Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Prince William County, Virginia
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Prince William County requires Fire Protection Permits through the Fire Marshal Office. Same-day walk-through available for systems with 10 devices or fewer. Virginia FAS license required.
Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Prince William County, Virginia
Quick Answer: Prince William County requires Fire Protection Permits (FPP) issued by the Fire Marshal Office for all fire alarm installations. Plans are submitted electronically through ePlans, with same-day walk-through review available for systems with 10 devices or fewer.
When Are Permits Required?
Under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Fire Prevention Code enforced by Prince William County:
Permits Required:
- New fire alarm system installations
- Modifications to existing fire alarm systems
- Fire alarm monitoring of sprinkler systems (flow and tamper)
- Central station monitoring connections
- Duct detector installations
- Any fire alarm device additions or alterations
Walk-Through Eligible (Same-Day Approval):
- Fire alarm plans with 10 devices or fewer (FACP counts as one device)
- Fire alarm monitoring of sprinkler flow and tamper switches
- Simple system modifications
Permit Application Process
Step 1: Obtain FPP Number
Contact Plan Intake at (703) 792-4040 to obtain your Fire Protection Permit number before any submission.
Step 2: Submit Through ePlans
Prince William County requires electronic plan submission through the Fire Marshal ePlans system:
- Access the ePortal at eservice.pwcgov.org
- Submit complete plan package per the Fire Marshal ePlan Guide
- Include master permit number for the project
- Pay required fees before review begins
Step 3: Plan Review
Review will not start until fees are paid and submittal meets all requirements.
Required Plan Contents:
- Symbol legend clearly identifying all fire alarm devices
- Location, type, and quantity of all devices
- Fire alarm control panel (FACP) location
- Annunciator panel location
- Strobes, horns, and manual pull stations
- Duct detectors and monitoring devices
- Control valve and tamper switch monitoring
- Device heights above finished floor
- Ceiling heights throughout
- Equipment specification sheets for all devices
Additional Requirements:
- Copy of current Virginia contractor license
- Copy of current Prince William County business license
- Address validation from Geospatial Technology Services (GTS) for standalone permits
Walk-Through Same-Day Review
The Fire Marshal Office offers expedited same-day plan review for qualifying projects:
Eligibility:
- Fire alarm plans with 10 devices or fewer (FACP counts as one)
- Fire alarm monitoring of sprinkler flow and tamper
- Sprinkler modifications of 40 heads or less (no hydraulic calculations)
Schedule:
- Every Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Development Services Building
- Appointment required - call (703) 792-4040
- First-come, first-served for 30-minute slots
- Must have FPP number before scheduling
Virginia Contractor Licensing Requirements
Fire alarm contractors in Prince William County must hold proper 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 |
Prince William County Business License
Critical: Even fully state-licensed contractors cannot operate in Prince William County without a local business license. This must be obtained before pulling permits or performing any work.
For complete Virginia licensing requirements, see our Virginia Low Voltage License Guide.
Inspection Requirements
Scheduling Inspections:
- Call Fire Marshal Office at (703) 792-6360
- Schedule between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. for next-day inspections
- Not all inspections available through automated system
Inspection Day Requirements:
- Provide copy of fire protection permit
- Have approved fire protection plans on site
- System must be complete and operational
- Pre-test system before inspector arrives
Inspection Sequence:
- Rough-in inspection (59, 60, 61 inspections)
- Final inspection (82) - requires approved rough-in inspections
- Pre-occupancy inspection for commercial and multi-family
Permit Fees and Timeline
| Service | Fee | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Protection Permit | Based on system size | 5-10 business days (standard) |
| Walk-Through Review | Standard permit fee | Same day (if eligible) |
| Inspection Fees | Included in permit (basic) | Next business day |
| Large System Inspection | Additional fees apply | As scheduled |
Note: Inspection fee packages are added to permit fee and collected at issuance. Additional fees must be paid before scheduling Final inspection.
Contact Information
Prince William County Fire Marshal Office
5 County Complex Court, Suite 160
Prince William, VA 22192
Phone: (703) 792-6360
Email: FMO@pwcgov.org
Plan Intake Office
Phone: (703) 792-4040
Building Development Division
5 County Complex Court, Suite 120
Prince William, VA 22192
Phone: (703) 792-6930
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Pro Tips from Experienced Contractors
Use walk-through for small jobs. The Thursday same-day review for systems with 10 devices or fewer is a major time-saver. Plan your project schedule to take advantage of this service.
Get your business license first. Prince William County is strict about local business licensing. Without it, you cannot pull permits regardless of your state credentials. Handle this before bidding county projects.
Complete ePlans requirements fully. Review will not start until fees are paid and all requirements are met. Incomplete submissions cause delays. Follow the ePlan Guide precisely.
Pre-test before inspection. Fire Marshal inspectors expect functional systems. Discovering issues during inspection wastes time and requires rescheduling. Test everything beforehand.
Include all device specifications. Equipment spec sheets for every device must be submitted with plans. Missing specifications delay review. Prepare a complete submittal package.
Stay Ahead of Permit Activity
Want to know when fire alarm projects hit permits in Prince William County before they reach bid boards?
LVN Signal monitors permit activity across Virginia and alerts you to opportunities the moment they are filed.
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