Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Lakewood, Colorado

Quick Answer: Yes, Lakewood requires fire alarm permits for new installations and system modifications. Fire alarm permits are obtained through West Metro Fire Protection District, which serves Lakewood and surrounding areas. All fire alarm plans must be stamped by West Metro Fire before submittal to the City of Lakewood.

West Metro Fire Protection District

West Metro Fire Rescue's Life Safety Division handles fire alarm permitting for Lakewood and surrounding communities:

• City of Lakewood
• City of Golden
• City of Wheat Ridge
• Town of Edgewater
• Town of Morrison
• Sections of Jefferson and Douglas County
• Unincorporated Littleton

The district serves nearly 300,000 residents in the Denver metro area.

When Are Fire Alarm Permits Required?

Fire alarm permits are required for:

• New fire alarm system installations
• Modifications to existing fire alarm systems
• Fire alarm panel replacements or upgrades
• Voice evacuation system installations
• Fire alarm/suppression integration
• New construction with fire alarm requirements

Adopted Fire Codes

Lakewood fire alarm installations must comply with the following codes:

Code	Edition	Notes
International Building Code (IBC)	2015	Base building code
International Fire Code (IFC)	2015	With Appendices B-J
NFPA 72	2013	National Fire Alarm Code
NFPA 13	2013	Sprinkler systems
Lakewood Amendments	Ch. 14.24	Local modifications

Note: Always verify current code editions with West Metro Fire, as adoptions may have been updated.

Permit Application Process

1. Submit Request: Complete fire alarm permit application through West Metro Fire
2. Plan Review: Assistant Fire Marshal reviews the request
3. Invoice: Invoice is generated and emailed for payment
4. West Metro Stamp: Approved plans are stamped by West Metro Fire
5. City Submittal: Submit stamped plans to City of Lakewood through eTRAKiT
6. Installation: Perform work per approved plans
7. Inspections: Schedule inspections through West Metro and City

Documentation Requirements

Fire alarm permit applications typically require:

• Fire alarm system plans
• Riser diagrams
• Device layouts
• Battery calculations
• Voltage drop calculations
• Sequence of operations
• Equipment specifications

Contractor Licensing Requirements

License Type	Requirement	Issuing Agency
Fire Alarm Contractor	Required	Verify with West Metro/Lakewood
Colorado Electrical License	May be required	DORA State Electrical Board
Lakewood Contractor Registration	May be required	City of Lakewood

City of Lakewood Building Permit Integration

Fire alarm work in Lakewood requires coordination with both West Metro Fire and the City:

• Building permit applications submitted through eTRAKiT
• Plans must be stamped by Colorado licensed design professional
• Plans must be stamped by West Metro Fire Protection District BEFORE city submittal
• Inspections scheduled through both entities

Life Safety Division Services

West Metro's Life Safety Division provides:

• Code compliance resources
• Fire investigation
• Plan review for new and existing structures
• Special event permits
• Community education and risk reduction programs

Residential vs. Commercial Requirements

Residential Fire Alarms

• Single-family homes typically require smoke detectors per building code
• Multi-family residential with fire alarm systems requires permits
• New construction must meet current code requirements

Commercial Fire Alarms

• All commercial fire alarm installations require permits
• West Metro Fire stamp required before city submittal
• Coordination between West Metro and City of Lakewood
• NFPA 72 compliance mandatory

Pro Tips from Contractors

• Get West Metro approval first: Plans must be stamped before city submittal—don't reverse the order
• Know the code editions: Lakewood uses 2013 NFPA 72 and 2015 IFC—verify current adoptions
• Use eTRAKiT: City building permits are submitted through this online system
• Plan for dual inspections: Both West Metro and City may require inspections
• Check Lakewood amendments: Chapter 14.24 has local modifications to base codes

Contact Information

West Metro Fire Protection District - Life Safety Division
433 S. Allison Pkwy
Lakewood, CO 80226
Website: westmetrofire.org/forms-permits

City of Lakewood Building Permits
Phone: (303) 987-7500
Website: lakewood.org/Building-Permits

Colorado State Electrical Board
Phone: (303) 894-7800
Website: dpo.colorado.gov/Electrical

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

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Related Guides

• Colorado Low Voltage Contractor Licensing Guide
• Lakewood Security Camera Permit Requirements
• Denver Fire Alarm Permit Requirements