Fire Prevention/ Compliance
Attention Builders/ Developers!
Commercial Development
Black Forest Fire Rescue has established a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Fire Marshal’s Office of the Colorado Springs Fire Department to conduct commercial plan reviews and inspections, including fire sprinkler systems on all new commercial development. For all commercial building projects, the Colorado Springs Fire Marshal’s Office can be contacted using the following information:
- Colorado Springs Fire Construction Services– (719) 385-5982 option 2
Residential Construction/Remodeling
For any inspections, plan reviews, or permits regarding residential construction, contact Pikes Peak Regional Building.
- Pikes Peak Regional Building Department– (719) 327-2880
- Main Office: 2880 International Circle, Colorado Springs, CO, 80910
- North Office: 3939 Cordera Crest Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO, 80924
Land Use/Development
Applicants shall demonstrate full compliance and conformance with El Paso County’s adopted Land Development Code (LDC), Engineering Criteria Manual (ECM), adopted International Fire Code (IFC), and all other adopted codes, provisions, or statutes that impact fire safety to include access/egress, water supply, hardening of structures, addressing, fire protection systems, etc. The applicant shall submit a comprehensive fire protection report from a qualified fire protection engineer that is licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) by the Colorado State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers to demonstrate conformance to all requirements. Furthermore, the District does not support any waivers or variances that negatively impact any fire safety provisions including access/egress, water supply, hardening of structures, addressing, fire protections systems, etc.
Below is a helpful link of Fire Protection Engineers in the region.
Click Here for the link to the Society of Fire Protection Engineers website
(Please note that to be considered as a licensed Professional Engineer, the engineer must have “PE” in their title, which is a requirement we have.)
- El Paso County Planning and Development Department– (719) 520-6300
- 2880 International Circle, Suite 110, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Applicants shall demonstrate full compliance and conformance with El Paso County’s adopted Land Development Code (LDC), Engineering Criteria Manual (ECM), adopted International Fire Code (IFC), and all other adopted codes, provisions, or statutes that impact fire safety to include access/egress, water supply, hardening of structures, addressing, fire protection systems, etc. The applicant shall submit a comprehensive fire protection report from a qualified fire protection engineer that is licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) by the Colorado State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers to demonstrate conformance to all requirements. Furthermore, the District does not support any waivers or variances that negatively impact any fire safety provisions including access/egress, water supply, hardening of structures, addressing, fire protections systems, etc.”
Black Forest Fire Rescue has developed this guide to help you with planning your development project. It provides you with the requirements that must be met for your project to comply with the BFFRPD standards. This guide includes essential information about water and cisterns that must be incorporated into your plan to ensure the safety of your property and the surrounding community.
Cistern and Dry-Hydrant Specifications .pdf
Please Note:
Black Forest Fire Rescue does not provide advice or assistance regarding the actual construction of cisterns. Our role is primarily focused on ensuring that developers are aware of the correct pipe connection specifications.
Typically, developers choose to purchase pre-made cisterns and engage excavators to dig the hole. Licensed plumbers are then responsible for installing the necessary piping. Once these steps are completed, the hole is backfilled before our team arrives to conduct an operational check.
It is essential to understand that cisterns are owned and maintained by the property owner(s) themselves. As a helpful tip, we advise property owners to ensure that their cistern systems are designed to retain water indefinitely and maintain a vacuum seal over time. This is crucial for the effective operation of the cistern and its readiness for any potential firefighting needs.
Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District works directly with Colorado Springs Fire Department for all commercial building plans review and inspections. Visit Colorado Springs Fire Department Website for more information
This will give initial guidance for what will be required.
Black Forest will also follow NFPA 1142 (2015) Water supply for Rural Firefighting which will give guidance if building in an area with no distributed water supply.
