Fire Alarm Permit Requirements in Spokane, Washington

Installing fire alarm systems in Spokane, Washington requires permits, NICET certification, and compliance with both Washington State Fire Code and NFPA 72 standards. This guide covers what contractors and property owners need to know.

Quick Answer: Do You Need a Permit?

Yes. Fire alarm installations in Spokane require permits from the City of Spokane Fire Prevention division. Technicians must hold NICET certification as mandated by Washington State Building Code Council.

Washington State NICET Requirements

The Washington State Building Code Council mandates NICET certification for fire alarm work:

Design Review Requirements

All construction documents must be reviewed by one of:

• NICET Level III in Fire Alarm Systems
• ESA/NTS CFAD Level III (Certified Fire Alarm Designer)
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Washington

Installation and Testing Requirements

All inspection, testing, maintenance, and programming must be completed by:

• NICET Level II or higher in Fire Alarm Systems
• ESA/NTS CFAT Level II (Certified Fire Alarm Technician)

Compliance Notes

• Effective date: July 1, 2018
• No grace period for obtaining certification
• Low voltage electrical license does NOT exempt NICET requirement
• Must maintain 90 CPD points every three years

Washington Fire Alarm Code

Washington has adopted NFPA 72-2019 as the state fire alarm code. Key requirements include:

• Smoke alarms, heat detectors, and heat alarms must comply with NFPA 72
• Annual inspections minimum for commercial systems
• More frequent testing based on occupancy type and system size
• Documentation and record keeping required

Spokane Fire Permit Authority

The City of Spokane Fire Prevention division handles fire alarm permits:

• Permit applications available through Fire Prevention
• Plan review required for new systems
• Inspection required upon completion
• Servicer applications for maintenance work

Washington Contractor Licensing

EL06 Limited Energy License

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries requires:

• EL06 Limited Energy System license for fire alarm work
• 4,000 hours supervised training
• Valid UBI number and $4,000 bond
• Designated master administrator

Important: EL06 license alone is not sufficient—NICET certification is also required.

For detailed licensing requirements, see our Washington Low Voltage Contractor License Guide.

NICET Certification Levels

Level	Experience Required	Role
Level I	6 months	Trainee, entry-level under direct supervision
Level II	2 years	Installation, testing, inspection
Level III	5 years	Design review, plan preparation
Level IV	10 years	Senior technical management

Spokane Permit Contacts

Department	Contact	Purpose
Spokane Fire Prevention	my.spokanecity.org	Fire alarm permits
Spokane Valley Fire	svfdpermits.com	Spokane Valley permits
WA L&I Electrical	(360) 902-5269	Contractor licensing

Application Process

1. Design documents: Have plans reviewed by NICET III or PE
2. Submit to Fire Prevention: Apply for fire alarm permit
3. Plan review: Fire department reviews for NFPA 72 compliance
4. Pay fees: Per local fee schedule
5. Installation: Complete work per approved plans by NICET II+ technician
6. Testing: Complete acceptance testing per NFPA 72
7. Inspection: Fire department final inspection
8. Certification: Document system completion

Residential vs. Commercial Projects

Residential Fire Alarms

• Smoke alarms must comply with NFPA 72
• Interconnected alarms required in new construction
• Licensed contractor required for system installation
• Lower permit fees typically

Commercial Fire Alarms

• NICET II minimum for installation work
• NICET III required for design review
• Annual inspections mandatory
• Monitoring service required for most occupancies
• As-built documentation required

Spokane Valley Fire Department

For projects in Spokane Valley, the Spokane Valley Fire Department has separate permit requirements:

• Fire code mandates regular testing of life safety systems
• Specific testing and inspection requirements by system type
• Compliance with International Fire Code (IFC)
• Permits available through svfdpermits.com

Pro Tips from Spokane Contractors

• Get NICET certified: Level II minimum for installation, Level III for design
• No shortcuts: Low voltage license doesn't exempt NICET requirement
• Check jurisdiction: City of Spokane vs. Spokane Valley vs. County
• Maintain CPDs: 90 points required every three years
• Document thoroughly: Keep records of all certifications and inspections
• Plan for monitoring: Most commercial systems require central station

Stay Ahead of Permit Activity

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

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Related Permit Guides

• Washington Low Voltage Contractor License Guide
• Seattle Fire Alarm Permits
• Spokane Security Camera Permits