New commercial construction is a sequence of fire protection installations — each of which has to be done correctly, in order, and approved by the AHJ before you can move to the next step. Miss any of them and your TCO gets delayed.
Plan Review with the AHJ
Before a shovel touches the ground, your architect's fire protection plans need to be reviewed and approved by the local AHJ. This is where they check that your sprinkler layout meets NFPA 13, your alarm system design meets NFPA 72, your means of egress meets IBC Chapter 10. Plan review can take weeks. Start early.
Hydrant Flow Testing
Before your sprinkler designer can finalize hydraulic calculations, they need a current hydrant flow test. This gives the actual static pressure, residual pressure, and flow rate available to your building. Old flow test data is useless — AHJs typically require tests less than a year old.
Underground Fire Water Main
The underground fire service main from the city water connection is often the first fire protection work performed. It requires AHJ inspection before backfill, and a full flush and hydrostatic test before connection to the building.
Sprinkler Installation
Sprinkler installation typically happens in parallel with HVAC and electrical rough-in. Overhead mains first, then branch lines, then heads. Required inspections: rough-in inspection before ceiling, hydrostatic test before occupancy, and final inspection with full system in operation.
Fire Alarm Installation
Fire alarm wiring pulls during electrical rough-in. Device installation and programming happens near the end of construction. Required: rough-in inspection, pre-test, and formal acceptance test with the AHJ present.
Kitchen Hood Suppression (if applicable)
For any building with a commercial kitchen, hood suppression installation and testing needs to be coordinated with the kitchen equipment installer. UL 300 system required.
Emergency Lighting
Emergency egress lighting and exit sign installation and testing. 90-minute capacity test required before TCO. Photometric testing may be required for higher-occupancy buildings.
Extinguishers and Signage
Portable fire extinguishers placed per NFPA 10 (every 75 feet maximum travel distance). All tagged with current inspection dates. Appropriate signage installed throughout.
Pre-TCO Final Inspection
The AHJ performs a final fire/life-safety walk-through. Everything's tested, all systems are operating, documentation is in place. When this passes, your TCO is issued.
The best general contractors bring their fire protection contractor onto the team during design — not in the middle of construction. That coordination saves weeks on the back end. Fire Solutions NW works with GCs on new commercial construction across 13 states. Call 1-855-876-3473.