Fire Code & Fire Safety Documents
The Seattle Fire Code is developed in cooperation with the Fire Code Advisory Board (FCAB), a volunteer advisory board that represents the interests of the public, organized labor and local business, industry and technical trades. We develop new editions of the Seattle Fire Code every three years.
2021 Seattle Code Adoption
The Seattle Fire Code is being updated to the 2021 code edition. The target effective date for the new code in Seattle and Washington State is delayed to no sooner than March 2024. This date is aligned with the effective date for all the Seattle construction codes. The City of Seattle started accepting applications using the 2021 Washington Codes on July 1, if they are accompanied by a code modification request. If the request relates to a Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections permit, use the SDCI Code Modification form and submit the request to SDCI. If the request is specific to a Seattle Fire Code approval, use the SFD Code Alternate form. If any part of a project is approved under the 2021 codes, all of the project must use the 2021 codes.
The 2018 and 2021 Seattle Fire Codes have pre-implemented language from 2023 NFPA 855 and 2024 International Fire Code related to energy storage systems, lithium-ion batteries, and micro-mobility devices and industrial trucks. These changes are consistent with action taken by the Washington State Building Code Council for the 2021 Fire Code in Washington. Please see our information sheet.
2018 Seattle Fire Code
The 2018 Seattle Fire Code was adopted by City Council in early 2021 and took effect on March 22, 2021.
Code Modification or Alternate
Code modifications and alternates are intended to provide flexibility for the fire code official to grant modifications for individual cases where the strict letter of the Seattle Fire Code is impractical and the modification does not lessen health, life and fire safety requirements. To obtain approval for a modification, the contractor, design professional, owner or permit applicant may submit a Code Modification or Alternate Request Form and any supporting data or documentation to the Seattle Fire Marshal’s Office. For further details, see Client Assistance Memo #1040.
Free review of the 2018 Seattle Fire Code is available online from here.
Seattle Building Codes are available on the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) code pages.
The Seattle Fire Code provides authority for the Fire Code Official to adopt policies, procedures, rules and regulations to clarify the application of the fire code.
Administrative Rules are reviewed and approved by FCAB prior to public notice in the Daily Journal of Commerce and are then filed with the Seattle City Clerk.
| Administrative Rule 1.01.17 - Fee Waiver Policies for Compliance Re-Inspection Fees Charged by the Fire Marshal's Office |
| Administrative Rule 9.01.20 - Certificates of Competency for Installing, Inspecting, Testing and Maintaining Fire Protection Systems |
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Administrative Rule 9.02.21 - Inspection, Testing, Maintenance and Reporting Requirements for Fire Protection Systems and Emergency Responder Radio Amplification Systems |
| Administrative Rule 9.03.20 - Automatic Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems |
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Administrative Rule 9.04.21 - Impaired Fire Protection Systems and Emergency Responder Radio Amplification Systems |
| Administrative Rule 9.05.18 - Alarm Signal Verification |
| Administrative Rule 9.06.14 - Sprinkler Systems and Fire Alarms for Elevator Machinery Rooms, Hoist Ways and Pits |
| Administrative Rule 9.07.17 - Partial / Phased Occupancy, Occupancy During Construction and Temporary Certificates of Occupancy |
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Administrative Rule 9.09.18 - Visible Alarm Notification Devices |
| Administrative Rule 11.01.18 - Fire Escape Stair Structural Examination, Testing and Repair Requirements |
| Administrative Rule 12.01.22 - Energy Storage Systems |
| Administrative Rule 26.01.14 - Cutting, Welding and Other Hot Work on Marine Vessels |
| Administrative Rule 26.02.14 - Designated Marine Hot Work Facilities and Shipyards |
| Administrative Rule 27.01.14 - Marine Terminals |
| Administrative Rule 27.02.04 - Storage and Use of Hazardous Materials, Including Flammable and Combustible Liquids, in Freight Containers Outside of Buildings |
| Administrative Rule 34.02.07 - Decommissioning Residential Heating Oil Tanks |
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Administrative Rule 53.01.15 - Marijuana Growing and Oil Extraction Processes |
CAMs help explain the requirements of the Seattle Fire Code.
CAM 1040 Requesting a Code Modification or Alternate
CAM 1200 Lithium Ion battery safety for personal mobility devices and other personal devices
繁體中文 建築安全和消防執行法規 | 简体中文 执行建筑安全与消防法规 | Español | Af-Soomaali | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ | Tagalog
CAM 5001 Obtaining a Permit
繁體中文 建築安全和消防執行法規 | 简体中文 执行建筑安全与消防法规 | Español | 한국어 | Af-Soomaali | Tagalog | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ
CAM 5002 Electronic File Standards: Shop Drawings for Fire Protection Systems
CAM 5022 Recreational and Cooking Fire Regulations
繁體中文 建築安全和消防執行法規 | Español | 한국어 | Af-Soomaali | Tagalog | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ
CAM 5032 Fire Inspections for Nightlife and Entertainment Venues
繁體中文 建築安全和消防執行法規 | 简体中文 执行建筑安全与消防法规 | Español | 한국어 | Af-Soomaali | Tagalog | Tiếng Việt
CAM 5033 Ceremonial Fireworks
繁體中文 建築安全和消防執行法規 | Khmer | 한국어 | ລາວ | ไทย | Tiếng Việt
CAM 5034 Public Safety Plans and Crowd Managers
CAM 5042 Fire Code Regulations for Holiday Decorations
CAM 5051 Fire Safety and Evacuation Plans
CAM 5052 Fire Emergency Guide
繁體中文 建築安全和消防執行法規 | Español | 한국어 | Af-Soomaali | Tagalog | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ
CAM 5072 Fire Emergency Plans for Marinas, Piers, Wharves and Floats
CAM 5120 Liquid Oxygen in Home Healthcare
CAM 5121 Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements in Existing Residential Occupancies
CAM 5122 Wired Emergency Communication Systems
CAM 5123 Emergency Responder/Public Safety Radio Enhancement Systems
Radio Coverage Assessment Form
CAM 5124 Solar Photovoltaic Power Systems
CAM 5961 Fire Extinguishers
繁體中文 建築安全和消防執行法規 | 简体中文 执行建筑安全与消防法规 | Español | 한국어 | Af-Soomaali | Tagalog | Tiếng Việt
CAM 5962 Decommissioning of Residential Heating Oil Tanks
繁體中文 建築安全和消防執行法規 | Español | 한국어 | Af-Soomaali | Tagalog | Tiếng Việt | አማርኛ
CAM 5963 High Rise Emergency Evacuation Drills
CAM 5965 Key Boxes for Emergency Access
CAM 5966 The Engineering Inspection Process
繁體中文 建築安全和消防執行法規 | 简体中文 执行建筑安全与消防法规 | Español | 한국어 | Af-Soomaali | Tagalog | Tiếng Việt | 한국어
CAM 5969 Building Safety and Inspections
繁體中文 建築安全和消防執行法規 | 简体中文 执行建筑安全与消防法规 | Español | Af-Soomaali | Tiếng Việt
CAM 5970 Preventable or "False" Alarms
繁體中文 建築安全和消防執行法規 | 简体中文 执行建筑安全与消防法规 | Español | 한국어 | Af-Soomaali | Tagalog | Tiếng Việt | 한국어
CAM 5971 Testing of Fire Protection Systems and Emergency Responder Radio Amplification Systems
繁體中文 建築安全和消防執行法規 | 简体中文 执行建筑安全与消防法规 | Español | Af-Soomaali | ไทย | Tiếng Việt
Seattle Fire Report of Impaired System Form
繁體中文 建築安全和消防執行法規 | 简体中文 执行建筑安全与消防法规 | Español | Af-Soomaali | Tiếng Việt
CAM 5972 Requesting a Review by the Seattle Fire Code Appeals Board
繁體中文 建築安全和消防執行法規 | Español | 한국어 | Af-Soomaali | Tagalog | Tiếng Việt
CAM 5973 Fire Escape Confidence Testing
CAM 5974 Emergency Lighting: Testing and Inspection
CAM 5981 High-Rise Building Inspection Program
CAM 5982 High Rise Fire Emergency Planning Requirements
CAM 5983 High-Piled Combustible Storage
CAM 5987 Smoke Detector Installation
CAM 5991 Fire Watch
NFPA Amendments
The 2018 Seattle Fire Code has two new chapters 40 and 41. Chapter 40, Fixed Guideway Transit and Passenger Rail Systems, includes the reference to the 2017 edition of the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Standard 130, which was adopted by Washington state. The City of Seattle has adopted local amendments to that standard, and those are shown in Chapter 40 of the 2018 Seattle Fire Code. Chapter 41, Road Tunnels, Bridges and Other Limited Access Highways, includes the reference to the 2017 edition of NFPA Standard 502 with City of Seattle adopted local amendments.