Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Chesterfield County, Virginia
Join Low Voltage Nation — Find project opportunities and showcase your company to thousands of industry professionals
Chesterfield County requires fire alarm permits through Building Official with Fire Marshal review. ELM portal for commercial fire auxiliary permits. Virginia DPOR FAS license required.
Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Chesterfield County, Virginia
Quick Answer: Chesterfield County requires building permits for fire alarm system installations through the Building Official and Community Development departments. Fire auxiliary permits are processed through the ELM (Enterprise Land Management) portal. The Fire Marshal Office reviews plans for code compliance.
When Are Permits Required?
Under Chesterfield County Code Chapter 10 - Fire Prevention, permits are required for fire protection systems:
Permits Required:
- New fire alarm system installations
- Modifications to existing fire alarm systems
- Fire alarm monitoring additions
- Central station connections
- Duct detector installations
- Smoke control system installations
Important Note:
Fire alarm systems are handled separately from security alarm systems in Chesterfield County. The security alarm permit program (30-day registration, CryWolf portal) does NOT apply to fire alarms.
Permit Application Process
Step 1: Prepare Fire Auxiliary Documentation
The Fire and Life Safety division provides fire auxiliary checklists to assist with plan submission:
- Work with building code requirements
- Ensure basic requirements are met
- Reduce chance of plan rejection
- Contact Fire and Life Safety for checklists
Step 2: Submit Through ELM Portal
Chesterfield County uses the Enterprise Land Management (ELM) citizen access portal for:
- Permitting and inspections
- Commercial plan review
- Commercial fire auxiliary permits
- Inspection scheduling and remarks
Step 3: Fire Marshal Review
The Fire Marshal Office reviews plans and enforces:
- State and county fire codes
- Fire protection system compliance
- NFPA 72 requirements
Contact Information:
Fire and Life Safety / Fire Marshal Office
Phone: (804) 748-1426
Mailing: P.O. Box 40, Chesterfield, VA 23832
Chesterfield County Building Inspection
9901 Lori Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832
Phone: (804) 748-1057
Virginia Contractor Licensing Requirements
Fire alarm contractors in Chesterfield County must hold proper DPOR licensing:
DPOR Fire Alarm Systems (FAS) License
The Virginia DPOR requires FAS specialty licensing:
| License Class | Experience | Contract Limit | Net Worth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A | 5 years | Unlimited | $45,000 |
| Class B | 3 years | $120,000 | $15,000 |
| Class C | 2 years | $10,000 | None |
Exam Requirements:
- Class A: General, Virginia, and Advanced portions
- Class B: General and Virginia portions
- Class C: Trade exam only
Pre-license education (8 hours) required. NFPA 72 is key reference material.
For complete Virginia licensing requirements, see our Virginia Low Voltage License Guide.
Permit Fees and Timeline
| Service | Fee | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Alarm Permit | Based on project scope | 5-10 business days |
| Plan Review | Included in permit | Varies by complexity |
| Inspection | Included in permit | Schedule after installation |
| Re-inspection | Additional fee may apply | As needed |
Fire Marshal Authority
The Chesterfield County Fire Marshal enforces:
- State and county fire codes
- Fire protection system requirements
- Fire investigation responsibilities
- Hazardous materials regulations
- Blasting and explosive storage
- Open burning regulations
Residential vs Commercial Requirements
Residential Installations
- Permit required for new fire alarm systems
- Must comply with Virginia Fire Prevention Code
- DPOR-licensed contractor required
- Inspection before occupancy
Commercial Installations
- Fire auxiliary permit required through ELM portal
- Fire Marshal review of plans
- Full NFPA 72 compliance
- Central station monitoring typically required
- Annual inspection requirements may apply
Inspection Requirements
Pre-Inspection Checklist:
- System fully installed and operational
- All devices properly labeled
- As-built drawings available
- Equipment cut sheets on site
- Central station communication verified
What Inspectors Verify:
- Installation matches approved plans
- Device spacing per NFPA 72
- Proper notification and annunciation
- Central station communication
- Documentation completeness
Pro Tips from Experienced Contractors
Use fire auxiliary checklists. Chesterfield County provides checklists specifically to help prepare submissions. Using them reduces rejections and speeds approval.
Contact Building Official for permits. Per Virginia State Fire Marshal guidance, the local Building Official handles fire alarm permits - not the state. Start with Chesterfield County Building Inspection.
Submit through ELM portal. Commercial fire auxiliary permits are processed through the Enterprise Land Management system. Familiarize yourself with the portal for efficient submissions.
Understand the distinction. Fire alarms and security alarms have completely separate permit processes in Chesterfield County. Do not confuse the security alarm CryWolf registration with fire alarm building permits.
Pre-test before inspection. Fire Marshal inspectors expect functional systems. Test everything before scheduling acceptance inspection to avoid delays and re-inspection fees.
Stay Ahead of Permit Activity
Want to know when fire alarm projects hit permits in Chesterfield County before they reach bid boards?
LVN Signal monitors permit activity across Virginia and alerts you to opportunities the moment they are filed.
Related Permit Guides
Tags
Join 35,000+ Low Voltage Pros
Get weekly permit updates, tool deals, job opportunities, and industry news. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.