Fire Marshal's Fire Plans Examiner Duties
The Fire Marshal's Fire Plans Examiner is responsible for revieew construction plans for commercial and public accessible buildings and multi-family dwellings to make sure construction materials and methods meet the minimum fire and life safety requirements of the 2018 NC Fire Code, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, and amendments to the fire code as adopted by Guilford County Code of Ordinances. The examiner also issues certificates of occupancy.
Prices are listed below for specific types of review. See our complete list of Fees on the Fire Prevention Fee Schedule.
Using the Fire Marshal's Online Planning, Permitting, and Inspections System
Residents can apply for a permit, or request an inspection for a Group Home, Foster Home, or Daycare via the Fire Marshal's online planning, permitting, and inspections system called Citizen Access Portal. For more information you can go to the Guilford County Enterprise Permitting and Licensing (EPL) Transition Information web page.
Learn more about related requirements for your project by visiting Development Services.
Tab/Accordion Items
- Requirements conform to the 2018 NC Fire Code, as adopted and amended by the Guilford County, and any applicable NFPA standards.
- Guidelines do not replace or supersede any codes and/or ordinances adopted by the Guilford County or any determinations by the Plan Reviewer/Fire Marshal.
- All fire alarm plan submittals must be sealed by a professional engineer (PE). Contact the Plan Reviewer/Fire Marshal for additional guidance.
- All plan submittals and calculations must be accompanied by the appropriate plan review fees.
- Plans are reviewed in the order they were submitted.
- Plan reviews will be completed as soon as possible. Plan revisions, changes, or incomplete submittal packages may delay your final plan approval.
- Any deviation from the approved plans requires a plan resubmittal prior to inspection. Failure to submit revised plans prior to the inspection may result in a delay for inspection and sign-off.
- Building construction plans are not reviewed until the civil plans have been approved.
- Plan approvals give final authorization for construction and are subject to field inspection and verification.
- Plan approvals do not release the contractor or property owner from responsibility of full compliance with all applicable codes and ordinances relating to the construction project.
- NICETT Level 3 or 4 plans are required to be submitted with hydraulic calculations.
- Provide cut sheets on heads and pipe scheduling.
- Owner's information certificate
- If adding, relocating, or moving more than 20 heads requires a plans submittal.
- A set of professionally engineered (PE) signed and sealed plans is required to be submitted.
- If PE signed fire alarm plans are included in the electrical plans for building plan submittal, shop drawings will suffice.
- Battery calculation needs to be included in the plans.
- If adding less than five devices, no plan is required, but field acceptance testing is required.
- If replacing a fire alarm control panel, cut sheets and a review with acceptance test are required.
- When using 2 communication pathways for an alarm system, the secondary method has to be an alternative method (can not be a standard copper telecommunication line).
- Plans showing tank, flow points, nozzles used, and the heights are required to be submitted.
- Plans need to show appliances, pipe sizes, and pull station location.
- Acknowledge the class K extinguisher and interconnection with the fire alarm system, if it is present.
- Plans showing booth dimensions, nozzles, and protection areas are required to be submitted.
- Duct and plenum compliance with NFPA 17.
- Show location of manual pull station.
- Building plans must be submitted.
- Plans showing the site plan with tank location are required to be submitted.
- Cut sheets on the tank with UL listing and secondary containment are required to be submitted.
- Tank installation will be reviewed in accordance with NFPA 30 and 2018 NCIFC Chapters 23 and 57.
- Guilford County Fire Marshal's Office is a 100% witness agency. This means that all tests and inspections have to be witnessed by a representative of GCFMO. A documented test not witnessed will not be accepted.
- It is recommended that systems be tested by the installer prior to contact for a final inspection or test of a system to reduce overall cost to the customer.
- Flushing of underground systems and hydrants shall be done with no less than a 4" line. If the system is less than 4" in size, then the flush shall be of an equal size to the system. If the system is larger than 4", then the system will have to be flushed with a quantity of the greatest demand or 4" line, whichever is greatest.
- Fire alarm test will include all devices affected by the install to include communication verification, notification devices, and detection devices.
- Inspection and testing can be scheduled by call 336-641-7565.
Contact Us
Guilford County Fire Marshal
For questions about TRC/Site Reviews, contact Guilford County Planning and Zoning by phone at 336-641-3334 or by fax at 336-641-3255.
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