Good Fire Plan Review Tools & Checklists?

9/23/2020

I'm an AHJ and I know many plan reviewers and inspectors in my area are new to the trade.

Does anyone have recommendation(s) for good plan review checklists or tools for plan review that would be helpful to rookie and intermediate-level plan reviewers?

Thanks in advance.

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30 Comments

Jonathan Sullivan

9/23/2020 08:13:37 am

This website has great checklists including their Code Call sheet.

In my area, PA L&I and NJ DCA have checklists that may help for plan review. They may not help with specific code installation issues like obstructions, but will help with general plan review.

https://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/codes/forms/pdf_bcpr/pr_app_guide.pdf

https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Labor-Management-Relations/bois/Documents/UCC/ucc-2.pdf

Patricia Seyford

5/12/2021 08:11:15 am

Thnaks!

Brian Gerdwagen FPE

9/23/2020 10:05:33 am

Off the top of my head, remember the NFPA 13 AA-ZZ list. Also ICC has sheets for the IBC and IFC for a code-compliance review. They are sold in packs of 25, if I remember correctly.

Mike

9/23/2020 10:07:43 am

I start with the Plans and Calculations section of each fire system installed per NFPA. Then after that, it seems to be personal preference or experience.

Anon

9/23/2020 10:40:14 am

Also check the NFSA and AFSA websites for training, both have training courses on this topic (but they may not be on-line training). I am fortunate that in our state, our State Fire Marshal's Office also hosts classes around the state and plan review is one of them.

Corey

9/23/2020 10:58:40 am

Meyer Fire has a great shop drawing checklist, its thorough and covers different NFPA additions.

Jeffrey Hugo link

9/23/2020 11:34:19 am

The NFSA has a great 2-day fire sprinkler plan review course with a handy checklist that accompanies a participant handbook. The checklist covers the area to review, the NFPA 13 or I-Code sections, plus a step-by-step process. Each step has an explanation of what to look at in the shop drawings, hydraulic calculations, and standard. This allows the plan reviewer that sits in the course to recall what was taught in course and specifically points out what to look for.

It is a onsite course, but the virtual class is coming soon.

Marc Vieno

9/23/2020 12:44:54 pm

A lot of good resources here, but there is one missing: Call up a larger AHJ and ask if they have any internal resources that they can share. Especially good if you've met some folks from other AHJ's at conferences, meetups, etc.

When I worked for a large-ish city plan review team (~20 commercial plans examiners), we had behind-the-scenes checklists and worksheets that really helped the neophytes out. They are far better than the checklists we provided the public, as we could add more specific notes, and I would make project-based notes on them and save a copy for each project. That way if something was shelved for a couple years I could jump right back in.

Jonathan Sullivan

9/24/2020 10:17:01 am

What was the logic for not providing those checklists to the public?

Marc Vieno

9/24/2020 10:28:08 am

We also had checklists for the public - those weren't as helpful to the reviewer, and are easily googlable to the extent that the OP probably already has seen several of them.

The lists I'm referring to were informal lists prepared by the more experienced reviewers, and were geared toward review efficiency and quality. For example, my favorite such list was organized in the way that made sense for me to review, in the order that I preferred. That seems more useful to OP.

Jonathan Sullivan

9/24/2020 12:01:16 pm

Makes sense to me. Thanks

Brian Anten

7/18/2022 05:45:45 am

Good morning sir. May I please have a set of the "behind the scenes checklists and worksheets" you use. I am new to plan reviewing.

Thank you.

ALAN SHEDLER

9/23/2020 02:47:33 pm

SEND ME AN EMAIL REQUEST AND I WILL FORWARD YOU OUR UNOFFICIAL WORKING PLAN

Barry Lindley link

9/24/2020 11:20:44 am

Please send me a copy of working plan

Ken Welch

9/25/2020 10:16:36 am

I would love to see a copy of the behind the scenes check sheet. Thank you.

Chris Ferguson

6/12/2021 11:16:04 am

I would love to have a copy of the check sheet.

ryan

11/15/2021 05:25:41 pm

Hi I would also like a copy of this check list

Stacy French

12/8/2021 10:14:12 am

I would be interested in seeing that as well. Thank you in advance.

Kenneth

2/8/2022 07:41:22 am

I would like to have a copy of the checklist

David Thomas link

1/30/2023 07:50:41 am

Alan, about 3 years ago, you conversing with Brian on Meyerfire about an unofficial working plan. You asked him to send you an email request. Are you at this time willing to send me one as well? I have been working as a fire plans examiner/inspector/investigator for almost 3 years and it would be very helpful to me for a more thorough plan review. If you even read this, thanks a bunch!

Ken Welch

1/30/2023 07:53:21 am

I have been trying to get that check sheet for 3 years with no luck, no one has wanted to share.

AHJ

6/4/2023 02:59:14 pm

Bummer I wanted it too haha. :P

Josh Taylor

9/14/2023 01:02:10 pm

Alan, I realize this is years old, but I like to see your sheet and see where we may have holes in our working plan review checklists.

Ken Welch

9/14/2023 01:06:53 pm

Hey Josh, I have been trying to get a copy of this sheet as well and no one has ever responded. Not sure why.

Jorge

7/29/2024 04:53:22 pm

I would love a set of your checklists and worksheets.

Thank You

Jorge Macias

5/21/2025 06:20:22 pm

would love a set of those checklists for sprinklers and alarms if you have them. Thank you.

Ken Welch

5/21/2025 08:32:39 pm

I would love to get a copy of those Checklists & Worksheets if you would not mind sending me a copy. Thank you.

Jim Hart

1/25/2026 11:41:02 am

Would like to have your unofficial working plan.

Thanks

Jorge Macias

1/25/2026 01:48:27 pm

Thank you Alan.

Brad Zelch

2/17/2026 09:26:41 am

Please send me your working pan document if willing to share

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