Proposed Phoenix Fire Prevention Fee Schedule Changes May 2021.pdf

City of Phoenix — Formal (2021-06-02)

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Proposed Adjustment to the City of Phoenix Fire Prevention Fee Schedule currently 
adopted by Ordinance Number G-6677 § 1, 2020 
Strikethrough represents proposed code text deletion and underscore represents text addition 
Updated 3/4/2021 
 
Page 1 of 2  
  
 
1.    Fire Prevention 
Fee Schedule 
Battery systems, electrical energy storage systems to include lithium ion battery systems, 
OTC. To install electrical energy storage systems regulated by Section 1206.4 with a capacity 
of more than 3 kWh to 20 27 kWh in an R-3 or R-4 occupancy. 
Permit……………….......................... 2.0 hrs 
Reason: The original intent of this over the counter (OTC) permit was to allow two battery storage units in a 
R-3 occupancy and not require a full plan review. At the time of code adoption, the most predominant battery 
on the market that the Phoenix Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Section permitted was 9.8 kWh per unit. 
Therefore, 20 kWh would allow two battery units. Industry standards have moved to batteries that contain 
13.5 kWh energy storage per unit. This change will allow two units to be permitted by the OTC process. This 
action does not change the Phoenix Fire Code’s requirements or regulations set forth for the installation for 
such batteries. This adoption would result in a reduction of the customers permit fee and reduced permit 
processing time for systems submitted to the Phoenix Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Section between 20-
27 kWh.  
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021. 
 
2.    Fire Prevention 
Fee Schedule 
Solar photovoltaic power systems, OTC. To install or modify install a residential solar 
photovoltaic power system with an alternating current nameplate rating of 3 kW to 12 15 
kW in an R-3 or R-4 occupancy or the installation of a residential solar photovoltaic system 
for a water heater with a system size of 30kWth (462 square feet (49.9 M2 ) of collector) or 
less in an R-3 or R-4 occupancy. Permit .................................................... 2.0 hrs 
Reason: At time of this fee creation and adoption, the average solar system submitted to the Phoenix Fire 
Department’s Fire Prevention Section was under 12 kW. This OTC allowed a faster permitting process for the 
systems and required plan reviews for system larger than 12 kW.  With the growth and adoption of solar we 
now see systems on average up to 15 kW. By changing the OTC threshold to 15 kW from 12 kW, we still meet 
the requirements for the Phoenix Fire Code and assist our community in quicker permit processing times to 
aid our development community and residents. This action does not change the Phoenix Fire Code’s 
requirements or regulations set forth for the installation for such solar systems. This adoption would result in 
a reduction of the customers permit fee and reduced permit processing time for systems submitted to the 
Phoenix Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Section between 12-15 kW. 
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.

Proposed Adjustment to the City of Phoenix Fire Prevention Fee Schedule currently 
adopted by Ordinance Number G-6677 § 1, 2020 
Strikethrough represents proposed code text deletion and underscore represents text addition 
Updated 3/4/2021 
 
Page 2 of 2  
  
3.    Fire Prevention 
Fee Schedule 
Solar photovoltaic power systems. To install or modify install a residential solar photovoltaic 
power system with an alternating current nameplate rating in greater than 12 15 kW. 
 
Residential Plan Review .................................... 2.0 hrs  
Inspection ...................... 1.0 hrs  
 
Commercial Plan Review................................... 2.5 hrs  
Inspection ....................... 1.5 hrs  
 
Reason: At time of this fee creation and adoption, the average solar system submitted to the Phoenix Fire 
Department’s Fire Prevention Section was under 12 kW. With the growth and adoption of solar we now see 
systems on average up to 15 kW. By changing the plan review threshold to 15 kW from 12 kW, we still meet 
the requirements for the Phoenix Fire Code and assist our community in quicker permit processing times to 
aid our development community and residents. This action does not change the Phoenix Fire Code’s 
requirements or regulations set forth for the installation for such solar systems. This adoption would result in 
a reduction of the customers permit fee and reduced permit processing time for systems submitted to the 
Phoenix Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Section between 12-15 kW. 
Action Taken: Presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on 3/11/2021.