Who does the plan review?

We are the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for water-based fire protection (sprinkler and standpipe) systems in the state unless delegated to a local authority. The list of delegated authorities can be found on our web page under “Services > Licensing and permits > Fire sprinklers.”

All non-water-based fire suppression and alarm system plans may be submitted to the local AHJ. These are the occupancies where fire sprinkler plan review is done by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) - Construction Code and Licensing Division (CCLD):

• Public buildings where the state or agency pays for the project. (MnDOT, etc.)
• Public and charter schools where the entire building project value exceeds $100,000.00, and State Universities and Technical Colleges.
• Hospitals, Nursing Homes, State Correctional Facilities, and free-standing outpatient surgical centers.

Choosing a design standard

Fire sprinkler contractors are tasked with applying the applicable design standard based on occupancy and use. Once verified, fire sprinkler plans will be reviewed to the currently adopted editions of the applicable NFPA Standard and the Minnesota State Fire Code (MSFC.)

When is a permit required?

Where the SFM is the AHJ, a permit is required for any of the following situations:

• All new installations involving twenty or more sprinklers.
• Alterations to existing installations involving twenty or more sprinklers.
• Where the value of the work exceeds $2,500.

Permits are required for sprinkler installations in one- and two-family dwellings (NFPA 13D installations).

A completed permit application and payment of fees shall accompany the plan submittal package.

What should the submittal include?

The submittal package should include the following:

• Permit application and fee
• Completed owner’s certificate
• Plan (minimum of one, up to three copies if submitting hard copies)
• The hydraulically most demanding remote area calculations
• Manufacturers’ data sheets for specialty items – such as:
  • Double-check valve assemblies
  • Dry pipe valves
  • Non-standard sprinklers (such as extended coverage, ESFR, CMSA, etc.)
  • Fire pump data (including recent annual pump test curves when existing fire pumps and being used)
  • Release devices for pre-action and deluge systems
• Any special design criteria (such as insurance company requirements, performance-based designs, or alternatives requested)