Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Gwinnett County, Georgia

Quick Answer: Gwinnett County requires fire permits for all fire alarm system installations. Plans must be submitted to Fire Plan Review before permit issuance. Contractors must hold a Georgia Low Voltage Contractor license (LVA or LVU), and NICET certification is typically required. Systems must comply with NFPA 72 (2019 Edition) and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code (2018 Edition).

When Are Permits Required for Fire Alarms in Gwinnett County?

All fire alarm installations in unincorporated Gwinnett County require permits and plan review by the Fire Marshal office.

Projects Requiring Fire Permits

• New fire alarm systems: Complete system installations
• System modifications: Adding devices, zones, or notification appliances
• System replacements: Replacing fire alarm control panels
• Tenant improvements: Fire alarm modifications for new buildouts
• Change of occupancy: Buildings changing use classification
• Retrofits: Adding fire alarm to existing buildings

Applicable Codes

Gwinnett County enforces these fire codes per the Fire Marshal Office:

• NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm Code (2019 Edition)
• NFPA 101: Life Safety Code (2018 Edition)
• International Fire Code: 2018 Edition
• Georgia Rules 120-3-3: State Minimum Fire Safety Standards
• O.C.G.A. Title 25, Chapter 2: Georgia fire safety statutes

Gwinnett County Fire Permit Process

Step 1: Plan Preparation

Prepare complete fire alarm plans including:

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

Step 2: Submit for Plan Review

Submit plans through the Gwinnett County ZIP Portal or in person at:

Gwinnett County Planning and Development
446 West Crogan Street
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Email: Fire.PlanReview@GwinnettCounty.com
Phone: 678-518-6000 (ask for Fire Plan Review)

Step 3: Plan Review

Fire Plan Review examines plans for compliance with NFPA 72 and applicable codes. For fire alarm questions, contact:

Jennifer Folden-Nissen
Phone: 678-518-6116
Email: Jennifer.folden-nissen@gwinnettcounty.com

Step 4: Obtain Permit

After plan approval, purchase fire permit through the ZIP Portal.

Step 5: Installation and Inspections

Gwinnett County requires multiple inspections:

Inspection	When Required	Notes
80% Completion	Before concealing work	Verify rough-in compliance
100% Final	System complete	Full functional testing
Certificate of Occupancy	Before occupancy	Required for building use

Important: Electrical power must be on at the time of final Fire Inspection.

Scheduling Inspections

Schedule through the ZIP Portal or contact:

Fire Marshal Office
Phone: 678-518-4980
Email: firemarshal@gwinnettcounty.com

Georgia Contractor Licensing Requirements

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

License Types for Fire Alarm Work

License	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

While Georgia does not mandate NICET statewide, Gwinnett County and most Georgia jurisdictions expect NICET-certified technicians:

• Plan submittals: Prepared by NICET-certified designer
• On-site work: NICET technician on job site
• Acceptance testing: NICET certification expected

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

Fire Alarm System Requirements

NFPA 72 Compliance

• Detector spacing and placement per NFPA 72
• Notification appliance coverage (audible and visible)
• Visible alarm indicating appliances (strobes) as required
• Primary and secondary power supplies
• Central station monitoring for required occupancies

Testing Period

Gwinnett County allows a 90-day testing period following installation for new fire alarm systems.

Annual Maintenance

Per Georgia Rules 120-3-3, fire alarm systems require:

• Annual inspection and testing
• Current inspection tag displayed
• Documentation maintained on-site

Fees and Timeline

Fees are established in the Gwinnett County Land Development and Other Services Fee Schedule:

Item	Notes
Fire Plan Review	Based on project scope
Fire Permit	Based on system size
Certificate of Occupancy	Required for occupancy
Re-inspection	Additional fee if inspection fails
Variance	If code variance requested

Processing Time: Plan review typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on complexity.

Contact Information

Gwinnett County Fire Plan Review
446 West Crogan Street
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Phone: 678-518-6000
Email: Fire.PlanReview@GwinnettCounty.com

Fire Marshal Office
Phone: 678-518-4980
Email: firemarshal@gwinnettcounty.com

Georgia State Board of Low Voltage Contractors
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217
Phone: (404) 424-9966

Pro Tips from Georgia Fire Alarm Contractors

• Submit complete plans: Incomplete submittals cause delays
• Coordinate early: Fire alarm interfaces with HVAC, elevators, and access control
• Schedule 80% inspection: Before concealing any wiring
• Ensure power is on: Required for final inspection
• Prepare test documentation: Have all test records ready for final
• Train building staff: Provide thorough system operation training
• Allow for 90-day testing: Plan for testing period after installation

Cities Within Gwinnett County

Incorporated cities have separate fire marshal offices:

City	Notes
Lawrenceville	Contact city fire marshal
Duluth	Contact city fire marshal
Snellville	Contact city fire marshal
Suwanee	Contact city fire marshal
Buford	Contact city fire marshal

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

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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 Fulton County, Georgia
• Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Savannah, Georgia
• Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Macon, Georgia