PLAN REVIEW

The Plan Review Section reviews building and fire protection system plans for compliance with the Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations and applicable NFPA codes and standards.

All Plan Review Submittals require a completed Application Form. Processing of Submittals is completed in date order, (first come, first served basis) For Plan Review Guidelines.

PLAN REVIEW FEES

The Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office charges a Fire Protection Plan Review Fee. The fee shall be paid by the submitter of the plans.
$5.00 – For every $1000 of construction costs up to one million dollars ($1,000,000).
$2.00 – For every $1000 of construction costs in excess of one million dollars ($1,000,000).
There shall be a minimum plans review fee of $100 on all plans submitted with estimated construction costs of less than $20,000.
If construction costs include sprinkler systems, fire alarm, fixed extinguishing systems (check all that apply), complete the application and pay the fee.

WHEN DOES THE FEE HAVE TO BE PAID?

Fees will be required to be paid at the time of the submittal. Plans will not be processed without the fee being paid. Pre-plans review meetings can be arranged, by appointment only, to present project concept prior to the official submittal of completed design documents. The pre-review meetings should be limited to one hour, and appointments should be made one week in advance. You should allow 2 to 3 weeks for the plan review process depending on volume of work. Plan reviews are processed by date of submittal. Projects that have been granted a fee waiver shall provide a copy of the waiver with the plans application.

WHEN IS A PLAN REVIEW REQUIRED?

A Plan Review is required for all buildings to be constructed, renovated, repaired or the occupancy changed. A change of occupancy is determined by the classifications of the Life Safety Code, NFPA 101.

Some examples of occupancy change include:

• A church leases an existing warehouse and wants to hold service in that building. The change is from Storage occupancy to Assembly occupancy.

• A real estate company wants to renovate a fast food establishment for use as an office. The change is from Mercantile (or Assembly if more than 50 occupants were capable of being seated) to Business occupancy. Even if they leave the kitchen as they found it!

• A church wants to use some of their classrooms for a Day Care center. The change is from Business to Day Care. Some modifications will probably be required whether or not there is a fire alarm system or if, for instance, the wall finishes are not class "C".

A REVIEW IS REQUIRED EVEN IF NO STRUCTURAL OR PLAN MODIFICATIONS ARE BEING MADE.

In a case where a new Air Conditioning system is being installed to replace an existing system, a review is necessary. We do need to review replacement of systems to verify the placement of smoke detectors. Where this new equipment is installed, that equipment must comply with the current code. The situation could exist where an old piece of equipment that has fire stats is being replaced. We will need to verify that the new equipment has the appropriate smoke detector fan shut down features required by the current code. New work in an existing building is required to comply with the current code. If the new HVAC system will require new or renovated mechanical room(s), then a floor plan in the submittal would need to include these rooms indicating any required rated walls or door assemblies and any
information as these new spaces relate to egress and other life safety systems such as a requirement for additional sprinkler heads or connections to the existing fire alarm system.

ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS TO A REQUIRED PLAN REVIEW?

The primary legal exceptions are new or renovated one or two family dwellings. If you are contemplating opening a business in your home that invites the public, such as a Day Care Center or a Hair or Nail Salon, then you are required to submit for review, even if you are not intending to modify the structure. Note that some modification may be required due to the changes of Occupancy for that part of the home that you intend to use in your business. Replacement of roofing is considered maintenance and would not require submittal. If you have any concern as to whether a modification requires plan review, write a letter to this office addressed to the Plan Review Division. Specify in the letter exactly what you propose to do to the building, indicate the occupancy classification of the building, the occupant load, and the square footage of the building. Specifically ask in your letter whether a Plan Review will be required. We will respond.

WHAT DO I NEED TO SUBMIT FOR A PLAN REVIEW?

1. Check or money order for plan review fee made payable to the City of Wilmington.

2. One set of drawings and specifications and, when applicable, stamped by the architect or civil engineer preparing the documents. All items shall be sent in one package. Submittals that require a seal that do not, or have incomplete/partial submittals will be returned without being reviewed.

3. Brief description of how building is to be used.

DRAWINGS FOR ALL WORK SHALL INCLUDE:

• Site plan drawn to scale showing project, distances to nearby buildings, fences, parking, handicapped access, location of hazardous features such as fuel storage or incinerators.

• Floor plan(s) drawn to scale showing walls and partitions, openings, door swings, built-in features, changes in elevation such as steps or ramps, dimensions, and notes to indicate what is shown and the use (room name) of each space.

• Details required explaining construction and/or other features.

• Exterior elevations if appropriate. Stair and railing details, plans, and sections.

• Schedules for doors, windows, hardware, and room finishes.

• Drawings of heating and air conditioning systems.

• Electrical drawings showing service, fire alarm, exit lighting and emergency lighting where required.

• The drawings shall clearly indicate what is existing and what changes are proposed.

• A ground floor plan showing required exits and floor plans of the entire floor(s) where work is contemplated (such as in high rise buildings).

• The number of stories and there use shall be indicated on the drawings.

DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS SHALL COMPLY WITH:

1. Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations, August 11, 2006

2. Life Safety Code NFPA 101, 2006 Edition

3. National Fire Codes (see Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations for list of adopted codes. Visit the State of Delaware Fire Marshal's Office website.

4. Handicapped Standard (ADA Accessibility Guideline or ADAAG)

5. The International Building Code, 2006 Edition.

HOW DO I SUBMIT ADDENDA, REVISIONS, ETC.?

1. Information cannot be added to submittals logged in unless requested by the review architect.

2. Additional information will be reviewed only as a complete new submittal or as requested by the review architect.

3. Addenda and change orders submissions are handled as separate projects and therefore must be submitted with a completed Plan Review Application and appropriate review fee. Some addenda reviews may require resubmission of the entire project.

4. A copy of the original submittal application is required.

QUESTIONS ABOUT FILLING OUT THE APPLICATION FORM.

Click here for application.

This information is provided to answer your questions on the proper information requested on the Plan Review Application Form.

• The information that is requested on the Plan Review Application is necessary for this office to properly track and administer the plan review and inspection process.

• In addition, the information provided helps us ensure that the proper licensing laws have been met and that your project is being safely designed in accordance with appropriate codes and regulations.

• If your project is not located within the City of Wilmington, your submittal will not be accepted and must be submitted to the State Fire Marshal’s Office for review.

FILL OUT ALL OF THE APPROPRIATE REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR YOUR PROJECT AS FOLLOWS:

PROJECT NAME:
Provide the name and correct street address you want us to use for all submittals for your project. Please use exactly the correct address on all architectural and system submittals so that a search can be performed by that address in our database.

PROJECT ADDRESS:
Do not put your mailing address here unless you are doing work in the same building that you occupy at time of application. Provide the actual municipal address of the project to be reviewed. Check with your local codes and permits office or the post office to determine what address they will assign. Use this address exactly on all applications and on any correspondence with this office. If a suite or building space number is available to further identify the project, provide that information also.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION DETAILED:
Provide a detailed description of the project along with intended use of the facility. If the project involves the installation of combustible liquid storage tanks, include a tank permit form with the application.

PURPOSE OF APPLICATION:
Please check the appropriate boxes identifying the type of review you are requesting. If you are not submitting a system design for review, you will check the "Building" box. In addition, if you are requesting a "Sprinkler" or "Fire Alarm" review, you must check the appropriate box for that information.

ESTIMATED COST OF PROJECT OR SYSTEM:
For the Building Review, insert the total projected cost of the project to include all construction without the costs of land. For Systems Reviews, only insert the actual cost or contract amount of the system being reviewed. For example, the entire project may cost $100,000 while the Fire Alarm System may cost $3,000.

SUBMITTED BY:
Provide the name and address of the of the person or Company submitting the application. Provide a contact person along with a phone number.

CONTRACTOR:
Provide the name, address and phone number of the contractor responsible for completing the construction. All fire protection system design and installation requires contractors to be licensed by the State of Delaware. Provide State FMO License # number on Fire Protection Plan Review Application.

PLANS REVIEW AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FORM
Complete the additional information sheet with as much information as you can, that pertains to the building or location of your project. This information will help the plans examiner apply the appropriate codes and standards to your project.

APPEAL RIGHTS
You have the right to appeal this order. The appeal must be in writing and filed with the Office of the Commissioner of the Department of Licenses and Inspections within ten (10) days of the notice being appealed. Each appeal shall be accompanied by:

1. A written petition setting forth:
   
   a. The principle points upon which the appeal is made.
   b. Specific reference to the provisions of the applicable code section(s) upon which the appeal is based.
   c. The named and addresses of the owners of all other properties affected by the appeal.
   
2. A non-refundable fee of fifty dollars ($50.00).

The appeal should be addressed as follows:

Secretary
Board of Licenses and Inspections Review
Louis L. Redding City/County Building – 3rd Floor
800 French Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
(302) 576-3030

A hearing will be scheduled before the Board of Licenses and Inspections Review. At this hearing, you may introduce evidence and/or witnesses to support your appeal. An attorney may represent you, or you may choose to present your appeal on your own. Te Board of Licenses and Inspections Review has the authority to affirm, modify, reverse, vacate, or revoke the action for which the appeal is being made. A written notice of the Board’s decision will follow the hearing.

For orders referencing Chapter 12 of the City of Wilmington Code, the appeal must be in writing and filed with the Office of the Commissioner of the Department of Licenses and Inspection within ten (10) days of receipt of the notice being appealed.

The State Fire Marshal, who will determine if the Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations have been appropriately interpreted and applied, shall review all other appeals for violations referencing the Delaware State Fire Prevention Regulations.

Each appeal will be submitted in accordance with Section One above and addressed as follows:

Secretary
Board of Licenses and Inspections Review
Louis L. Redding City/County Building – 3rd Floor
800 French Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
(302) 576-3030

Upon receiving the appeal this office will contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal to arrange for a review of the enforcement action. The State Fire Marshal will make a report to the Sate Fire Prevention Commission of his findings.

Any person alleging that there is error in an order or decision of the State Fire Marshal may then appeal to the State Fire Prevention Commission within 45 days after such order or decision is made.

The Plan Review application is a PDF document and requires Acrobat Reader to view & print. Need Acrobat Reader? Click the Adobe logo to download a free version.