Portland, OR Building Safety: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- 5-story Type V-A apartments
- Test frequency
- Quarterly, by approved persons
- Records
- Written, kept on-site for inspection
- Sprinkler work
- Requires Fire Marshal Certificate of Fitness
Summary
Portland requires owners of five-story Type V-A apartment buildings to keep required fire and life-safety systems operable and quarterly-tested at all times.
The owners of five-story apartment buildings of Type V-A construction approved under Chapter 24.95 of this Code are responsible for ensuring that the fire and life-safety systems required by Portland City Code Title 24 are maintained in an operable condition at all times. Approved persons must conduct quarterly tests of such systems; a written record must be maintained and be available to the inspection authority, unless otherwise required by the Fire Chief.
Full Breakdown
Under Portland City Code § 31.20.100, owners of five-story apartment buildings built under the Type V-A construction pathway in Chapter 24.95 must keep the fire and life-safety systems mandated by Title 24, including automatic sprinklers, in operable condition continuously. Approved persons must run quarterly tests, and a written test record must be kept on hand and produced for the inspection authority on request, unless the Fire Chief sets a different schedule. Separately, anyone installing, altering, testing, servicing, or repairing an automatic sprinkler system anywhere in the city must hold a Fire Marshal-issued Certificate of Fitness under § 31.20.110.
Violations & Fines
Failing to maintain the systems or keep quarterly test records is a Title 31 violation the Fire Marshal can cite; unlicensed sprinkler work performed without a Certificate of Fitness can draw a citation and the Fire Marshal can suspend or revoke the certificate of the firm involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Portland require sprinklers in all apartment buildings?
Who can service a Portland building's sprinkler system?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
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Fire Sprinkler Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Multnomah County handle fire sprinkler requirements.