FACT SHEET

The PE’s Role in Fire Protection System Design

Recent changes to the Professional Engineering Practice Act (225 ILCS 325/) impact the type of work that fire sprinkler technicians and contractors may legally perform, and clarify the role of the design professional in fire protection system projects.

• Technical submissions are the “. . . designs, drawings, and specifications which establish the scope and standard of quality for materials, workmanship, equipment, and systems.”  Technical submissions also includes “. . . studies, analyses, calculations, and other technical reports prepared in the course of the practice of professional engineering or under the direct supervision and responsible charge of a licensed engineer.”                                                                                                                    
• Only licensed design professionals may provide technical submissions.

• Fire sprinkler contractors may provide fire protection system layout documents, which differ from technical submissions. 

• Fire protection system layout documents means “layout drawings, catalog information on standard products, and other construction data that provide detail on the location of risers, cross mains, branch lines, sprinklers, piping per applicable standard, and hanger locations.  Fire protection system layout documents serve as a guide for fabrication and installation of a fire sprinkler system.”

• A building permit for a building that requires a fire suppression system may not be issued without a technical submission prepared by a licensed design professional. 

• Fire protection system layout documents do not require an engineering seal if prepared by a technician who holds a valid NICET level 3 or 4 certification in fire protection technology, automatic sprinkler system layout. 

• An authority having jurisdiction may not accept fire protection system layout documents in lieu of technical submissions.  Fire protection system layout documents may be submitted as supporting documents to supplement technical submissions.

• In the event that a fire protection system layout document materially alters a technical submission, the authority having jurisdiction shall return both the fire protection layout documents and technical submissions to the licensed design professional for review.