Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in McKinney, Texas

# Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in McKinney, Texas **Quick Answer:** Fire alarm installations in McKinney, Texas require permits from the McKinney Fire Marshal's Office. Contractors must hold a Texas State Fire Marshal Office (SFMO) license. Plans must be signed by an Alarm Planning Superintendent (APS). ## Do I Need a Permit for Fire Alarm Work in McKinney? Yes. McKinney requires fire alarm permits for all installation and modification work: - **New fire alarm installations** - Commercial, multi-family, and industrial - **System modifications** - Adding, relocating, or removing devices - **Panel replacements** - Even same-for-same replacements - **Annunciator installations** - Remote displays and graphics - **Integration work** - Elevator recall, HVAC shutdown, door release ## McKinney Fire Code (2024 IFC) McKinney adopted the **2024 International Fire Code** which references NFPA 72 for fire alarm requirements: ### Key Requirements - **Central station monitoring** required for commercial occupancies - **Voice evacuation** in high-rise and assembly occupancies - **Emergency responder radio coverage** in new construction - **Fire command center** in high-rise buildings ## Permit Application Process ### Step 1: Submit Plans to Fire Marshal Before construction permit, submit fire alarm plans for review: **Required Plan Elements:** - Floor plans with device layouts (1/8" scale minimum) - Riser diagram showing all devices and connections - Equipment specifications and cut sheets - Battery and voltage drop calculations - Sequence of operations document - **APS signature** (Alarm Planning Superintendent) ### Step 2: Plan Review - **Standard review:** 5-10 business days - **Complex projects:** May require additional time - **Corrections:** Respond within 30 days to maintain active review ### Step 3: Obtain Construction Permit After fire alarm plan approval: - Apply for electrical/building permit - Reference approved fire alarm plans - Pay applicable permit fees ### Step 4: Inspections - **Rough-in inspection** before concealment - **Final inspection** with full system test ## Texas SFMO Licensing Requirements ### Required Licenses All fire alarm contractors must hold SFMO licenses: - **Alarm Planning Superintendent (APS)** - Signs all plans - **Fire Alarm Superintendent (FAP)** - Oversees installations - **Fire Alarm Technician (FAT)** - Performs installations ### APS Signature Requirement McKinney requires all fire alarm plans bear the signature of a licensed Alarm Planning Superintendent. This is verified during plan review. ### Continuing Education SFMO licenses require continuing education for renewal. Maintain documentation of CE credits. ## NFPA 72 Compliance McKinney enforces NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code): ### Device Spacing - Smoke detector coverage per ceiling height - Heat detector spacing per temperature rating - Notification appliance audibility (15 dB above ambient) - Voice intelligibility requirements ### Secondary Power - 24-hour standby plus 5 minutes alarm minimum - Larger standby for certain occupancies - Generator transfer switching requirements ### Documentation - Record of completion required - Acceptance test documentation - As-built drawings for building owner ## Inspection Process ### Rough-In Inspection Schedule before closing walls: - Verify device mounting heights - Check conduit and junction box placement - Confirm fire stopping at penetrations - Inspect supervision of wiring ### Final Inspection Complete system acceptance: - **100% functional test** of all devices - **Audibility test** with measurements - **Secondary power test** (full battery load) - **Central station communication** verification - **Record of completion** submission ## Permit Fees | Service | Typical Fee | |---------|-------------| | Plan Review | Based on project valuation | | Construction Permit | Based on valuation | | Re-inspection | $50+ | | After-hours inspection | Premium rates | ## False Alarm Prevention McKinney enforces false alarm ordinances: ### Best Practices - Use appropriate detector types for environment - Implement construction mode during renovation - Train building personnel on system operation - Coordinate with monitoring company on hold protocols ### Penalties Excessive false alarms result in fines and potential permit revocation. Document all alarm causes and corrections. ## Pro Tips for McKinney Fire Alarm Projects 1. **APS Signature Required** - Ensure licensed APS signs all submitted plans 2. **Use 2024 Codes** - McKinney has adopted latest code cycle 3. **Submit Complete Packages** - Missing calculations delay review 4. **Schedule Inspections Early** - McKinney inspectors are busy ## Timeline | Phase | Duration | |-------|----------| | Plan Review | 5-10 business days | | Permit Issuance | 1-2 days after approval | | Inspection Scheduling | 24-48 hours | | Final Acceptance | Same day if passed | ## Contact Information **McKinney Fire Marshal's Office** - Phone: (972) 547-2850 - Address: 2400 S. Central Expressway, McKinney, TX 75070 **McKinney Development Services** - Permit Portal: City website - Phone: (972) 547-7480 **Texas State Fire Marshal Office** - Website: www.tdi.texas.gov/fire - Phone: (512) 676-6000 ## Stay Ahead of Permit Activity Want to know when fire alarm projects hit permits in McKinney before they reach bid boards? [LVN Signal](https://www.lowvoltagenation.com/signal) monitors permit activity across Texas and alerts you to opportunities the moment they are filed. → [Explore Signal](https://www.lowvoltagenation.com/signal) --- *Last verified: January 2026. Requirements may change. Contact the McKinney Fire Marshal's Office for current requirements.*