Alarm Installations

All alarms installed by contractors require an electrical permit.

COMMERCIAL FIRE ALARMS

Baltimore County Fire Code requires that all fire alarm installations and maintenance of all commercial fire alarm systems be in compliance with the requirements of the Fire Prevention and Building Codes of Baltimore County and shall be installed by a fire alarm contractor listed by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or another nationally-recognized testing laboratory (NRTL). Fire alarm systems installed by non-UL listed companies will not be accepted by the Fire Department.

CERTIFICATION AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

• Fire alarm certification is required on all new, commercial, fire alarm installations.
• Any changes (additions or subtractions to an existing certified system must be recertified upon completion. The only time a recertification is not necessary would be if, for example, the location of a strobe or pull station was changed without adding or subtracting any elements of the system.
• A separate electrical permit is required for any commercial fire alarm system. Upon completion, a certificate from the NRTL is required.
• Residential Fire Alarms.

WIRELESS SECURITY ALARMS

The Wireless Security Alarm Certification may be applied to wireless residential installations and wireless commercial installations when not installed as an element of new construction.