What Burbank requires before you build
In Burbank, every new building gets sprinklers. That comes from the city's local amendment to California Fire Code Section 903.2, which requires automatic sprinklers in all newly constructed occupancies. Additions can trigger it too. When an addition takes a building over 5,000 square feet, the building has to be sprinklered, so an expansion that looks small on paper can turn into a full sprinkler project once the new total is counted.
System size matters as well. Any system with 20 or more sprinklers needs electronic monitoring of its valves and water-flow switches, which means the monitoring has to be designed in along with the pipe; our Burbank fire alarm page covers that side of the job.
These rules are part of Burbank's adoption of the 2025 California Fire Code, in effect since January 1, 2026. Was your project permitted earlier? Confirm with the Fire Prevention Bureau which edition governs it.
Plan check runs through the Burbank Fire Department
Burbank has its own fire department. Its Fire Prevention Bureau handles plan checks, fire permits and inspections for new construction, tenant improvements and fire sprinkler systems. Drawings go there before pipe goes up. The same office inspects the finished system. Contact details are on the City of Burbank website.
Tenant improvements count. Moving walls, dropping a ceiling or splitting a suite usually means adding or moving sprinkler heads, and that work goes to the bureau for plan check and inspection like any other sprinkler job.
One local rule applies to the installer. A contractor who submits fire system plans to the bureau needs a current Burbank business tax, and firms based outside the city must first pay a Contractor's City Business Tax at the Building Division. Ask about it when you compare bids.
Flow data and fire services from Burbank Water and Power
Sprinkler pipe is sized by hydraulic calculation. The designer needs real flow and pressure numbers from the water supply near your building. In Burbank that data comes from Burbank Water and Power (BWP), the city-owned utility, through a Hydrant Flow Data Request form; outside R-1 and R-2 zones each request costs $125.
Some projects need a new fire service. When the Fire Department requires one, the owner requests an estimate from the BWP Water Division and pays a deposit before the Water Division will approve the plans. Start that early. If new hydrants are part of the requirement, see fire hydrant installation in Burbank.
Who does the work
California work for 1 Pro Fire is performed by Hedrick Fire Protection. Hedrick holds C-16 (fire protection) and C-10 (electrical) contractor licenses. It is also licensed by the California State Fire Marshal under Title 19 to inspect, test and maintain water-based fire protection systems.
After the final inspection
The system then needs ongoing service. NFPA 25 sets quarterly and annual inspections plus a 5-year internal pipe assessment, with gauges replaced or tested, and California's Title 19 adds a 5-year service and certification by a State Fire Marshal licensed contractor. We handle that through Burbank fire sprinkler service. Running a restaurant? See restaurant sprinkler inspections in Burbank.
Working outside the city? We also install in Los Angeles County and Orange County. Every service we provide in the city is listed on our Burbank service area page.
Starting a project?
Call (213) 568-0188 or email socal@1profire.com with the address, the building's square footage and any plan check comments you've received.
Common questions before a Burbank install
Do you work in Burbank?
Yes. Burbank is one of our listed service areas, and the phone and email on this page reach us for work there.
Does a tenant improvement need sprinkler changes?
Often it does. The Fire Prevention Bureau reviews tenant improvement plans and inspects the work, so its plan check comments set the scope.
Who inspects a new sprinkler system in Burbank?
The Burbank Fire Department's Fire Prevention Bureau. It inspects sprinkler systems along with new construction and tenant improvements.
When does Burbank require monitoring?
At 20 sprinklers. Systems with 20 or more sprinklers need electronic monitoring of valves and water-flow switches.