Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Phoenix, Arizona

Quick Answer: Fire alarm system installations in Phoenix require both a construction permit from the Planning and Development Department and an alarm subscriber permit from the Phoenix Fire Department. Contractors must hold an Arizona ROC C-16 Fire Protection Systems license. Annual inspections are mandatory and tracked through The Compliance Engine (TCE) system.

Types of Permits Required

Phoenix has a two-permit system for fire alarm installations:

1. Construction Permit (Planning and Development)

Required for installation, modification, or repair of fire alarm and detection systems. This permit covers the physical installation work.

2. Alarm Subscriber Permit (Fire Department)

Required for every fire alarm system that connects to monitoring services. Under Phoenix City Code Section 10-86.01, every alarm subscriber must obtain this permit within 10 days of installation.

When Are Permits Required?

Permit Required

• New fire alarm system installations (residential and commercial)
• Adding or relocating detection devices
• Upgrading control panels or replacing systems
• Modifications to existing fire alarm systems
• Fire alarm dialer installations
• Integration with sprinkler or suppression systems

Permit May Not Be Required

• Replacing batteries in existing devices
• Like-for-like device replacements (same model, same location)
• Routine maintenance and testing

Note: Even minor work may require permits. When in doubt, contact Phoenix Fire Prevention at (602) 262-6771.

Arizona Contractor Licensing Requirements

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AZ ROC) requires specific licensing for fire alarm work.

Required License Classifications

License	Type	Scope
C-16	Commercial	Fire Protection Systems including fire alarms, sprinklers, suppression systems
R-16	Residential	Fire prevention and protection systems for residential properties
CR-16	Dual	Combined commercial and residential fire protection scope

The C-16 and R-16 classifications permit installation and repair of low voltage signaling systems, which includes fire alarm wiring. However, installation of other electrical devices must be subcontracted to a properly licensed electrical contractor.

License Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 4 years in the fire protection trade
• Examinations: Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE) plus C-16 trade exam (75 questions, 70% passing score)
• Bond: $2,500 to $50,000 depending on gross volume
• Background check: Required for all applicants

For comprehensive information on Arizona contractor licensing, see our Arizona Low Voltage License Guide.

Construction Permit Application Process

Step 1: Prepare Plan Submittals

Per the Phoenix Fire Prevention requirements, submit two sets of plans including:

• Fire alarm system layout at 1/8 inch = 1 foot scale
• Device locations and types
• Wiring diagrams and riser diagrams
• Equipment specifications and cut sheets
• Bar graph scale on each page
• Directional arrow indicating north
• NICET Level 3 certification for the system designer (recommended)

Step 2: Submit for Plan Review

Submit plans to the Phoenix Fire Department Fire Prevention Section:

Phoenix Fire Department - Fire Prevention
150 S. 12th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: (602) 262-6771
Email: PFD.Prevention@phoenix.gov

Step 3: Obtain Construction Permit

After plan approval, obtain your construction permit from the Planning and Development Department.

Step 4: Installation and Inspection

Complete installation per approved plans and schedule inspection with Fire Prevention.

Alarm Subscriber Permit

Separate from the construction permit, every monitored fire alarm system requires an alarm subscriber permit.

Requirements

• Apply within 10 days of new system installation
• Permit fee: $17 annually
• Valid for one year, renewable
• Must be kept on premises and available for inspection
• Not transferable between subscribers or addresses

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Operating a fire alarm without a valid subscriber permit results in a $105 service fee per alarm activation.

Apply for the alarm subscriber permit through the Phoenix Police Department Alarm Unit.

Fees and Timeline

Item	Fee	Timeline
Plan Review	$150 - $500+	10-20 business days
Construction Permit	Based on valuation	1-5 business days after approval
Alarm Subscriber Permit	$17/year	Same day
Fire Alarm Dialer Permit	Varies	3-5 business days
FITM Permit (maintenance)	Varies	1-3 business days

Note: Fees vary based on system complexity. Contact Fire Prevention for exact pricing.

Residential vs. Commercial Requirements

Residential Fire Alarms

• Standalone smoke detectors typically do not require permits
• Interconnected systems or monitored systems require permits
• New construction requires smoke alarms per building code
• R-16 licensed contractor required for system installations

Commercial Fire Alarms

• All installations require construction permits and plan review
• Must comply with NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code
• Annual third-party inspections mandatory
• Inspections tracked through The Compliance Engine (TCE)
• NICET Level 3 certification preferred for designers
• Certificate of Occupancy may be required

Annual Inspection Requirements

Phoenix Fire Code mandates annual inspection, testing, and maintenance of all commercial fire alarm systems.

The Compliance Engine (TCE)

Since January 2020, Phoenix Fire Department uses The Compliance Engine to track approximately 90,000 fire and life safety systems requiring annual inspections. Currently, 147 third-party vendors are registered to perform inspections in Phoenix.

Inspection Process

1. Licensed contractor performs annual inspection per NFPA 72
2. Contractor submits report through TCE system
3. Fire Prevention staff reviews and assigns follow-up
4. Deficiencies must be corrected within established timelines
5. FITM Permit may be required for maintenance work

NFPA 72 Compliance

All fire alarm systems in Phoenix must comply with NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code). Key requirements include:

• Visual inspection of all devices annually
• Functional testing of initiating devices
• Notification appliance testing
• Control panel testing and battery inspection
• Documentation of all testing and maintenance

Pro Tips from Contractors

• Submit complete plans the first time — Incomplete submittals cause delays; include all required elements per the Fire Prevention checklist
• Coordinate with other trades — Fire alarm rough-in should align with electrical and HVAC schedules
• Register with TCE early — If you perform inspections, register as a third-party vendor with The Compliance Engine
• Keep subscriber permits current — The $105 penalty per false alarm adds up quickly
• Document everything — Maintain inspection records for minimum 3 years as required by NFPA 72
• Consider NICET certification — Level 3 certification expedites plan review and demonstrates competency

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Summary

Fire alarm installations in Phoenix require both a construction permit and an alarm subscriber permit. Contractors must hold an Arizona ROC C-16 (commercial) or R-16 (residential) license. Plan submittals must include detailed drawings at 1/8 inch scale. Commercial systems require annual inspections tracked through The Compliance Engine.

For questions about permit requirements, contact Phoenix Fire Prevention at (602) 262-6771 or email PFD.Prevention@phoenix.gov.