Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Fulton County, Georgia

Quick Answer: Fulton County requires permits for fire alarm system installations, with plans reviewed by the Fire Marshal. Contractors must hold a Georgia Low Voltage Contractor license (LVA or LVU) and NICET certification is typically required for commercial projects. Systems must comply with NFPA 72 and the Georgia State Minimum Fire Safety Standards.

When Are Permits Required for Fire Alarms in Fulton County?

Fire alarm installations in Fulton County require permits due to life safety implications. The Fire Marshal reviews all fire alarm plans to ensure compliance with Georgia fire codes.

Projects Requiring Permits

• New fire alarm systems: Complete system installations in commercial, industrial, or multi-family buildings
• System replacements: Replacing existing fire alarm control panels or major components
• System expansions: Adding detection devices, notification appliances, or zones
• Tenant improvements: Fire alarm modifications for new tenant buildouts
• Change of occupancy: Buildings changing use that affect fire alarm requirements
• Retrofits: Adding fire alarm systems to existing buildings

Potentially Exempt Work

• Like-for-like device replacements (same type and location)
• Battery replacements
• Minor repairs not affecting system design
• Residential smoke detector replacements in single-family homes

Important: Fulton County includes multiple municipalities. Each city (Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, South Fulton, Milton) has its own Fire Marshal office. This guide covers unincorporated Fulton County. Verify jurisdiction before starting any project.

Georgia Fire Alarm Codes and Standards

Fulton County enforces the Georgia State Minimum Fire Safety Standards, which include:

Applicable Codes

• NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (primary installation standard)
• International Fire Code: With Georgia amendments
• NFPA 101: Life Safety Code
• Georgia Rules 120-3-3: State Minimum Fire Safety Standards

Key Technical Requirements

Requirement	Standard	Notes
Power Supply	Building electrical with 24-hour standby	1.5 hour minimum for systems after April 1992
Detector Installation	NFPA 72 spacing and placement	Listed devices required
Notification Appliances	NFPA 72 audibility and visibility	ADA compliance required
Monitoring	UL-listed central station	Required for most commercial occupancies
Interconnection	Corridor smoke detectors to FACP	Required per Georgia code

Contractor Licensing Requirements

Georgia requires proper licensing for fire alarm work under O.C.G.A. 43-14.

Georgia Low Voltage License

License Type	Code	Fire Alarm Work
Unrestricted	LVU	All fire alarm work permitted
Alarm	LVA	Fire alarm systems permitted
General	LVG	Not permitted for fire alarms
Telecommunications	LVT	Not permitted for fire alarms

NICET Certification Requirements

While Georgia does not mandate NICET certification statewide, most jurisdictions including Fulton County require or strongly prefer NICET-certified technicians:

• Plan submittals: Often require NICET-certified designer
• On-site supervision: NICET-certified technician typically required on job site
• Inspection and testing: NICET certification expected for acceptance testing
• Company requirement: Many jurisdictions require at least one NICET Level III or IV on staff

NICET Fire Alarm Certification Levels

Level	Typical Responsibilities
Level I	Entry-level installation work under supervision
Level II	Installation, basic troubleshooting, limited design
Level III	System design, project management, plan review
Level IV	Complex system design, code consultation, expert witness

For detailed licensing information, see our Georgia Low Voltage Contractor License Guide.

Fulton County Permit Process

Step 1: Plan Preparation

Prepare complete fire alarm plans including:

• Floor plans showing all device locations
• Riser diagrams
• Equipment specifications and cut sheets
• Battery calculations
• Voltage drop calculations
• Notification appliance circuit calculations
• Sequence of operations
• Point-to-point wiring diagrams

Step 2: Submit for Review

Submit plans to the appropriate authority:

• Unincorporated Fulton County: Fulton County Public Works
• State buildings: Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire
• Municipalities: Contact local Fire Marshal office

Step 3: Plan Review

The Fire Marshal reviews plans for code compliance. Common review items include:

• Device spacing and coverage
• Notification appliance placement and coverage
• Power supply adequacy
• Monitoring requirements
• Integration with other building systems
• Emergency voice/alarm communication (if required)

Step 4: Obtain Permit

Once plans are approved, obtain the fire alarm permit before beginning installation.

Step 5: Installation and Inspection

Schedule inspections at required phases:

• Rough-in inspection: Before concealing wiring
• Final inspection: System complete and operational
• Acceptance testing: Witnessed functional testing per NFPA 72

Inspection and Testing Requirements

Acceptance Testing

New fire alarm systems require comprehensive acceptance testing per NFPA 72 Chapter 14:

• 100% device testing
• All initiating devices verified
• All notification appliances verified
• Sequence of operations confirmed
• Central station communication tested
• Secondary power tested
• Documentation provided to owner

Annual Inspections

Fire alarm systems require ongoing inspection and testing:

• Visual inspection: Monthly by owner, annually by qualified technician
• Functional testing: Per NFPA 72 Table 14.4.3.2
• Sensitivity testing: Smoke detectors within first year, then every alternate year
• Documentation maintained on-site

Municipal Fire Marshal Contacts

Fire alarm permits in Fulton County municipalities are handled by local Fire Marshal offices:

Municipality	Contact
Atlanta	Atlanta Fire Marshal
South Fulton	South Fulton Fire Marshal
Roswell	Roswell Fire Marshal
Alpharetta	Alpharetta Fire Inspections
Sandy Springs	Contact City Fire Department
Johns Creek	Contact City Fire Department

Georgia State Fire Marshal
Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner

Fees and Timeline

Item	Typical Range	Notes
Plan Review	Varies by project size	Based on system complexity
Fire Alarm Permit	Varies by valuation	Percentage of project value
Inspection Fees	Included or separate	Varies by jurisdiction
Re-inspection	Additional fee	If initial inspection fails

Timeline: Plan review typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on project complexity and jurisdiction backlog.

Residential vs. Commercial Requirements

Residential Fire Alarms

• Single-family homes require smoke alarms per Georgia Code 25-2-40
• Interconnected smoke alarms required in new construction
• Battery backup required
• Permits generally not required for smoke alarm installation
• Multi-family buildings (3+ units) require commercial-grade systems

Commercial Fire Alarms

• Permits required for all new systems and modifications
• Plans must be prepared by qualified designer
• NICET certification typically required
• Central station monitoring required for most occupancies
• Annual inspection and testing required
• Fire watch required during system impairments

Pro Tips from Georgia Fire Alarm Contractors

• Verify AHJ early: Confirm which Fire Marshal has jurisdiction before starting design
• Pre-application meeting: Complex projects benefit from early coordination with the Fire Marshal
• Complete submittals: Incomplete plans cause delays - include all required calculations and specs
• Coordinate early: Fire alarm often interfaces with HVAC, elevators, and access control - coordinate early
• Document everything: Maintain comprehensive as-built drawings and test records
• Train building staff: Provide thorough training on system operation and maintenance
• Plan for testing: Schedule acceptance testing when building is ready for occupancy

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Related Permit Guides

• Georgia Low Voltage Contractor License Guide
• Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Atlanta, Georgia
• Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Savannah, Georgia
• Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Augusta, Georgia
• Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Macon, Georgia