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Contractor/Design Professional Information
Life-Safety System Inspection Reports and Fire Alarm Notices of Service
All life-safety systems are required to be inspected by an appropriately licensed contractor per the applicable NFPA standard. Florida State Statute 633.312(3)(a) requires the inspecting contractor to provide the local authority having jurisdiction a copy of the applicable uniform summary inspection report. Reports for locations within the City limits of Lakeland shall be e-mailed to prevention@lakelandgov.net.
Monitored fire alarm systems also have the following requirements, listed in the FAC 69A-48.008:
- Monitored fire alarm systems shall be installed and operated in accordance with the applicable NFPA standards incorporated by reference in Rule 69A-3.012, FAC.
- Any person currently providing or proposing to provide fire alarm monitoring services to protected premises (service provider) shall notify the authority having jurisdiction in writing at least ten days before offering the service. The service provider shall notify the authority having jurisdiction verbally within 24 hours of discontinuing monitoring services to a protected premise. The service provider shall confirm the verbal notification by submitting written notification to the authority having jurisdiction within ten days of the discontinuance of monitoring services.
- If there is a change in service provider for an existing fire alarm monitoring service, the new service provider shall, within 48 hours of the service transfer, submit to the authority having jurisdiction a completed and fully executed Form DFS-K3-2016, Report of Change of Alarm System Service Provider, effective 09/21, which is incorporated by reference herein. A copy of this form may be obtained by writing to the Bureau of Fire Prevention, Division of State Fire Marshal, Department of Financial Services, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0345, or by downloading the document from the Bureau’s website.
Verbal notification can be made to the assigned inspector. Find your inspector and contact information here or to the Fire Marshal at (863)834-8261. Written notification for locations within the City limits of Lakeland shall be e-mailed to Prevention@lakelandgov.net.
To verify if the location is in the city limits of Lakeland, please click here.
New Permit Type
A new permit type will be effective July 1, 2022. More information on the Fire Alarm Alteration Less Than 21 Devices permit is available here.
Effective June 16, 2023, the revised House Bill 327 will bring a more straightforward permitting process for Fire Sprinkler System Projects that involve alterations of 20 or fewer fire sprinkler systems. View details here.
Two-way Radio Enhancement Systems
It is crucial that first responders have clear, effective, two-way communication in commercial buildings. Unfortunately, the construction materials used in some buildings block and absorb radio frequency signals, presenting complex challenges to the ever-increasing demand for coverage.
The Florida Fire Prevention Code requires “in all new and existing buildings, minimum radio signal strength for fire department communications shall be maintained at a level determined by the AHJ.” (1:11.10.1)
The City of Lakeland has established -110 dBm with a DAQ of 3.4 as the minimum radio signal strength for fire department communications. Please click here for Lakeland’s specific information, including frequencies used.
Please note: The City of Lakeland utilizes in-vehicle repeaters. Fire Department personnel will perform initial radio testing and will advise when a third party is needed to conduct a radio signal survey. A third-party survey will only be required when the in-vehicle repeaters do not provide sufficient coverage. Two-way radio communication enhancement systems will only be required in facilities where the in-vehicle repeaters do not provide sufficient coverage. Permits are required for installation.
Effective December 31, 2020, all Two-Way Radio Enhancement System projects shall comply with current adopted codes and standards:
NFPA 1.11.10; NFPA 1.11.10.2
Florida Administration Code: 61G15-33.005 Design of Communication Systems
69A-60.005 Florida Fire Prevention Code (FFPC) Seventh Edition, 2018
NFPA 1221, 2016 Edition, Standard for the installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communication Systems
NFPA 72, 2016 Edition, National Fire Alarm Code, Chapter 24
Florida Building Code (FBC) 2020 Seventh Edition
NFPA 70, 2017 Edition, National Electrical Code
NFPA 780, 2017 Edition, Installation of lightning protection
NFPA 5000, 2018 Edition, Building Construction and Safety Code
Please address the Two-Way Radio Communication Enhancement Systems requirements from FFPC 1:11.10 by stating on the Life Safety Page of your documents the following:
“A test will be conducted at the end of construction by the AHJ to determine the radio signal strength for fire department communications. If the radio test is found to be deficient, an additional test shall be performed by a licensed contractor to determine signal strength. Documentation from the test will be provided to the AHJ and if system enhancements are required to meet the minimum radio signal strength, it is understood that a system is to be installed immediately in accordance with Chapter 24 of NFPA 72 and NFPA 1221 and will require separate permitting.”
Electronic Permitting Frequently Asked Questions
The Lakeland Fire Department began requiring electronic plan submittals March 15, 2017. A list of the most commonly asked questions concerning the permitting process was compiled, and answers provided in a single document that can be downloaded and/or printed. To access our FAQ, click here.
If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Prevention Division at Prevention@lakelandgov.net or (863)834-8201.
Design Professionals Information
To assist design professionals, basic Florida Fire Prevention Code information to consider before the submittal of plans for review is listed here. Items specific to Lakeland are in the document in bold, red print.
Private Fire Hydrants
The Florida Fire Prevention code states that “where required by the AHJ, fire hydrants shall be color coded or otherwise marked with an approved system indicating the available flow capacity. (1:18.5.10.3) The Lakeland Fire Department requires the body of all private fire hydrants to be painted red with the bonnet painted the color that corresponds to the size of the service main that feeds the hydrant. (4” Red, 6” Yellow, 8” White, 10” or greater Blue) The City of Lakeland Water Department maintains City owned hydrants. The body of City hydrants is yellow, with the bonnets following the same color coding according to the size of the service main that feeds the hydrant that is required for private hydrants.
Inspection, testing, and maintenance of private fire hydrants is the responsibility of the property owner and shall be done in accordance with the currently adopted edition of NFPA 25.
