Get a fire sprinkler permit

What you need to know before you apply

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  Who can apply for the permit

  To apply for fire sprinkler permit, you must:

  • Have a valid City of Vancouver or inter-municipal business licence
  • Be a licensed fire sprinkler contractor

  Get a business licence

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  How sprinkler permits are processed

  Regular review process

  • Sprinkler permits are processed in the order they are received. 
  • On submission, we review sprinkler permit applications for completeness and may ask for updates if key information is missing. 
  • Applications that meet all the requirements are reviewed for compliance with applicable regulations.
  • We will issue permits when any outstanding issues are resolved.

  Fast Track sprinkler permit process

  • Eligible permits may be issued within 24 hours. Learn more about Fast Track eligibility
  • Applications are checked for completeness, but are not subject to full review before we issue your permit. 
  • Regular inspection process is required. 

  Help shape the Fast Track sprinkler permit initiative 

  We'll adjust the process based on your feedback and results. Email [email protected]

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  Fast Track eligibility

  Fast Track processing is available for complete applications of limited scope, including:

  • Buildings of 4 storeys or less above grade
  • Underground parking
  • Backflow preventers
  • Tenant improvements
  • Construction standpipes

  Fast Track processing eligibility will be subject to verification of certain information, including:

  • The Engineer of Record has been indicated using a valid EGBC Permit To Practice number External website, opens in new tab
  • The contractor has an active profile in our online system, including a valid trades qualification and business licence
  • The system as proposed is not designed as an Extra Hazard Group 1 or Group 2 (per NFPA)
  • The system as proposed is not for occupancies other than business, mercantile, or residential. Review the terms and definitions in the Building By-law PDF file (164 KB)
  • The site has not been designated for archeological protection
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  When a fire sprinkler permit is valid

  A fire sprinkler permit is valid only when:

  • Any required building permit (BP) or development building permit (DB) has been issued
  • A licensed fire sprinkler contractor has been named

  Apply for a building permit

  Important note  Any sprinkler system installed or altered without a valid permit will result in a Stop Work Order, fine, and/or requirement to reinstall work.

Steps to getting a fire sprinkler permit

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  Step 1: Determine if you need a permit

  Beginning on January 23, 2024, permits will no longer be required for:

  • Simple sprinkler repairs
  • Sprinkler head or valve replacements

  Information icon Permits are required for all other types of sprinkler system installations. Review the Council report on the sprinkler updates to the Building By-law PDF file (50 KB)

  Depending on the type of work, certain sprinkler permits may be issued within 24 hours using our Fast Track process. Find out how permits are processed

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  Step 2: Prepare required documents

  Important note All documents and drawings must be submitted at the time of your application. Review the list to make sure you have the necessary items completed and included with your application. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will result in a delay in processing your application.

  Document requirements based on the scope of work

  Documents	Less than 20 heads to install or relocate	Backflow preventer only	All other scope of work
  Plan sketch	Required	Optional	Optional
  Sealed engineering drawings and calculations	Optional	Optional	Required
  Engineer's letter	Optional	Required	Optional
  Schedule B PDF file (606 KB) from the fire protection engineer of record	Optional	Optional	Required
  Owner’s Information Certificate PDF file (505 KB)	Optional	Optional	Optional

  Additional documentation or confirmation of review by others in the design team may be required depending on the project, including:

  • Where an architect is involved, the architect's shop drawing review stamp on the sprinkler drawings (to confirm that backgrounds and scope are current and correct)
  • Where a sprinkler-based alternative solution has been applied for, the alternative solution author's shop drawing review stamp on the sprinkler drawings (to confirm that the design is consistent and the mitigating features have correctly been incorporated)
  • Where the building permit has followed the Certified Professional permitting 
  • Hydraulic calculations (or justification that hydraulic calculations are not necessary)
  • Current City water supply information for your specific site (dated no more than 1 year prior to application)
    • Submit your request by email to [email protected]
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  Step 3: Submit application and pay fees

  Important note Make sure you have all required documents and drawings compiled electronically including all required professional stamps, seals, and signatures. Verify a visible stamp or seal External website, opens in new tab

  Review the schedule of fees and permits PDF file (954 KB)

  Submission process

  1. Log into your online account (Important note If you don’t have an account, you will need to create an account before you can submit your application.)
  2. Select “Sprinkler Permit” from the list 
  3. Complete required fields
  4. Upload all your required documents and drawings before you submit
  5. Pay fees by credit card
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  Step 4: Application reviewed and processed

  We process new applications and resubmissions in the order they are received.

  Fast Track review process 

  1. We will review your submission.
  2. If your application is incomplete, we will contact you for more information.
  3. When you provide the documentation requirements, your permit application may be approved for Fast Track processing. Find out if your project is eligible for Fast Track processing.
  4. If your application is eligible for Fast Track processing, your permit application will typically be processed and issued electronically through your online account within 24 hours.

  Information icon Fast Track permits might still be selected for the regular review process to maintain program quality standards.

  Regular review process 

  1. We will review your submission.
  2. If your application is incomplete, we will contact you for more information.
  3. We may contact you about drawing or design items that must be resolved before the permit can be issued.
  4. We will review updated applications as they are received.  
  5. Applications that meet all the requirements are reviewed for compliance with applicable regulations.
  6. When outstanding issues are resolved, we will issue the permit electronically through your online account.
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  Step 5: Begin work and complete inspections

  You are authorized to start work after you receive your permit.

  Important note A copy of the issued drawings (with the City’s acceptance stamp) must be available on site during construction.

  Depending on the type of work, book an inspection after the work has been completed

  Important note Since we no longer require a permit for small scale replacements, inspections are not needed for every sprinkler installation. Determine if your work requires a permit

  Book an inspection

  Does your permit include the installation or replacement of backflow prevention assemblies? Learn about submitting backflow assembly test reports

  For newly installed backflow preventers, complete the test report form PDF file (1.8 MB) and email it to BSI Online at [email protected] at no cost.

Avoid a delay in getting your permit

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  Tips for a successful application

  Important note Incomplete applications are the most common reason for delays in issuing your sprinkler permit. Before you submit your application, make sure it is complete and coordinated. This will help make sure your application is processed quickly. 

  Most common coordination issues that we see with applications

  Important note We will send back your application for correction before we can do a full review.

  Issue with application	What you can do
  Design does not comply with all applicable regulations	Fire protection design in Vancouver must comply with the Vancouver Building By-law, the Vancouver Fire By-law, and all referenced standards. Our by-laws often supersede the referenced standards – make sure that your design meets both.
  Inconsistent drawings and documents	Make sure that your drawings and supporting documents are coordinated and consistent. Important note Information on the hydraulic calculations and Owner’s information certificate PDF file (505 KB) must match the submitted permit drawings.
  Application is inconsistent with building permit	The sprinkler permit drawings, project area, scope of work, and design standard must be consistent with the related building permit. Check to make sure that the sprinkler drawing backgrounds are the same as the latest submitted or issued building permit drawings. If they have been updated, then a building permit amendment may be required.   Confirm that the: Description of the use of the space matches the building permit (for example major occupancy, design hazard classification, and combustible content description) Sprinkler design standard indicated on the building permit drawings or description matches the sprinkler permit submission
  Mitigating features are not incorporated	Make sure that any sprinkler-related mitigating features accepted through alternative solution are incorporated into the sprinkler design and shown on the sprinkler drawings. Be sure to reference the alternative solution number on the drawings to assist with coordination.
  Fire protection engineer is not included in correspondence	The fire protection engineer of record must be the primary point of contact for technical correspondence. The applicant  must keep the rest of the design team (including the contractor, sprinkler designer, engineer of record, coordinating registered professional, and Certified Professional, if applicable) up to date on all communication received from the City to avoid misunderstandings and multiple rounds of review.
  Architect shop drawing review stamp is missing	All sprinkler drawings for projects that require the services of an architect must show the architect’s shop drawing review stamp (but not the architect’s professional seal) to indicate the scope and background are consistent with the building permit.
  Certified Professional stamp is missing	All drawings and documents for projects administered under the Certified Professional program must have the Certified Professional’s stamp (but not their professional seal) to indicate that they are part of the CP program and to confirm that the CP has reviewed them for consistency with the building permit.
  Stamps are not original	The fire protection engineer’s professional seal and the Certified Professional’s stamp on drawings and documents must be original. For : Hard copies this means “wet-ink” stamps and hand signatures Digital copies this means encryption as required by AIBC and EGBC Changes to digital files after professional seals and stamps have been applied invalidates them. Important note We are unable to accept or review applications without original seals and signatures.  (Review information about electronic permit applications for more information and technical support and verify documents External website, opens in new tab before submitting them to us Important note The architect’s shop drawing review stamp doesn't need to be encrypted when applied digitally.
  Not addressing all review comments	When resubmitting drawings or documents in response to review comments: Provide a summary of how each comment was addressed Show all changes on the drawings ("cloud”)  so we can quickly identify the new information

   

Change or withdraw your permit

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  Change an issued permit

  We understand that things change and you may need to change the scope of your permit after it has been issued.

  To request a change to an issued permit:

  1. Log into your online account
  2. Select the permit you want to change
  3. Select “Amend Application” 
  4. Provide a detailed description of the amendment request and upload any supporting documents and amended drawings 

  Important note We will review your request and provide feedback.

  Important note Amendments are reviewed in the order that they’re received and are subject to additional fees.

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  Withdraw permit application 

  We understand that things change and there are times when you need to withdraw a permit.

  Applications can be withdrawn through your online account.

  Important note An administration fee of $85 will be required to process refund requests. 

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  Resources

  • Sprinkler System Isolation Valve bulletin PDF file (1.2 MB)

  Water meter specifications

  • We recommend a water meter to track your usage External website, opens in new tab