Construction (GC Partners)
The fire protection sub is either a schedule problem or it isn't — and the difference shows at rough-in inspection and TCO. We attend preconstruction, coordinate before conflicts become field changes, and submit permit packages that pass plan review without back-and-forth.
How we work with construction (gc partners)
Your fire protection sub is either a problem or it isn't, and the difference shows up at rough-in inspection and certificate of occupancy. A sub that shows up late to design coordination meetings, submits incomplete shop drawings, and needs two re-inspections to get a clear card is a schedule problem that costs more than they saved at bid day. We build fire protection around your schedule, not the other way around — we attend preconstruction, review structural and MEP coordination drawings before any conflict becomes a field change, and submit permit packages that pass plan review without back-and-forth.
Design-assist is where we add the most value on complex projects. Texas fire marshals increasingly want narrative statements explaining how the system meets code before they approve drawings, especially on mixed-occupancy, high-rise, and data center projects. We write those narratives, coordinate with the architect of record on occupancy classification, and work with the engineer of record on hydraulic calculations and system design that the plan reviewer can approve on the first submission. That's not standard practice for most fire protection subs — it is for us.
Temporary fire protection during construction is a compliance obligation that many GCs treat as an afterthought. IFC Chapter 14 and NFPA 241 require a documented construction fire safety plan, fire watch where required, and temporary alarm systems for occupied construction phases. We provide WES (Wireless Evacuation System) temporary fire alarm coverage for buildings under construction, which eliminates the wiring cost of a temporary hardwired system and can be deployed and relocated as the construction phase progresses. We also provide licensed fire watch personnel when the AHJ requires it during system impairment windows.
Typical systems in your buildings
- Design-assist and plan-review coordination — occupancy classification narrative, hydraulic calculations, shop drawing preparation, plan review response; coordinated with architect and MEP engineer · Service page →
- Fire alarm — permanent system (NFPA 72) — addressable system designed to the adopted edition; permit submittal, rough-in coordination, final device installation, and commissioning · Service page →
- Fire sprinkler — permanent system (NFPA 13/13R) — hydraulic design, underground fire main coordination, riser room design, overhead installation, and testing; coordinated with plumbing and structural · Service page →
- WES wireless temporary fire alarm — NFPA 241 / IFC §1412 compliant temporary alarm coverage during construction; deployed without conduit; relocated as the building progresses; avoids cost of temporary hardwired system · Service page →
- Fire watch services — licensed personnel for AHJ-required fire watch during system impairments, hot-work operations per NFPA 51B, and occupancy phases before permanent systems are commissioned · Service page →
- Fire pump (NFPA 20) — design, installation, and acceptance testing of electric or diesel fire pumps; coordinated with utility service and emergency generator sequencing · Service page →
- TCO inspection prep — pre-TCO walk, open deficiency remediation, AHJ coordination, and attendance at the TCO inspection; Zion's goal is one-pass close-out · Service page →
Code touchpoints
- NFPA 241 — safeguarding construction operations; construction fire safety plan requirements
- IFC Chapter 14 — fire safety during construction and demolition; temporary alarm and suppression requirements
- NFPA 72 (2022 ed.) — fire alarm design and acceptance testing; field verification procedures per §14.6
- NFPA 13 (2022 ed.) — sprinkler system design, installation, and acceptance testing per §26.2
- NFPA 20 (2025 ed.) — fire pump installation and acceptance testing
- NFPA 51B — fire prevention during welding, cutting, and other hot-work operations
- IBC §901.4 / IFC §901.5 — fire protection system installation and acceptance testing requirements
- Texas Administrative Code Title 28, Chapters 34 and 36 — SFMO license requirements; permit applications must include contractor license numbers (ACR #2371654, SCR #2571606)
- Local AHJ permit and inspection requirements — plan review, rough-in inspection, and final inspection procedures vary by jurisdiction
Inspection cadence we run for this vertical
| Activity | Typical interval |
|---|---|
| Predevelopment — occupancy classification and system scope review | At programming phase |
| Design-assist — shop drawing and hydraulic calculation submittal | At design development / permit submittal |
| Permit plan review coordination | During permit review (typically 4–12 weeks) |
| Preconstruction coordination meeting | Before mobilization |
| Rough-in inspection — sprinkler and alarm underground/overhead | Per construction schedule |
| WES temporary alarm deployment | As required by IFC Ch. 14 / project occupancy plan |
| Fire watch — impairment coverage | As required by AHJ during system outages |
| Final commissioning — full system functional test | 2–4 weeks before TCO |
| TCO inspection attendance and close-out | At certificate of occupancy |
What clients in this vertical say
[Testimonial — pending collection (Construction (GC Partners))]
Frequently asked questions
When should we bring Zion into a project?
The earlier the better, but design development is the minimum. At predevelopment or programming, we can review the preliminary occupancy classification and code path, identify fire protection system scope and rough budget, and flag any design decisions that will affect the fire protection system cost — floor-to-floor heights, riser locations, mechanical room sizing for fire pump and riser room, and roof loading for underground supply. Changes caught at programming cost nothing to implement; changes caught at rough-in cost time and money.
What is design-assist and how does it differ from design-build?
Design-assist means Zion participates in the design process with the GC, architect, and MEP engineer to develop the fire protection system design — providing hydraulic calculations, shop drawings, and code-compliance narratives — while the architect of record retains the stamped permit drawings. Design-build means Zion holds full design responsibility and stamps the drawings through our own engineer of record. Most Texas commercial projects use design-assist; design-build is more common on design-build delivery projects where the GC holds the full design contract. Zion can operate in either mode.
What is WES and when is it required?
WES (Wireless Evacuation System) is a self-powered, wireless temporary fire alarm system designed for use during construction per NFPA 241 and IFC §1412. It requires no conduit or hardwiring and can be deployed in hours. Texas AHJs typically require temporary alarm coverage when a building is occupied during construction — partial occupancy of a completed floor while upper floors are still under construction is the most common trigger. WES lets Zion provide compliant temporary coverage without the cost of installing and later demo-ing a temporary hardwired system.
What causes GC projects to fail TCO on fire protection?
The most common causes: (1) incomplete device installation — pull stations or notification appliances missing from final drawings; (2) commissioning failures on sprinkler system trip tests or fire pump flow tests that weren't run before the AHJ inspection; (3) missing monitoring documentation — the AHJ wants a current central-station monitoring certificate before they'll issue the C of O; (4) unresolved plan review comments that were never formally responded to. Zion schedules a pre-TCO walk 3–4 weeks before the planned inspection to find and fix all of these before the fire marshal arrives.
How does Zion coordinate with the fire marshal on new construction permit submittals?
We submit permit packages with a cover narrative explaining how the system design complies with the applicable edition of NFPA and IFC, including the specific code sections that govern the design decisions we made. For complex occupancies — mixed-use, high-rise, data centers — we request a pre-submittal meeting with the plan reviewer to walk through the design approach before the formal submittal. This eliminates most plan review comments on the first submission. Texas plan review timelines vary from 2 weeks to 12 weeks depending on the jurisdiction; we build that window into the project schedule at preconstruction.
Can Zion provide fire watch if we have a system impairment during occupied hours?
Yes. NFPA 25 §15.5 and most Texas AHJs require fire watch when an impaired system covers an occupied building. Zion provides licensed fire watch personnel on a 24-hour dispatch basis: 855.ZIONFIRE. Fire watch personnel are trained to NFPA 601 requirements, carry documentation of the impairment type and estimated restoration time, and will coordinate directly with the local fire department per AHJ requirements. Fire watch is billed separately from the service contract — call us as soon as you know a system will be out of service.