Just to play Devil's Advocate..

You are attempting to remove a REQUIRED part of a system. You are not replacing 
one for one. It is not maintenance. (Cleaning and preventing the obstructions 
would be)

So technically, a permit could be required.

Now, do I agree? Nope. I think this is a graduate of the 3 day, I got my 
certificate, program.

A little communication will go a long way here.

R/
Matt


Matthew J. Willis

Ferguson Fire Design, LLC

D: (602) 337-0721<tel:6023370721> C: (307) 236-8249<tel:3072368249>

[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>



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________________________________
From: daren welborn <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, February 5, 2026 2:21 PM
To: [email protected] 
<[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected] 
<[email protected]>
Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Re: Removing Mechanical water motor bell

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Nope, not at all. The electric bell should be fine based on my experience.

Sincerely,

Daren Welborn

On Feb 5, 2026, at 1:41 PM, Welsh, Steve <[email protected]> wrote:



Some thoughts:



  *   This might be worst permit request that I ever seen.
  *   Request fire alarm maintenance records to ensure this horn/strobe works.
  *   Say its maintenance, which does not require a permit.
  *   Look up “Work exempt from permit” in the building code. See if anything 
applies. Look for “Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or 
make it unsafe” or “The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in 
pipes.”



Steve Welsh, PE  \  Burns & McDonnell

Senior Fire Protection Engineer

M 410-978-3836



From: Brandon Bridgford <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, February 5, 2026 1:19 PM
To: Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers 
<[email protected]>
Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Removing Mechanical water motor bell



Good Afternoon,



I am trying to remove a mechanical fire sprinkler alarm bell that frequently 
plugs up. The facility already has an external horn/strobe in the same 
location. The city is requiring a major building permit because it includes the 
removal of pipe. Does this sound right? Any thoughts or suggestions?





Brandon Bridgford

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