HomeMy WebLinkAboutIndustry Bulletin 2025-010 COF ACA Permit Inspection Scheduling Guide V1.6
BILLY P. ALCORN
FIRE CHIEF
Justin H. Beal, Acting Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention and Investigations Division
(559) 621-4181 FAX (559) 457-1279
Fresno Fire Department 911 H Street Fresno, CA 93721-3082
“To protect and put service above all else.”
FIRE INDUSTRY BULLETIN 2025-010
SCOPE
New, applicant-directed, step-by-step, permit inspection appointment scheduling
procedures guide utilizing the City of Fresno’s (COF) - Accela Citizens Access (ACA)
online portal.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this industry bulletin is to provide our industry partners with a helpful step-
by-step guide related to the new, self-directed, permit inspection appointment scheduling
feature in the COF ACA online portal.
BACKGROUND
In alignment with the Department’s ongoing efforts to streamline and modernize services,
the Fresno Fire Department (FFD) is implementing a new applicant-directed process for
scheduling new permit inspection appointments.
INFORMATION
As noted in the California Fire Code (CFC), the fire code official has the authority to
formulate policies they deem necessary based upon local conditions related to permit
requirements.
The Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) is committed to providing high quality
and timely services to our customers. As part of our ongoing efforts to streamline and
modernize our permit inspection appointment scheduling services, FFD will begin using
the COF ACA online portal in January 2026.
This update is part of FFD’s ongoing commitment to improving efficiency and accessibility
for our industry partners.
This guide has been designed to provide permit applicants with the information needed
to schedule, cancel, and/or reschedule a permit inspection utilizing the COF ACA online
portal, as this will be the only way to schedule a permit inspection after January 4, 2026.
Please note that permit inspection appointment scheduling can only be completed after
a permit has been issued by FFD.
Procedures:
1. Scheduling a Permit Inspection
Step 1: After logging into the COF ACA portal, select the “Fire” tab in the header, followed
by “Schedule an Inspection” in the subheader as shown below.
Step 2: The permit(s) that an applicant is authorized to schedule will appear below the
subheader. Select the COF ACA record (permit) number for the permit that you would
like to schedule a permit inspection for by clicking in the box - as shown below.
Step 3: On the record screen, under the
“Inspections” header, select “Schedule or
Request an Inspection.”
Step 4: The user will be prompted to select the appropriate permit inspection type from a
menu. Select continue.
Please note that you will be offered
permit inspection types which may not
be necessary for your permit type. Do
not schedule these inspections. If you
are uncertain which permit inspection
to schedule, refer to the code next to
the inspection sign-off on your permit
inspection card (i.e., F012 F Final for a
commercial fire sprinkler permit final).
If the incorrect inspection is
scheduled for the permit type, the
inspection will be canceled by FFD
personnel, and you will lose the
inspection slot. Cancelation fees
may apply.
• Attention NFPA 13 System Applicants: The following inspection types have
been added to allow for accurate permit inspection appointment requests:
o F006C F TEMPORARY STANDPIPE
o F015 F STANDPIPE
• Attention NFPA 13D System Applicants: The following permit types have been
added to address differences in average permit inspection time between NFPA 13
and NFPA 13D system types:
o F004R F UNDERGROUND FLUSH (RESIDENTIAL)
o F006R F HANGERS (RESIDENTIAL)
o F012R F FINAL (RESIDENTIAL)
o F0013R OVERHEAD PRESSESURE TEST (RESIDENTIAL)
• Attention Five Year Test Permit Applicants: Each obstruction and backflush
must be scheduled separately to properly account for needed inspection time (i.e.,
if there are three risers, you must schedule three obstruction inspections). If not
scheduled separately, FFD Fire Prevention Inspectors (FPI) will only be allotted
enough time to perform what was scheduled (i.e., one obstruction and one
backflush) and will end the inspection to allow enough time to complete other
scheduled inspections.
In addition to this, a new inspection type has been added to clearly denote when
all obstructions, flushes, or secondary testing is completed on a Five Year Test
permit. The inspection below should be scheduled on the day that all testing is
expected to be completed and witnessed.
o 5Y06 FIVE YEAR FINAL
Step 5: Applicant’s will then be prompted to select a date, and then an appointment block
(AM – PM).
Note: The City’s system will only show applicants dates that have appointment blocks
large enough to accommodate the requested inspection type.
Please note that all inspection
types now have predetermined
lengths of time associated with
them. These lengths of time cannot
be changed. For more information
about assigned inspections times,
see Appendix A. Requesting
additional inspection time will be
covered below.
Step 6: After selecting the date and
time block, select “Continue.”
Applicants will be asked to confirm
the contact information. When
done, select “Continue.” Finally,
applicants will be shown a
summary of the schedule permit
inspection details.
If the details are correct, select “Finish.”
2. Canceling a Previously Scheduled Permit Inspection
The deadline to cancel a previously scheduled inspection is 1:30 PM the day prior to the
inspection through the COF ACA system. If an applicant wishes to cancel a scheduled
permit inspection after 1:30 PM the day prior, please contact support staff at Fire-
Construction@Fresno.gov. Please note that a cancelation fee will apply to any
appointment canceled after the 1:30 PM deadline.
Step 1: Proceed through Step 1 and 2 of
Scheduling a Permit Inspection to select the
COF ACA record for the permit inspection you
wish to cancel.
Step 2: On the “Record Info” tab, select
“Inspections.”
Step 3: Next to the inspection you want to cancel, select the “Actions” tab, and then select
“Cancel.” You will then be prompted to confirm.
3. Rescheduling a Previously Scheduled Permit Inspection
The deadline to reschedule a previously scheduled inspection is 1:30 PM the day prior
to the inspection through COF ACA. If an applicant wishes to reschedule a scheduled
permit inspection after 1:30 PM the day prior, please contact support staff at Fire-
Construction@Fresno.gov. Please note that a cancelation fee will apply to any
appointment rescheduled after the 1:30 PM deadline.
Step 1: Proceed through Step 1 and 2 of
Scheduling a Permit Inspection to select the COF
ACA record for the inspection you want to cancel.
Step 2: On the “Record Info” tab, select
“Inspections.”
Step 3: Next to the inspection you want to cancel, select the “Actions” tab, and then select
“Reschedule.”
Step 4: Continue at Step 5 of Scheduling a Permit Inspection.
4. Requesting Additional Permit Inspection Time
All permit inspection types have predetermined lengths of time associated with them that
cannot be changed. For more information about assigned times, see Appendix A.
If an applicant feels that the allotted time in Appendix A is insufficient to complete the
permit inspection they are trying to schedule, first schedule the permit inspection, and
then contact support staff at Fire-Construction@Fresno.gov.
Please note that FFD personnel will not consider adding additional time to a permit
inspection prior to initial scheduling of the permit inspection. Additionally, FFD personnel
are unable to grant requests for additional permit inspection time where the request would
exceed the maximum time allotment for an appointment block.
NOTE
This bulletin is effective December 10, 2025, and remains in effect until revoked.
Appendix A: Permit inspection types and time equivalencies
Permit Type Permit Inspection Type Old
Unit
New
Units
Time
(Mins.)
Spkr (Comm) F001 F FIRE PUMP 4 24 120
Spkr (Comm) F002 F HYDRANTS 1 6 30
Spkr (Comm) F003 F UNDERGROUND PRESSURE TEST 1 6 30
Spkr (Comm) F004 F UNDERGROUND FLUSH SPRINKLER 1 6 30
Spkr (Res) F004R F UNDERGROUND FLUSH (RESIDENTIAL) 1 1 5
Spkr (Res) F004W F WHOLE HOUSE FLUSH 3 18 90
Spkr (Comm) F005 F UNDERGROUND FLUSH HYDRANT 1 6 30
Spkr (Comm) F006 F HANGERS AND EARTHQUAKE BRACE 2 6 30
Spkr (Res) F006R F HANGERS (RESIDENTIAL) 1 (2) 2 10
Spkr (Comm) F006C F TEMPORARY STANDPIPE N/A 48 240
Spkr (Comm) F007 F PRE-PIPE 1 6 30
Spkr (Comm) F008 F WATER FLOW MONITORING 2 3 15
Spkr (Comm) F009 F TAMPER MONITORING 2 3 15
Spkr (Comm) F010 F SAFE TO STOCK 1 6 30
Spkr (Comm) F011 F SAFE TO OCCUPY 1 6 30
Spkr (Comm) F012 F FINAL 1 6 30
Spkr (Res) F012R F FINAL (RESIDENTIAL) 1 2 10
Spkr (Comm) F013 F OVERHEAD PRESSURE TEST 2 6 30
Spkr (Res)
F013R F OVERHEAD PRESSURE TEST
(RESIDENTIAL) 1 (2) 1 5
Spkr (Comm) F015 F STANDPIPE N/A 48 240
Fire Alarm FA01 FA SYSTEM CONFIGURATION N/A 6 30
Fire Alarm FA02 FA ALL DEVICES TEST SATISFAC N/A 12 60
Fire Alarm FA03 FA SUPERVISORY FUNCTION N/A 12 60
Fire Alarm FA04 FA SYSTEM TEST PRIM/SEC POWER N/A 3 15
Fire Alarm FA05 FA SYSTEM WARNING DEVICES N/A 6 30
Fire Alarm FA06 FA CONTROL/ANNUNCIATOR PANEL N/A 3 15
Fire Alarm FA07 FA CENTRAL STATION N/A 12 60
Fire Alarm FA08 FA FINAL 12 12 60
Hood/Vent FH01 FH SYSTEM CONFIGUATION N/A 1 5
Hood/Vent FH02 FH MANUAL ACTUATOR N/A 1 5
Hood/Vent FH03 FH ELECTRICITY SHUT OFF N/A 1 5
Hood/Vent FH04 FH GAS SHUT OFF N/A 1 5
Hood/Vent FH05 FH BALLOONS INFLATED N/A 1 5
Hood/Vent FH06 FH FUSE LINK N/A 1 5
Hood/Vent FH07 FH CLASS K EXT. /SIGNAGE N/A 1 5
Hood/Vent FH08 FH FINAL N/A 1 5
Tract FIRE FIRE COMBUSTIBLE CLEARANCE 1 6 30
Above Ground Tanks FT01 FT TANKS/VAULTS N/A 2 10
Above Ground Tanks FT02 FT CLEARANCES/ALTERNATE PROT N/A 2 10
Above Ground Tanks FT03 FT VENT PIPES N/A 2 10
Above Ground Tanks FT04 FT VALVES/DISPENSER/PIPING N/A 1 5
Above Ground Tanks FT05 FT SECONDARY CONTAIN/FIRE EXT N/A 1 5
Above Ground Tanks FT06 FT PROTECTION PUMPS/VENT PIPES N/A 1 5
Above Ground Tanks FT07 FT FINAL 2 3 15
Photoluminescent PM08 PM FINAL 1 6 30
Five Year Test 5Y01 BACKFLUSH 1 3 15
Five Year Test 5Y02 OBSTRUCTION INSPECTION 1 3 15
Five Year Test 5Y03 FIRE PUMP 1 6 30
Five Year Test 5Y04 STANDPIPE 4 24 120
Five Year Test 5Y05 DRYPIPE VALVE TRIP TEST 1 6 30
Five Year Test 5Y06 FIVE YEAR FINAL N/A 1 5