Colorado Department of Public Safety

Division of Fire Safety

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Fire Suppression Program

News & Updates

Contractors Applications for 2012 are now available (see below).
Underground contractors shall be required to submit plans and specifications and have their work inspected for compliance.
All inspections must be scheduled using the online application below (See: Inspection Requests).

Inspection Requests

PLEASE ALLOW UP TO ONE WEEK FROM TIME OF REQUEST FOR INSPECTION TO BE PERFORMED. To request an inspection for a construction project, please complete the Inspection Request Form
and select the "submit" button on the form. If you have any questions, please call 303-239-4600 or send an email to DFS-inspections@cdps.state.co.us.

The person requesting the inspection will be contacted two days before the inspection.

Suppression Program Overview

The Colorado Fire Suppression System Program began on January 1, 1991. It was created by Senate Bill 90-4 which was signed into law on May 18, 1990. The purpose of the Colorado Fire Suppression Program is to ensure that life safety systems, installed in commercial and residential occupancies, are installed and maintained properly, according to nationally recognized standards.

The public assumes that when they see a fire protection system installed in a building, they are afforded a high degree of protection from injury or death should a fire occur. National statistics show that death and injury are significantly reduced when fires occur in protected buildings where the systems are properly installed, maintained and protected by tamper devices that prevent malicious damage to the systems. However; the Colorado fire suppression contractors and fire prevention inspectors who testified to the Legislative Sunrise/Sunset Committee prior to enactment of Senate Bill 90-4 cited several instances where fire protection systems in Colorado were installed improperly or not maintained, and as a consequence may not operate as intended.
Program Requirements

In order to meet the high standards expected from this program, certain requirements are imposed by statute:

That any individual, firm, corporation, association, or organized group of persons that individually or through others, offers to undertake, represents itself as being able to undertake, or does undertake to sell, layout, fabricate, install, modify, alter, maintain, or perform maintenance inspections on any fire suppression system must register as a fire suppression contractor with the Colorado fire suppression administrator.
That no installation, modification, alteration, or repair of a fire suppression system shall be completed and cleared for use, and no structure or partial structure in which a fire suppression system is installed, modified, altered, or repaired shall be cleared for occupancy until the system has been approved by a certified fire suppression systems inspector. This approval includes review of approved working plans and hydraulic calculations, installation inspections, and final tests.
That every inspection of a fire suppression system be conducted by a person certified as having met the inspection and training requirements set by the administrator.
That the administrator or his agent shall be available to provide such fire safety inspections to any county, municipality, or special district on a contractual or job by job basis.
That the administrator establish a program for registration of fire suppression contractors and adopt rules and regulations as may be necessary to administer the fire suppression program for registration of fire suppression contractors and inspection of fire suppression systems.
That the administrator receive, investigate, and act upon complaints against those persons who violate any of the provisions of the statutes or any rule or regulation adopted by the administrator.

As a direct result of this program, there is a marked improvement in the quality, integrity and performance of fire suppression systems being installed, maintained, and monitored in the State. Requiring registration for contractors and certification for inspectors has created a high degree of discipline and self improvement among these vocations.

For more information concerning the Colorado Fire Suppression Program please contact: Steve Gasowski

Fire Suppression Program Applications and Procedures

Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 24-33.5-1206.1: No person and/or company shall act, assume to act, or advertise as a fire suppression contractor who is not registered as a fire suppression contractor with the Director of the Division of Fire Safety.

Fire Suppression Contractor

Backflow Contractor

Underground Contractor

Fire Suppression Inspector

Important Contractor Information

All contractor registrations expire on December 31st of the current year regardless of when you register; unless it is revoked or suspended.
Please be advised that any fire suppression, underground, or backflow contractor who currently has an outstanding balance over 60 days with the Division of Fire Safety will not be renewed
until such time that all accounts are made current.
Companies or contractors who design or install any combination of suppression, backflow, or underground systems must register for each certification separately.
Underground contractors are urged to read the new application requirements.
New and renewal Fire Suppression Contractor registrations are $100.

General Information

Fire Suppression Program Rules

Fire Suppression Fees

Fire Suppression Program Statutes

Fire Watch Guidance

Colorado State Department of Health: Plan Review Information (For healthcare-related facilities only).

Frequently Asked Questions and Related Information

FAQ

Procedures for Plan Review and Inspections

Fire Suppression Contractor and Inspector Listings (Updated February, 2012)

Sprinkler Fitters Program

Registered Sprinkler Fitters

Plan Intake Form (PDF)

Antifreeze Use In Sprinkler Systems

NFPA 25 Testing of Sprinkler Systems Using Antifreeze

Complaint Process