Fire Alarm/Protection System Inspections

By performing mandatory inspections, the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) can help in complying with the provisions of the legislature. For all inspections, a complete set of approved plans stamped by Montgomery County DPS must be on-site for the inspector’s review. In order to improve service and facilitate inspection requests, please use the inspection codes listed to the left of the inspection type shown below.

Fire Alarm Systems

DPS Code Description
270 New fire alarm system (Inspection to be performed after construction is complete but before the final Use and Occupancy inspection).
271 Tenant-Alter-Modifications – Alterations or modifications to existing fire alarm systems  (Inspections to be performed after construction is complete but before the final Use and Occupancy inspection).
272 Vesda – Air sampling detection system (Inspections to be performed after installation is complete  and the system is tied-into the fire alarm).


Fire Protection Systems

DPS Code Description
273 Sprinkler Trip – Dry sprinkler or standpipe system test to measure the amount of time it takes for
          the dry valve to activate and the amount of time it takes for water to be delivered to the remote 
          point of the system (Inspection to be performed after the complete dry sprinkler system or standpipe
          system is installed).
274 Standpipe Flow – A flow test used to determine if the required quantity of water is delivered at
          given points on the standpipe at a certain pressure (Inspection to be performed after installation of
          the standpipe is completed and the fire pump is installed and tested).
275 Standpipe Hydro – A hydrostatic pressure test used to verify that the standpipe system is capable of 
          withstanding pre-determined water pressures (Inspection to be performed after installation of the
          standpipe system and installation of all related components are completed) .
276 Fire Pump – A flow test used to determine whether the fire pump and related equipment performs
          according to the manufacturer’s specifications (A fire pump test is conducted after the pump
          installation is completed and tied into the water supply. All related equipment installation such as
          the jockey pump, sensing lines, and controller must be completed. Note that the electrical nspection
          must be completed and approved prior the pump test.
277 Wet Chemical – A functional test of the piping system used to deliver a normally aqueous 
          extinguishing agent (Inspection to be performed after the system is installed and tied into the main
          building fire alarm system when provided).
278 Dry Chemical – A functional test of the piping system used to deliver a powder designed to 
          extinguish fire (Inspection to be performed after the system is installed and tied into the main  
          building fire alarm system when provided).
279 CO2, Clean Agent, Halon – A functional test of a gaseous fire extinguishant (Inspection to be
          performed after the area of construction and the installation of the system is completed and tied into
          the fire alarm). 
280 Sprinkler Hydro - A hydrostatic pressure test used to verify that the sprinkler system is capable of 
          withstanding pre-determined water pressures (Inspection to be performed after installation of the
          sprinkler system and all related components are completed).
281 Sprinkler Final – An inspection of the sprinkler system once installation is totally complete. This 
          includes all piping, valves, gauges, signs, excuteon plates, ect. are installed and the system is tied
          into the fire alarm.

 

SCHEDULING INSPECTIONS AND RESPONSE TIME

• Inspections must be requested at least 24 hours prior to the date the inspection is needed. To schedule an inspection, you must have the appropriate permit number(s) available when you call.
• To schedule fire protection or fire alarm inspections you must provide the street address, level or area, permit number, and type of inspection needed. Note that inspections on multiple floors in commercial buildings are considered separate inspections and must be scheduled as such. Each floor must be scheduled individually. In most cases, inspection requests made before 12 noon will be scheduled for the next business day. A specific time for an inspection cannot be given at the time that the inspection is scheduled.
• A re-inspection fee will be assessed for any system that has been disapproved twice. The fee amount assessed will be 50% of the original inspection fee.      
• If you have a job specific question during installation, please call the inspector assigned to the area in which the project is located. To find the name and contact information for the fire protection or fire alarm inspector, please click on the blue i button on the right hand side of the following web page: http://permittingservices.montgomerycountymd.gov/dpstmpl.asp?
• Inspections which cannot be performed because the inspector cannot gain access to the inspection site or where work is incomplete, will be considered disapproved, counting toward the two allowed disapprovals. To avoid re-inspection fees, inspections may be canceled by phone prior to the inspector’s arrival.
• Be certain that your inspection site is clearly marked with a lot number, suite number or address. If the lot is not marked, the inspection will be rejected.