Fire Sprinkler and Alarm Permit in University Place, Washington

University Place requires a fire sprinkler and alarm permit for: “The 2021 Edition of the International Fire Code, including Appendix B” (UPMC 14.05.030), with amendments running to roughly half of Chapter 14.05; Sprinkler thresholds are lowered to 5,000 sq ft across Groups A-1 to A-4, B, E, F, M and S; 2,500 sq ft for two named uses; Alarm systems with 30+ actuating devices must be ADDRESSABLE; more than 75 smoke detectors or 200 total devices must be ANALOG INTELLIGENT; Existing systems are exempt unless a remodel or expansion exceeds 30 percent; above 50 percent, compliance is required “within 18 months of permit application”; A fire alarm panel must report a signal's location “written in English, not code” (added IFC 907.1.4); Where a new building has a suppression system, an occupant notification alarm system must also be installed — including tenant improvements in sprinklered buildings (IFC 907.5 as amended). If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of University Place at (253) 566-5656 before starting work.

In University Place, the published Permit fee is: Set by city council fee resolution. Additional published fees: False alarm response — Chargeable after 2 in any 90 days; Fire watch — Facility pays per the fee schedule. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

University Place does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of University Place at (253) 566-5656 for current turnaround.

Depending on your project, University Place may also ask for: Sprinkler System Plans; Fire Alarm System Plans; Fire Apparatus Access Plan. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Apply through City of University Place at 3609 Market Place West, Suite 200, University Place, WA 98466. Phone: (253) 566-5656. Official information: https://www.cityofup.com/.

University Place, Washington has adopted: UPMC 14.05.030 opens: “The following codes are hereby adopted by this reference as if fully set forth in this chapter and as specifically modified or amended as set forth in this chapter:”; IBC — “The 2021 Edition of the International Building Code, including Appendix E, and ICC/ANSI A117.1-2017, and the 2021 International Existing Building Code and International Swimming Pool and Spa Code published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted b…” (extract ends there). Three codes and an accessibility standard in one sentence.; IRC — “The 2021 Edition of the International Residential Code including Appendices F, Q and U as published by the International Code Council is hereby adopted as amended by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-51 WAC…” Appendices F (Radon), Q (Tiny Houses) and U (Dwelling Unit Fire Sprinkler Systems) — the same three Issaquah takes, where Lake Stevens takes only F and Q.; IMC / FUEL GAS — “The 2021 Edition of the International Mechanical Code, including adoption of and amendments to the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54), published by the International Code Council, and the 2021 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code (NFPA 58), published by the National Fire Protection Association, is hereby adopted by reference with the exceptions noted in Chapter 5152 WAC.” NOTE TWO THINGS AS PUBLISHED: NFPA 58 is named at 2021 here, and the WAC chapter is printed “5152” without its hyphen.; IFC — “The 2021 Edition of the International Fire Code, including Appendix B, published by the International Code Council is hereby adopted by reference with the additions, deletions, and exceptions co…” and those amendments run to roughly half the chapter.; UPC — “The 2021 Edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code, including Appendices A, B, I and M, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, is hereby adopted by reference with the additions, deletions and exceptions contained in Chapter 51-56 WAC.” Four appendices, where Lake Stevens takes A, B and I.; ENERGY — “The 2021 Edition of the Washington State Energy Code, including commercial and residential provisions and appendices, is hereby adopted by reference with the additions, deletions and exceptions contained in Chapters 51-11C and 51-11R WAC.”; NO ELECTRICAL CODE APPEARS in the UPMC 14.05.030 list as read. The absence is bounded: the adoption paragraphs were read in sequence and cover the IBC/IEBC/ISPSC, IRC, IMC/IFGC/NFPA 58, IFC, UPC and energy code. Electrical permitting in Washington is the Department of Labor and Industries' under Chapter 19.28 RCW; this entry does not establish the arrangement for University Place.; NOT OPENED FOR THIS ENTRY: UPMC 14.10 (Moving of Buildings), 14.15 (Flood Damage Prevention), 14.20 (RETAINING WALLS — a whole chapter, §§ 14.20.010–.080, unusual to find separated out), UPMC 14.05.090 (Administrative provisions), 14.05.100 (Building code amendments), 14.05.120 (Penalties and enforcement), 14.05.130 (Liability), 14.05.140 (Hearings Examiner) and UPMC § 9.05.040, which the construction-hours section cross-references.. Local amendments apply — see the University Place overview page for the full list.

It depends on how many devices you have, not on building size. Added IFC Section 907.1.5 provides that “all alarm systems, new or replacement, serving 30 or more alarm actuating devices, shall be addressable fire detection systems”, and that systems “serving more than seventy-five (75) smoke detectors or more than 200 total alarm activating devices shall be analog intelligent fire detection systems.” Existing systems need not comply unless a remodel or expansion exceeds 30 percent of the building, and where it exceeds 50 percent “the building must comply within 18 months of permit application.” Added Section 907.1.4 also requires the panel to give a signal's location “written in English, not code”.