Smoke control permits are required for the installation or modification of smoke control systems regulated by the 2021 International Fire Code, International Building Code, NFPA 72/92/101, UL/UUKL, and the Shoreline Municipal Code. A separate fire permit is required for each smoke control system.

Please review Shoreline Municipal Code (SMC) 15.05.050 to learn more about the City’s amendments to the International Fire Code. If you have questions about the City’s fire code or submittal requirements, please email the Shoreline Fire Marshal’s Office at fmo@shorelinefire.com; their staff can walk you through the requirements.

How to Apply

Apply for this permit online at the City of Shoreline's eTRAKiT permitting portal. Once you are logged into your account, select Apply/New Permit from the left-hand sidebar and select the following permit type from the drop-down menu: Pre-Intake Record.

Once PIN requests are submitted, the rest of the intake process is facilitated by a permit technician. A permit technician will send further instructions by email to complete the process. 

Required Documents

Sprinkler system plans, calculations, and contractors materials and test certificates submitted to the
City shall be stamped pursuant to WAC 212-80-083 including stamps for NFPA 13, 13D, and 13R. In addition to the checklist below, any item listed in NFPA 72 7.1 may be required before a permit is accepted for review as per the fire code official.

• Permit Application and Critical Area Worksheet
• Submittal Fee
  • Please reference the City's fee schedule for current application fees.
• Construction Drawings – scaled drawings showing the proposed work.
  • Completed smoke control system submittal checklist
  • Copy of conceptual design report
  • Smoke control system plans

Additional Documents (After Conceptual Approval)

• Smoke Control Plan
  • Must include:
    • Conceptual analysis consistent with the buidling permit
    • Panel design and placement
    • Name and qualifications of fire protection engineer who prepared the plans
• Other documents as required by current adopted IFC and IBC, Section 909
  • Detailed design report and construction drawings shall be submitted for review and approval
    prior to installation. The approved Building permit plan set shall be used for the submittal of the
    detailed design report for the system. Because of the complexity of smoke control systems, it is
    important that the detailed design documents clearly identify the expected performance of the
    system. These documents must also clearly identify the expected performance of each
    component in the smoke control system. Components include all passive and active elements
    that work together to provide smoke control in accordance with current adoptedIFC/IBC Section
    909.
  • The detailed design report, based on the conceptual design report, including the smoke control
    system rational analysis, must be prepared by a professional engineer competent in the design
    of smoke control systems. This rational analysis must be stamped by the professional engineer.
    The detailed design report shall be a bound document, independent of design plans, and
    minimally include the following:
    • A general narrative description of the building. This description will include identification
      of building uses and occupancies as well as passive and active fire protection features
      that will work together with the smoke control system.
    • A narrative description of each passive and active smoke zone. Every space in a
      building requiring smoke control must be identified as an active or passive smoke zone,
      with measurable performance criteria identified.
    • A description of which methods will be used for each active smoke control zone and
      supporting rational analysis in accordance with IFC Section 909.4. This description will
      include such items as minimum required fan size, expected fire loads, ceiling heights,
      computer modeling, calculations, and locations of operable windows and/or doors.
    • Specific discussion of how smoke control will be initiated in each zone and the
      associated system responses. A simple and clear event matrix shall be provided.
    • Calculations associated with the smoke control system design and fan capacities.
    • Identification of anticipated system performance, especially with regard to pressurized
      stairwells/hoist ways, during stack effect conditions. Provide calculations demonstrating
      minimum and maximum pressure differentials to be observed during and in the absence
      of any stack effect.
    • A description of smoke dampers and fire/smoke dampers, including which dampers will
      be supervised for damper position, the position of unsupervised dampers when the
      smoke control system is active, damper positions upon loss of power, actuation
      temperature of fire and fire/smoke dampers.
    • Identification of coordinated zones for sprinkler and fire alarm systems with regard to
      smoke control zones.
    • Identification of where variable frequency drives are to be used for smoke control
      equipment and the method of control.
    • The piston effect of elevators.
    • A description of fire modeling or other performance-based analysis utilized in the design
      of the smoke control system. Purpose of the analysis, as well as associated
      assumptions and conclusions must be clearly identified.
    • Any related material that supports the design of the smoke control system.
    • The signature and stamp of the professional engineer responsible for the rational
      analysis.
    • Provide a detailed event matrix that includes every fire alarm and smoke control
      initiating device by address down one column and every fire alarm notification device
      (by zone), every smoke control device (e.g. fans, dampers), and every other event that
      must occur in order for proper operation of the smoke control system (e.g. HVAC
      shutdown) across the top. With prior approval, some devices may be combined. This
      matrix may be divided into one matrix for smoke control devices and one matrix for non-
      smoke control devices.
  • The following drawings must be included with the smoke control submittal:
    • Smoke control zone drawings.
    • Drawings depicting the fire rating of associated smoke barriers.
    • Drawings demonstrating pressurization control and power wiring routing and protection.
    • Drawings demonstrating fire alarm wiring routing and protection.
    • Smoke control mechanical equipment and ductwork drawings.
  • The submittal for each associated permit, including architectural, mechanical, electrical, fire
    alarm, and fire sprinkler plans, are not required to be submitted with the smoke control plan.
    However, each of these associated permits shall include the following:
    • Clear identification where passive zones and active zones are provided.
    • Smoke zone boundaries shall be identified; these boundaries are required to be
      constructed as smoke barriers and shall be appropriately identified in the architectural
      plan set.
    • A concise narrative description of the smoke control system for the building and any
      special requirements of the design.
    • A letter prepared by each designer stating that their design satisfies the requirements of
      the smoke control system.

Additional Permits (Possibly Required)

These are additional permit that may be required to accompany your project application depending on your scope of work.

• Electrical Permit
  • Modifications to, or installation of electrical circuits and fixtures.
  • Permits are through Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I), not through the City of Shoreline.
• Fire Alarm Permit
  • For the installation of or modification to fire alarm systems.
• Fire Sprinkler Permit
  • For the installation of/or modifications to fire sprinkler systems.
• Mechanical Permit
  • For the installation of or modifications to mechanical systems.