Standpipe System record, click HERE.

The Storage - High-piled/Other record is required by the Office of the Fire Marshal when a member of the public requests a review for High-piled, Lumber Yard/Agro-Industrial/Biomass, Indoor, Other, or Installation or Modification of a propane cylinder exchange station.

For step-by-step instructions to submit a Storage - High-piled/Other record, click HERE.

The Storage Tank - Install record is required by the Office of the Fire Marshal when a member of the public wants to install a new, permanent storage tank, install a portable, temporary storage tank, relocate an existing tank, modify existing tank lines or dispensing equipment, or make a tank change to a higher hazard.

For step-by-step instructions to submit a Storage Tank – Install record, click HERE.

The Underground Line is required by the Office of the Fire Marshal when a member of the public wants to install, modify, or demolish Fire Service Line piping, Freestanding FDC, Private Hydrants, or Water Supply Systems.

For step-by-step instructions to submit an Underground Line record, click HERE.

The Fire Plan Review Amendment is required by the Office of the Fire Marshal when a member of the public has approved plans and wants to revise them.

For step-by-step instructions to submit a Fire Plan Review Amendment record, click HERE.

The Fire Code Modification record is used to make a request to modify a code provision related to Aerial Ladder Access, Fire Department Access, Fire Lane, etc. from the Statewide Fire Prevention Code, Chapter 62 of the Code of Fairfax County, or the fire protection related provisions of the Public Facilities Manual.

For step-by-step instructions to submit a Fire Code Modification record, click HERE.

Close
Fairfax Virtual Assistant

Related Resources