Chesterfield Fire & EMS

Fire & Life Safety Plans Review Section

The Plans Review Section is responsible for performing a comprehensive review of all plans for new construction and renovation of commercial and multi-family residential buildings to assure compliance with the fire protection/life safety provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and local ordinances. A commercial building permit cannot be issued without approval of the Fire Department. Working independently, or as part of a review team, the section is responsible for:

• Zoning/Land Use Cases
• Site Plans
• Building Construction Plans
• Fire Suppression System Plans
• Fire Alarm System Plans
• Special Hazard Fire Suppression System Plans (such as range/hood fire suppression systems)

During construction the Plans Review Section works closely with the Department of Building Inspections performing on-site inspection and final acceptance testing of fire protection systems (alarms, sprinklers, special hazard protection, etc.) to ensure compliance with the approved design and the provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

For information about a specific area, click on the links below:

• Customer Survey - The purpose of the survey is to benchmark our progress and determine other areas needing
• improvements.
• Fire Auxiliary Checklists - To assist you in the preparation of your plan and permit submission.
• Walk-thru Process – Same day approval of minor renovations to existing fire sprinkler and fire protection underground systems.

The Communicator – Plan Review Newsletter keeps the customer updated on all new requirements or procedures and can be downloaded, viewed and printed using free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader.

Fire & EMS Plans Review Section Customer Satisfaction Survey Results – 2004

In February of 2004, a customer service satisfaction survey was distributed to over 370 design professionals, contractors, and industrial customers. We received 74 responses to the 2004 survey for a 20 percent return rate. Respondents were asked to rate our performance in several areas ranging from our knowledge, consistency and customer service skills. The bar chart below illustrates the overall results of the survey. The overall conclusion is we rate above the midpoint in all questions. The 2004 results seem to indicate that changes made since 2003 have helped. In the past year, the plans review staff has focused on training. Every month they have an eight-hour training session. This has enabled them to have better knowledge of the codes and to be consistent on interpreting the codes/inspections among staff. You will see that the survey results reflect there have been improvements.

View the bar chart which illustrates the overall results of the survey. (Requires free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader).

Open-ended question was asked, on “How the Plans Review Staff can better serve you as customer regarding our inspection and review processes”. We receive 44 customer comments expressing praise and some indicating areas needing improvement. The results suggest that most of our customers are satisfied and that they are pleased with the performance of the Plans Review Section. There have been some changes to our processes already implemented and more are to come in the future. We are constantly looking for improvements on our processes, if you have any comments or recommendations; please feel free to contact Kim Lester, at

804-748-1489, fax 804-748-8766, email lesterk@chesterfield.gov . We plan to conduct a follow up survey every year to benchmark our progress and determine other areas needing improvement.

Customer Service Innovations Submission Checklists

To assist you in the preparation of your plan and permit submission, the Plans Review Section has prepared the following checklists. By carefully following the checklists, you reduce the chance that your plan will be returned to you for lack of basic required information. This speeds up plan approval process.

The checklists are in .pdf format and can be downloaded, viewed and printed using free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader.

• Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
• Fire Alarm
• Fire Flow Estimate
• Fire Sprinkler
• Fire Protection Underground Installation
  • Thrust Detail
  • Fire Protection Riser
• Horizontal Standpipes
• Waterflow Test Form
• Wet Chemical Extinguishing System
• Site Plan Submittal Check List

Walk-Thru Review

You can get same-day approval of your permit for minor renovations to existing fire sprinkler systems and for installations of fire protection underground mains. Take advantage of the Walk-Thru Review Process!

Your project must meet the following criteria for the Walk-Thru Sprinkler Review:

1. No work performed in the hydraulically remote area
2. No more than five new sprinklers added to the existing system
3. No more than 30 sprinklers relocated on the existing system
4. All plans must be "Walked Thru" by a representative of the installing contractor. The contractor's representative must be able to make minor changes to the plan as required for approval.
5. No more than two projects may be submitted for review on one visit, unless approved by the plans review technician.

Almost all installations of fire protection underground mains may go through the Walk-Thru Review Process.

Walk-Thru Reviews are conducted on Wednesdays and Fridays between 2:00 and 4:30 p.m. The permit application first must be filed with the Department of Building Inspections. Once the permit fee has been paid, and the application processed, please ask the permit clerk to return your plans. Then, bring the plans and a copy of the permit application to the Fire and Life Safety Division for review. Customers will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contact Us

Telephone: (804) 748-1404

E-mail: kinnierf@chesterfield.gov