Fire Plans Review

Inspection Services Division (ISD) is the primary contact for building and fire protection system plan review in Arlington County. Direct questions about system design, building code requirements, permit applications, and building or fire protection systems permit review status to ISD.

The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) has a limited role in the plans review process. Our office reviews civil site plans for fire department access and related emergency response needs. OFM does not review or approve plans for new fire protection systems or modifications to those systems.

Visit Arlington's Inspection Services Division (ISD's) Fire Protection Systems Permit page for requirements and application instructions. For general building review questions, visit Inspection Services Division or call 703-228-3800.

Which Office Handles My Question?

What OFM Reviews on Civil Site Plans

Our review focuses on whether fire apparatus and personnel can reach buildings, position equipment, and operate effectively during an emergency.

• Access roads: Location, continuity, and unobstructed width of fire apparatus access routes. Generally, provide at least 20 feet of clear width for standard apparatus access roads and 26 feet where aerial access is required, subject to applicable exceptions. These are access widths, not total rights-of-way or widths that include parking. Required access widths must remain unobstructed. Applicable exceptions and project-specific access requirements must be addressed during plan review. Code references: Virginia SFPC §§503.1.1, 503.2.1, 503.2.2 and 503.4; Arlington-adopted Appendix D §D105.2.

• Dead ends and turnarounds: Dead-end road lengths and turnaround layouts that accommodate responding apparatus. Dead-end apparatus access roads exceeding 150 feet require an approved turnaround. Code references: Virginia SFPC §§503.2.4–503.2.5; Arlington-adopted Appendix D §D103.4 and Table D103.4.

• Apparatus movement: Turning paths, vehicle clearances, grades, and approach/departure angles at entrances, intersections, curves, gates, and turnarounds. Plans must account for tire paths, body overhang, apparatus dimensions, and obstructions that affect movement, including parked vehicles, curbs, and landscaping. Code references: Virginia SFPC §§503.2.2, 503.2.4, 503.2.7–503.2.8, 503.4 and 503.6; Arlington Fire Code §503.5.2.

• Aerial operations: Apparatus positioning, overhead clearance, and space for outrigger deployment. Supporting surfaces must accommodate applicable apparatus loads, including outrigger loads where vehicles operate on elevated surfaces. Code references: Virginia SFPC §§503.2.1–503.2.3 and 503.2.6; Arlington-adopted Appendix D §§D105.1–D105.4.

• Hydrants and fire department connections: Placement, visibility, accessibility, usable hose connection routes, and clear working space. Arlington generally requires a hydrant within 75 feet of sprinkler or standpipe fire department connections, unless otherwise approved, and 3 feet of clear space around hydrants and FDCs. OFM’s site coordination does not constitute approval of system design. Code references: Virginia SFPC §§507.5.1, 507.5.4, 912.2, 912.2.1, 912.4 and 912.4.2; Arlington Fire Code §§507.5.1.1 and 507.5.5.

• Knox Boxes: Placement that supports prompt emergency entry. The primary box must be adjacent to the main entrance on the street-address side or another approved location, mounted 42–54 inches above the ground. Additional boxes may be required based on the site layout. Code references: Virginia SFPC §506.1; Arlington Fire Code §§506.1.4–506.1.5.

• Fire control rooms: Coordination with ISD on fire control room/fire command center location and emergency responder access. ISD handles construction and system design review. The references below support emergency access and agency coordination; they do not independently assign new room location approval to OFM. Code references: Virginia SFPC §§504.1, 508.1 and 102.6.

• Fire lanes: Designation, signs, and pavement or curb markings needed to maintain emergency access. Arlington’s requirements address sign specifications, placement, yellow curb markings, maintenance, and prohibited obstructions. Code references: Virginia SFPC §§503.3–503.4 and 503.7; Arlington Fire Code §§503.1.1, 503.3.1–503.3.4 and 503.4.2; Arlington-adopted Appendix D §D103.6.

References are to the 2021 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC) and Arlington County’s local amendments. Arlington Fire Code references use the model-code section numbers incorporated through County Code §8.1-22. Arlington’s local §103.1.2 adopts Appendix D with amendments.

Virginia SFPC regulations and amendments | Arlington County Fire Prevention Code (PDF)

Preparing for OFM Civil Site Review

Your plans should clearly show the following, as applicable:

• Fire apparatus access road widths, dead-end lengths, and turnaround dimensions.
• Routes and turning paths for fire apparatus.
• Areas where aerial apparatus will park and deploy outriggers.
• Hydrants, fire department connections, proposed Knox Boxes, and fire control room entrances.

Identify any obstacles that could affect emergency access and explain how access will remain available during each phase of construction.

Use ACFD’s aerial ladder truck turning diagrams and load specifications when preparing your plans. As our largest apparatus, it must be able to enter, move through, and operate on the site. Base all turning and load calculations on this vehicle, including its outrigger loads, and follow Arlington’s fire lane sign and marking standards.

Site Plan Review Resources

Click Here for ACFD Aerial Ladder and Pumper Specifications(PDF, 83KB) - Apparatus dimensions and turning information for site design.

Click Here for ACFD Aerial Ladder Load Analysis(PDF, 76KB) -Aerial ladder load information for site design.

Click Here for Arlington Fire Lane Sign and Marking Standards(PDF, 240KB) - Requirements for fire lane signs, placement, and curb and pavement markings.

How the Reviews Work Together

OFM reviews civil site plans for fire department access and emergency response needs, working with ISD and other County reviewers. OFM’s acceptance of a site layout does not replace ISD approval or give permission to begin construction or install fire protection systems.

ISD is responsible for reviewing and approving building plans under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, as outlined in Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code Section 102.6

Contact the Correct Review Office

Building and fire protection system plans: Contact ISD at 703-228-3800. If your question concerns an existing ISD review comment, contact the reviewer identified on that comment.

Civil site fire access and the OFM topics listed above: Contact the Office of the Fire Marshal at 703-228-4644 or fire-firecodeinquiry@arlingtonva.us. Include the project address, applicable plan or permit number, and your specific site access question.

Unsure where to start with a building or fire protection system plan question? Start with Inspection Service Division (ISD).