Keep in mind that each fire marshal is a bit different and although they are all using the same code books the interpretation can be different.

1. In Utah most fire marshals require outdoor horn strobes and some engineers put them on the plans and others don’t.

2. In Utah many areas require a 3rd Party review which can add to the cost of the project.

3. Permit costs will vary depending on the city. I had one warehouse in Salt Lake that the permit cost was over $800 so that is another variable to consider.

4. Code does not require class A wiring in most cases although many Utah fire marshals do so when an engineer designs a job with class B wiring and the fire marshal requires class A that can double your wire and make the labor more expensive.

5. Most Electrical Engineers put put verbiage on their plans and specifications that require the fire alarm contractor to add anything needed to meet code which covers the Engineer from liability or responsibility if something was left out.

6. When we bid a job using the plans and engineer designed we do so order for the owner to get apples to apples bids so any items that need to be added can be pointed out at bid time. Often I will give two bids, one to the drawing and another to meet code.

7. As an owner it is prudent to hire an electrical engineer to design your project and then it is prudent to run those preliminary drawings past the local fire marshal for items that he or she may want that are not on the drawings and then put the project out to bid. Taking this extra step can save headaches later on.

8. Call Larry Love at Peak Alarm for proposals on Fire Alarm, Access Control, Cameras or security systems. 801 898 6003 Larry@peakalarm.com