Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Henrico County, Virginia

Quick Answer: Henrico County requires building permits for fire alarm system installations through the Building Inspections Department. The Fire Marshal Office reviews plans for code compliance under the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code. Virginia DPOR FAS contractor licensing is mandatory.

When Are Permits Required?

Under the Henrico County Code Chapter 11 - Fire Prevention and Protection, 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

Fire Marshal Authority:

The Statewide Fire Prevention Code and county fire chapter provisions are enforced by the fire chief or designee. The Henrico County Division of Fire Fire Marshal Office handles:

• Plan of Development Review
• Fire protection system plan review
• Code compliance inspections
• KNOX-BOX Rapid Entry System coordination

Permit Application Process

Step 1: Contact Building Inspections

Per Virginia State Fire Marshal guidance, the Building Official in each locality handles plan review and permitting. Contact Henrico County Building Inspections to initiate the permit process.

Step 2: Submit Plans for Review

• Fire alarm system layout and device locations
• Equipment specifications and cut sheets
• Conductor sizing and circuit diagrams
• Central station monitoring information
• Contractor license documentation

Step 3: Fire Marshal Review

• Plans reviewed for Virginia Fire Prevention Code compliance
• NFPA 72 requirements verified
• Coordination with building permit if applicable

Step 4: Permit Issuance and Inspection

• Obtain permit before beginning work
• Schedule inspections as required
• Final acceptance testing with inspector

Contact Information:

Henrico County Building Inspections
4301 East Parham Road
Henrico, VA 23228
Phone: (804) 501-4360

Henrico County Division of Fire
Fire Marshal Office
Phone: (804) 501-4900
Email: fire@henrico.gov

Virginia Contractor Licensing Requirements

Fire alarm contractors in Henrico 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 exams.

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

Alarm Registration

Monitored fire alarm systems must also be registered with the Henrico County Police Division:

• Registration is FREE
• Provides emergency contact information
• First false alarm free
• Ensures proper emergency response

Residential vs Commercial Requirements

Residential Installations

• Permit required for new fire alarm systems
• Alarm registration required for monitored systems
• Must comply with Virginia Fire Prevention Code
• DPOR-licensed contractor required

Commercial Installations

• Building permit and Fire Marshal review required
• Full NFPA 72 compliance
• Central station monitoring typically required
• Annual inspection requirements may apply
• KNOX-BOX installation may be required

KNOX-BOX Requirements

Henrico County Fire Marshal coordinates the KNOX-BOX Rapid Entry System:

• Required for commercial buildings per code
• Provides emergency access for fire department
• Installed near main entrance
• Coordinates with fire alarm system

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

Contact Building Inspections first. Virginia State Fire Marshal does not issue permits - the local Building Official handles this. Start with Henrico County Building Inspections for permit requirements.

Coordinate alarm registration. Fire alarm systems that trigger emergency response need separate registration with Police Division. Complete both processes for full compliance.

Plan for KNOX-BOX. Commercial projects typically require KNOX-BOX installation. Coordinate location with Fire Marshal during plan review to avoid delays.

Pre-test before inspection. Fire Marshal inspectors expect functional systems at acceptance testing. Test everything before scheduling the inspection.

Keep documentation current. Maintain as-built drawings, cut sheets, and testing records. Inspectors review documentation thoroughly during acceptance.

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

Want to know when fire alarm projects hit permits in Henrico County before they reach bid boards?

LVN Signal monitors permit activity across Virginia and alerts you to opportunities the moment they are filed.

→ Explore LVN Signal

Related Permit Guides

• Virginia Low Voltage License Requirements
• Browse All Permit Guides