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International Fire Code-2021 edition w/Dallas Fire Code Amendments as of February 10, 2023
International Building Code-2021 edition w/Dallas Amendments – May 12, 2023
International Mechanical Code-2021 edition w/Dallas Amendments – May 12, 2023
National Electrical Code – 2020 edition w/Dallas Amendments –
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72, National Fire Alarm Code - 2019 edition
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Fees are based on the number of initiating and/or signaling devices. The fees are published on the Fire Alarm Plan Review Request form (MS Word)(Adobe PDF) and range from $75 to $300. A Fire Alarm Permit Fee will be charged per Section 303.2.2 and associated Table B of Chapter 52 of the Dallas City Code. Please note that the permit fee is based on a percentage of the total value of work plus an additional standard fee. It is approximately equivalent to a $1,000 permit fee for every $100,000 of value of work. https://dallascityhall.com/departments/sustainabledevelopment/buildinginspection/Pages/fees.aspx
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| | Fire Alarm | | When is Fire Alarm Plan Review/Permitting required? Any change, addition, alteration, or replacement to a fire alarm system must be permitted. Fire alarm plans must be submitted for review and approval for any change, addition, alteration, or replacement to a fire alarm system with the following exceptions. 1. Addition of a communicator/dialer for monitoring only · Information required is as follows: o Permit Application o Notarized Scope of Work proposal o Backup Battery Calculations o Type of Fire Alarm Control Unit o Communicator/Dialer Specifications 2. Connection of Kitchen hood · Information required is as follows: o Permit Application o Notarized Scope of Work Proposal o Interface Device Specifications
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| | Fire Alarm | | The Fire Alarm Permit and Plan Review Procedures must be followed. A minimum of 3 sets of design drawings, drawn to a recognized architect scale, must be submitted, stamped, signed and dated with either a Texas Fire Alarm Planning Superintendent (APS) registered with the submitting company, or a Professional Engineer registered in Texas whose major discipline is Fire Protection Engineering (FPE). A minimum 2 copies of battery and voltage drop calculations as well as manufacturer's specifications for all equipment installed must be provided. The Fire Alarm Plan Review Fee must be paid prior to plan review. A completed Fire Alarm Plan Review Request form (MS Word)(Adobe PDF) must also be submitted.
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| | Fire Alarm | | Upon any change in occupancy or building size/elevation, the facility must be brought up to current code requirements. Change in building ownership does not initiate current code compliance. The replacement of a fire alarm control panel with the same make and model (i.e. exact for exact) does not initiate current code compliance, unless the panel is a conventional panel and is now warranted to be addressable because the system contains more than 10 alarm initiating devices and the building is a multi-story facility, greater than 22,500sqft equipped/not equipped with an automatic sprinkler system throughout per Section 907.6.3 of International Fire Code-2021 edition w/Dallas Fire Code Amendments. Nevertheless, a permit and plan review is still required. In addition, Section 907.1.3 requires all new or replaced fire alarm systems to comply with the requirements of Section 907. Therefore, any fire alarm control panel replacement (including exact for exact) is considered as replacing the system as the entire system is controlled by this control panel, and not merely repair work. Thus, the panel and all associated equipment must meet the requirements of Section 907 (i.e. class "A" wiring, visual notification, etc.).
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| | Fire Alarm | | Per Section 907.5.2.3 "Visual alarm notification appliances shall be provided where an existing fire alarm system is upgraded, altered or a new fire alarm system is installed. When provided, visual notification appliances shall be installed throughout all contiguous spaces (tenant space, lease space of other definable boundaries) as approved by the fire code official. Thus, visual notification upgrade may not be restricted to a small remodeled area within a space. The entire space must be upgraded to meet current code requirements for visual notification, regardless of the contractor's "scope of work".
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| | Fire Alarm | | Per Section 907.6.1.1 "All fire alarm systems shall be installed in such a manner that the failure of any single alarm initiating device will not interfere with the normal operation of any other such device. All fire alarm systems shall be Class "A" wired with a minimum of six-feet separation between supply and return conductors. IDC - Class A style D; SLC – Class "A" Style 6; NAC - Class B Style Y. The IDC from an addressable device used to monitor the status of a suppression system may be wired Class B, Style B provided the distance from the addressable device is within 10-feet of the suppression system device." Thus, the city requires Class A wiring to all initiating devices, except to suppression systems for a distance no greater than 10-feet. Should modules be utilized; outgoing and return wiring will be required from the module to the device. Class A wiring to the module and then Class B wiring from the module to the initiating device will not be allowed. The outgoing and return conductors are allowed in the same cabling (i.e. no 6-ft separation) per NFPA-72, 2019 edition, Section 12.3.8.1.
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| | Fire Alarm | | International Fire Code 2021 edition w/Dallas Amendments, Section 1101.5 deals with the installation, upgrades or repairs to fire alarm life safety systems in existing building and appurtenances referring 901.5. Section 907.1.4 of the International Fire Code-2021 w/Dallas Fire Code Amendments also refers to all new or replaced fire alarm systems complying with Section 907 for the design standards. Existing Systems need not comply unless the total building or fire alarm system or expansion initiated after the effective date of this code, as adopted, exceeds 30% of the building area and when cumulative building remodel or fire alarm system or expansion exceeds 50% of the building area. To propose a time scale please submit a design narrative to the Deputy Chief of Dallas Fire-Rescue, Fire Prevention for approval. Nevertheless, plans submitted must show a complete upgrade of the fire alarm system.
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| | Fire Alarm | | The Fire Department conducts all inspections. Senior Fire Prevention Officers conduct the inspections. The Fire Department employs a master scheduler who schedules every inspection. Currently that is Mrs. Michelle Price at 214-671-9844. Prepare to provide permit number for captioned project. A Pre-Test Form must be completed prior to inspection.
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| | Fire Alarm | | Section
907.2.13 of the International Fire Code 2021 edition w/Dallas Fire Code
Amendments defines a high-rise building as a building with a floor used for
human occupancy located more than 75-ft above the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access.
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| | Fire Alarm | | No. Per Section 907.1.5, of the International Fire Code w/Dallas Fire Code Amendments, "Area separation walls/fire walls shall not be used to reduce or eliminate fire alarm requirements" unless the separating walls have no openings that permit occupant communication between the spaces.
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| | Fire Alarm | | Yes. Per section 907.6.6 of the International Fire Code-2021 edition w/Dallas Fire Code Amendments states "Fire alarm systems required by this chapter, other chapters of this code, or by the Dallas Building Code shall transmit device identification in accordance with Section 907.6.3 to an approved central station, remote supervising station or proprietary supersizing station as define in NFPA 72, or a local alarm which gives audible and visual signals at a constantly attended location." Constantly attended locations are defined as being occupied by 2 or more persons whose responsibility is to monitor the fire alarm system.
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| | Fire Alarm | | Any significant change to the approved plans due to architectural changes, relocation of devices (ceiling vs. wall, etc.) or other design changes must be resubmitted. Field changes to the fire alarm system, such as replacement of devices, also warrant the resubmission of plans. A resubmittal fee based on the number of new devices or devices that have been changed from the original submittal will be counted as part of a new plan review submittal fee. Plans resubmitted due to rejection will not be charged a resubmittal fee unless resubmitted for the second time, then a resubmittal fee of ½ the original submittal fee will be charged. All As-builts plans are considered revisions and will be assess as a resubmittal including fees. Plan reviews or resubmission of plans are not required for monitor modules to interface with Kitchen Hoods or Alternative means of transmission (i.e. wireless communicators).
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| | Fire Alarm | | Per International Fire Code-2021 edition, Section 604.1: All new elevators, regardless of the travel distance, shall be provided with Phase I emergency recall operation and Phase II emergency in-car operation in accordance with ASME A17.1/CSA B44. All existing elevators with a travel distance of 25-feet or more above or below the main floor or other level of a building and intended to serve the needs of emergency personnel for fire-fighting or rescue purposes shall be provided with emergency operation in accordance with ASME A17.3 per Section 1103.3.2 of International Fire Code-2021 edition
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| | Fire Alarm | | Yes in group R1 and R2 occupancies required to have a fire alarm system as well as when a non-required fire alarm system is installed in Group R1 and R2 occupancies the audible alarm signal activated by single- or multiple-station smoke alarms in the dwelling unit or sleeping unit shall be a 520Hz signal complying with NFPA-72. Where the smoke alarm is unable to produce a 520Hz signal, the 520-Hz alarm signal shall be provided by a listed notification appliance or a system type smoke detector with an integral 520Hx sounder.
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| | Fire Alarm | | An emergency fire alarm control panel replacement is reviewed and approved upon variance of the Deputy Chief of Dallas Fire -Rescue, Fire Prevention. A design narrative including the timeframe to upgrade the fire alarm system as well as an impairment assessment must be submitted to the Deputy Chief. Once approval is granted the submittal for review shall be as follows: - Scope of work Letter
- Design Narrative and Impairment Assessment
- Fire Code Official's written allowance to replace the FACP only
- 3 copies of the drawings showing
- Envelope of the building
- FACP location
- Smoke detector for FACP protection
- FACP battery calculations
- FACP specifications
- Alternative method of transmission (i.e. wireless communicator)
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| | Fire Sprinkler | | Fill out the Fire Sprinkler Contractor Registration Form, and provide your State Fire Marshall's registration certificate to the permit clerks located in room 210 at 320 E. Jefferson Blvd. Dallas, TX 75203 (214) 948-4374.
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| | Fire Sprinkler | | Submit four (3) copies of the plans, one copy of the hydraulic calculations, specification sheets for all devices, a completed permit application, and the plan review fee to the permit office at 320 E. Jefferson, Room 118. Please refer to NFPA-13, chapter on "Plans and Calculations" for information required for our review. Lack of the required information may be cause for rejection of your submittal and/or delay in our review process. Generally, plans will be "approved with comments", and a resubmittal will not be necessary. Two copies of the plans and the hydraulic calculations will be retained for our files. One copy of the plans will be stamped and returned to you along with our review letter. Reviewed plans can be picked up at the Fire Review office, 320 E. Jefferson, Room 210. A stamped copy of the plans and the review letter must be at the jobsite when the fire inspector makes his inspection.
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| | Fire Sprinkler | | Permits are required for all sprinkler projects, even if only one sprinkler is added or relocated.
Plans must be submitted for all sprinkler projects, where 20 or more sprinklers are added or a total of 100 or more sprinklers are removed or relocated on one floor area, and for all underground supply piping. Plans must also be submitted for projects with any number of sprinklers installed on a new system or in a previously unsprinklered area (i.e. a small preaction system in a computer room with only 10 sprinklers).
Plans need not be submitted for projects where 19 or less sprinklers are added or 99 or less sprinklers are relocated or removed on one floor area, provided there is no change in occupancy (i.e., offices to offices). If there is a change in occupancy (i.e., offices to retail), if extended coverage sprinklers are added, or flexible sprinklers are provided to a system that was not proven with flexible sprinkler heads, then plans must be submitted.
Any "significant" changes from the approved plans may require a resubmittal and approval of the changes at the discretion of the field inspector.
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| | Fire Sprinkler | | Fire sprinkler Inspections are handled by the Dallas Fire Department. For all sprinkler projects where plans were required to be submitted, you can schedule an inspection by contacting the fire department schedular at (214)-671-9844. You will need to have your Permit number(s) and address ready.
At the bottom of your permit (contractor's authorization), there is a note which gives you the office number for the substation which will handle your project. Please call the Fire Department Scheduler or the Fire Prevention Officer to make an appointment for inspection or hydrostatic pressure test. The automated 24-hour phone number can be used for calling for inspections for only the smaller sprinkler projects which do not require plan submittal; these projects will be inspected by a building inspector.
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| | Fire Sprinkler | | Please refer to NFPA-13, chapter on "Plans and Calculations" for information required for our review. Lack of the required information may be cause for rejection of your submittal and/or delay in our review process.
If some data is missing, a phone call or an additional fax submittal may clarify the omission. However, if the plans are incomplete, vague, or indecipherable, then an entire resubmittal will be required which causes delays and loss of work time.
Please refer all your designers to NFPA-13, chapter on "Plans and Calculations" and insist that they check their work for completeness before submitting to the City. This will save both you and the City time lost due to delays in our review.
We have also provided a checklist that can be accessed on the Fire protection plan review page.
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| | Fire Sprinkler | | Even if the extent of your contract is only relocating or adding heads to an existing system, some information about the existing system must be provided. We cannot conduct a review of plans which only shows head locations and arm-overs. Sufficient information and data must be supplied for us to conduct a reasonable hydraulic analysis of the work. This information should include but not be limited to, existing system design information, hydrant flow data, existing main, riser, and underground supply piping. If the project is part of a high-rise building, please provide piping details for the standpipe system (size, approximate pipe lengths, elevations) and data for any fire pump (copy of latest pump test results).
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| | Fire Sprinkler | | All hydraulically designed sprinkler systems are based on having a satisfactory water supply, and the hydrant test that you use for the system design is critical to the system performance. With all submittals, please show on a site plan the location of the test hydrants in relation to the building and provide the date and source of the data. The hydrant test must be performed by the City of Dallas.
Customers can check the availability of existing hydrant flow test data, free of charge, at (214) 948-4607 or (214) 948-4205 or email ENGadmin@dallas.gov . New hydrant flow test data can be ordered at (214) 948-4607. Presently there is a $200.00 fee for new hydrant tests. Since the City has several water service levels with differing water supply capacities; it is possible to have a hydrant flow test one block away from your project but on a different service level. You should verify the hydrant flow test data that you are using is hydraulically representative of the city main to which you are connecting by checking the static pressure available at the spigot piece as soon as possible. Do not design using a hydrant flow test which indicates 90-psi static pressure and connect to a city main with only 50-psi static pressure.
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| | Fire Sprinkler | | A dedicated underground fireline is one that only supplies fire protection system. Every underground dedicated fireline system that is installed or modified is required to have a plan reviewed performed, a hydrostatic test, and is required to be flushed. Combination service underground water line is one which the fire protection system is supplied by the domestic water supply. If the fire protection system is supplied by the domestic water supply, then the underground line is reviewed by the plumbing department. The fire department is required to be present for the hydrostatic test and flush of a combination service.
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| | Fire Sprinkler | | There are two fees required for fire sprinkler permits, a permit fee and a plan review fee. The general contractor normally pays all permit fees for the project. However, if there is no general contractor and you are contracted by the building owner for renovations, then the new permit fee will be in accordance with table(s): A-I, A-II, A-III, B-I, or B-II of Chapter 52: Administrative Procedures for the Construction codes. The exact fee is calculated by the permit office depending on the total dollar value.
The plan review fee is $0.012 per sq. ft. of building area with $150 minimum. For example, a 10,000-sq. ft. project will cost the $150 minimum, while a 100,000-sq. ft. project will cost $1200. As the fee is based on square footage, you must fill in the blank on the permit application or the plans will not be accepted for review. Please note that this is a "plan review fee" based on square footage; it is not a "permit fee" which is based on the dollar value of the project. If you are the only contractor on the project, then you will be responsible for both plan review and permit fees.
Effective April 1, 2008, the plan review fee is required for plans which require a review including, but not limited to the following: fire sprinkler systems, underground fireline piping (this is dedicated fire, combined service is reviewed by plumbing), dry standpipe systems, FM-200 or Halon suppression systems, and dry chemical extinguishing systems. For remodeling projects with added/relocated sprinklers, the fee will be based on the square footage of the affected areas only, not including areas where sprinklers are not added/relocated. For projects which are not "sprinkler" projects, the fee will be $150.
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| | Fire Sprinkler | | If the plans were denied by fire sprinkler plan review, the first resubmittal is free. Each subsequent resubmittal after the first will have to pay half of the original plan review fee.
If the plans must be resubmitted do to field changes, supply change issues, or some other foreseen reason that alters the system. The plan review resubmittal fee is based on the amount of modified or added sprinklers:
$75 for each fire sprinkler system, per building, with 10 or fewer sprinkler initiating devices or actuation devices. $100 for each fire sprinkler system, per building, with 11 to 25 sprinkler initiating devices or actuation devices. $150 for each fire sprinkler system, per building, with 26 to 150 sprinkler initiating devices or actuation devices. $300 for each fire sprinkler system, per building, with more than 150 sprinkler initiating devices or actuation devices. (Ord. 26029; 27107; 30320; 32196) |
| | Fire Sprinkler | | The Plumbing department and Dallas Water utilities requires potable water to be separated by a listed backflow preventor. The city of Dallas water meters are not listed to meet the requirements of backflow prevention. A backflow preventor will be required between the city supply after the water meter and the sprinkler system riser manifold.
If a backflow preventor is installed to an existing fire sprinkler system; then the system must be re-calculated and a plan review is required.
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| | Fire Sprinkler | | Call Dallas Water Utilities
at (214) 670-8509.
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