Fire Alarm Systems and Permit Application

The Naperville Fire Department has jurisdiction over the issuance of fire alarm permits and acceptance testing and inspection of fire alarm systems. This includes new systems and/or modifications/alterations to existing systems. All required fire alarm systems must be approved by the Fire Department before an occupancy permit will be issued.

The Naperville Fire Department also provides guidelines and requirements for the installation, maintenance and testing of fire alarm systems in the City of Naperville.

Areas under canopies, where vehicles have access, shall be included in calculating the building square footage AND shall be protected, if required.

When any building, or a portion thereof, is renovated or remodeled, automatic fire alarm systems shall be modified to conform with then-current Code requirements: Change of Use Group AND aggregate square feet of building or portion meets above areas. (If no change of Use Group; however, the aggregate square feet of building or portion meets the above areas, automatic fire alarm systems shall be modified to conform with the then-current Code requirements).

Where a change in occupancy includes any use that requires the entire structure to be protected with a fire alarm system, such a system shall be installed throughout the structure before an occupancy permit for the premises is issued.

Fire Department key lock box: To facilitate Fire Department entry to a building, a Fire Department key lock box (model and type to be approved by the Fire Department) shall be provided adjacent to a doorway (Location shall be approved by the Fire Department). All keys placed in the lock box shall be tagged for property identification.

Inspections

Fire alarm systems must be inspected at certain intervals according to the following schedule:

Fire Alarm Systems:

• Rough wire inspection (Not required in all instances)
• Final acceptance/performance test

Other Systems:

Information is provided on the plan review comment sheet/form, included with your permit.

• A contractor's Certificate of Completion (PDF) shall be provided to the Fire Department prior to the Fire Department witnessing a performance test of the system. (Per NFPA 72)
• Inspections may be scheduled by calling (630) 420-6100, Option 1, at least 48 hours in advance. When inspections are scheduled, all appropriate installers must be present.
• The fee for all inspections is $68.

If an inspection/test fails, the Fire Department will attempt to accommodate the fire alarm system installer’s request by scheduling a re-test the next business day. Any re-inspection/re-test will result in a fee of $68 per hour, with a one-hour minimum.

Permit Issuance

Plans for each fire alarm system must be submitted through the City of Naperville Permitting, Plans and Licensing Portal. The Permitting, Plans and Licensing Portal gathers all of the information needed to apply, pay for, and manage permits in one convenient place. It is designed for use on a desktop/laptop computer.

Plans are generally reviewed and written comments provided within 14 to 21 calendar days. After the review is completed, the applicant will be furnished with an electronic set of stamped drawings, which is required to be printed and on-site and available for the Fire Department inspector.

The plan submittal shall include:

• A set of plans for each fire alarm system
• Manufacturer's specification sheets on all devices
• Standby battery calculations
• Wire sample (6")

When a fire alarm system is being modified and such modification involves three (3) or less devices (or Fire Alarm Control Panel), the plan review fee includes one (1) inspection.

Fire alarm systems must be designed and installed and function in accordance with locally adopted codes and locally adopted amendments to the codes. This information, and other general information regarding fire protection systems and fire alarm systems, is available from the Naperville Fire Department.

For details on the permitting process, including submittal, reviews, fees and issuance, visit the Building Permits page.