Rainier Fire installs, inspects, services and monitors commercial fire alarm systems in Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, Snoqualmie and across the Eastside, as part of serving all of Washington. Some of these cities run their own permits end to end, and others share a regional fire authority. Here’s who does what, and what we take care of for you.
Who issues the permits
A fire alarm project usually needs two permits: a fire alarm permit from the fire authority, which reviews the design, and an electrical permit for the wiring. On the Eastside, who issues them depends on the city:
- Bellevue: the city’s Fire Prevention Division handles fire alarm permitting, plan review and inspection, through the city’s Development Services. The electrical permit comes from the City of Bellevue too: it’s one of about two dozen Washington cities that issue their own electrical permits and inspections instead of the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
- Redmond: the city’s Fire Prevention staff take the fire alarm permit application and review the plans. Redmond issues its own electrical permits as well, and so does Kirkland.
- Snoqualmie: the City of Snoqualmie requires a permit to install or modify a fire alarm system. The electrical permit comes from L&I.
- Issaquah and North Bend: Eastside Fire & Rescue does plan review and new construction inspections for these cities, along with Sammamish, Mercer Island, Woodinville, Duvall and Carnation. The electrical permit comes from L&I.
For other cities, we confirm the right agency for your address before work starts. On jobs where your electrician pulls the electrical permit, such as our Parts & Smarts program for electrical contractors, we handle the fire alarm permit and design.
Design review by a NICET III
Washington requires fire alarm construction documents to be reviewed by a NICET Level III in Fire Alarm Systems, a Level III certified fire alarm designer or a licensed professional engineer before they’re submitted for a permit (WAC 51-54A-0907). Rainier Fire’s designs are stamped by a NICET III, so that review is built in, not an extra step. More on how we design and install systems.
Reports go through The Compliance Engine
Most Eastside fire authorities collect yearly inspection reports through The Compliance Engine, an online system fire departments use to collect inspection reports:
- Bellevue requires fire alarm test reports to be submitted online, with a test of every device reported each year.
- Redmond tracks yearly fire alarm tests in The Compliance Engine, and its Fire Alarm Operational Permit is renewed each year alongside that report.
- Kirkland accepts inspection and testing reports only through The Compliance Engine.
- Eastside Fire & Rescue requires contractors to submit all reports, passing or not, through The Compliance Engine on behalf of their customers.
In Snoqualmie and elsewhere, we file the report the way that fire authority requires. Either way, you don’t have to send it yourself. See how our inspection and testing works.
What we do on the Eastside
- Installation & design for new construction and tenant improvements, from plans to fire department acceptance.
- Inspection & testing, with the report filed for you.
- Panel replacement & upgrades when a panel reaches end of life.
- Monitoring & cellular communicators, so your alarm keeps reporting as copper phone lines are retired.
- Parts & Smarts for electrical contractors who want to keep the fire alarm scope.
Have a building on the Eastside?
Tell us the address and what you need. We’ll confirm who issues the permits there and take it from there.
Get a QuoteSources
- City of Bellevue Fire Department, Plan Review, Fire Permits and Fire Alarm Test Report.
- City of Redmond, Fire Permits, Fire & Life Safety Inspection Program and Fire Alarm Operational Permit.
- City of Kirkland, Fire Prevention Bureau.
- City of Snoqualmie, Do I Need a Permit?
- Eastside Fire & Rescue, Fire Prevention and Fire Protection System Inspection & Testing.
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, City electrical permits and inspections.
- Washington Administrative Code, WAC 51-54A-0907, fire alarm design review.