Fire Plan Review

Submit a Fire Plan for Review

  1. First, register an account on our online permit portal, Accela. Follow this guide:
    You may skip this step if you already have an account.
    Guide to Registering
  2. Then, open our guide to submit a Fire Plan on Accela.
    Guide to Submitting
  3. Click the following link to open Accela and follow the steps in the Guide to Submitting.
    Submit Fire Plan

Questions? Please email BA Support at [email protected].


The Brookline Fire Prevention Division requires adherence to the following guidelines when submitting plans for review. Plans are required for any new fire suppression or alarm systems. Significant alteration to the aforementioned systems or occupancy user group changes may also necessitate a plan review.

Residential Plan Reviews

All new residential construction or significant renovation requires a plan review. The need for a plan review will be determined during the evaluation of the building permit application. If a property requires a plan review, all plans must be submitted through the online portal (see directions below). Residential plans should include one set of floor plans with detailed labels of all fire protections systems. The following items may serve as a guide for items that should be included:

  • Smoke detector locations
  • Carbon monoxide detector locations
  • Heat detector locations
  • Scale and distances from relevant features (ie. distance in feet of detector from bedroom door)
  • Narrative indicating system type (interconnected line voltage, low voltage, wireless, etc.)
  • Fire alarm panel locations (in the case of low-voltage systems)
  • Sprinkler system type and fire pump location (if required)
  • Sprinkler locations (if required)

Commercial Plan Reviews

All new commercial construction, significant modification or change in occupancy will require a plan review. Depending on scope and complexity, plan reviews may be performed by the Brookline Fire Department or routed for a third party review (see further information below). The following list may serve as a guide for items that should be included:

  • Narrative report:
    1. Basis (methodology) of design for the protection of the occupancy and hazards for compliance with 780 CMR and applicable NFPA standards, in the form of a narrative report.
    2. Sequence of operation of all fire protection systems and operation in the form of a narrative report.
    3. Testing criteria to be used for final system acceptance in the form of a narrative report
  • Dedicated plans that indicate the use of all rooms and document the location of all fire alarm equipment and devices in accordance with NFPA 72. The sequences of operation shall appear on the fire alarm plans as well as the narrative report.
  • Fire alarm equipment and device symbol legend.
  • Primary power connection.
  • Details of ceiling height and construction.
  • The interface of fire safety control functions
  • The location of any equipment or devices that directly interface with the fire alarm system.
  • Fire alarm system riser diagram.

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