Development & Construction​

Overview

The Development and Construction Section is responsible for reviewing construction plans for proposed buildings and facilities, issuing construction permits where applicable, and inspecting those buildings and facilities as they are constructed to ensure compliance with the fire code.

Plan Review Turnaround Times

Our plan review turnaround time goal is to have comments back to the applicant in 5 business days or less, 90% of the time.  Projects with a higher level of complexity or those submitted during times of heavier-than-normal volume may take a bit longer.  To submit a plan for review, use the Accela Permit Portal.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Plan Reviews

We perform OTC reviews for projects where the below criteria are met.  To request this service, when applying in our “Accela Permit Portal” (link below), you must click “Yes” when asked if the project should be reviewed Over the Counter.  When these projects are submitted by 11:00 am, you will receive comments by the end of that business day.

OTC Criteria

  • Emergency replacement of all or part of a fire alarm control panel or dialer (except where the building has a smoke management or smoke control system).
  • Alterations to existing wet-pipe fire sprinkler systems with a light or ordinary hazard design classification that involve up to 50 sprinkler heads and do not impact the hydraulic design.
  • Alterations to existing fire alarm systems involving substitution or relocation of up to 25 alarm devices or the new addition of up to 10 alarm devices.
  • Access control systems involving a maximum of 20 access points.

Construction Inspection Requests

The following guidelines apply to construction inspection requests:

Routine construction inspections must be scheduled via the “Accela Permit Portal” (link below).  Requests received by 4:00 pm will be conducted the next business day unless you requested a later date (you may request up to 5 business days out).

  • The morning of your scheduled inspection, you will receive a call from your inspector giving you an estimated time window when they will be on site.
  • All SMFR-issued permits and approved plans must remain on-site for the duration of the project.  If any of these documents are not present when the inspector arrives on site, the inspection will not be performed, and re-inspection fees may apply.
  • We do not conduct construction inspections involving the activation of fire alarm notification devices in occupied buildings.  If the scope of work requires this, you must request an “After Hours Inspection” at least 2 business days in advance using the link below.  An additional fee will apply in accordance with our current fee schedule.