Drawing Submissions to Fire Marshal's Office

Shop drawings for fire protection systems, such as fire sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems, are required to be submitted for review and approval, prior to system installation. The Office of the Fire Marshal, Engineering Plans Review Branch oversees this program. Shop drawings can be submitted any time after a building permit has been applied for. The building permit does not need to be approved prior to the shop drawing submittal. While this practice has been in place for many years, it has come to our attention that this may not be well known or regularly practiced.

We recommend submitting shop drawings as soon as possible after the submission of the building permit application.  This helps to ensure adequate time to receive a permit to begin construction of these critical life safety features.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact John Walser at 703-246-4889.