Fairfax County follows the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code requiring automatic fire sprinklers in new high-rises, multifamily housing over three stories, and most commercial occupancies, with FCFRD plan review and acceptance testing mandatory.
The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code references NFPA 13, 13R, and 13D sprinkler standards and triggers sprinkler requirements based on occupancy type, height, and area. Fairfax County requires sprinklers in essentially all new commercial construction and in residential buildings over three stories, common in Tysons and Reston. The Fairfax County Fire Marshal's Office reviews sprinkler plans, witnesses acceptance tests, and conducts annual flow tests on existing systems. Single-family homes are not required to be sprinklered statewide, but builders may voluntarily install NFPA 13D systems. System impairment requires FCFRD notification and a fire watch.
Operating without required sprinklers: stop-work orders, civil penalties, denial of certificate of occupancy, and possible criminal charges for willful violations.
See how Vienna's fire sprinkler requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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