I can agree with Bob's perspective, but working for an AHJ of a 175 year old city, when a capped pipe of sprinkler system that lead to a WMG is found, it can often lead to a rabbit hole of research on why it was capped. Happened to me far more than once. You don't know who will find the issue or on what path it will lead. But often I have found the overall cost the owner to be more in the end than that upfront cost when the equipment was not completely removed. I will add that I would not consider such work to be need of such a "major" permit.
Shawn Shepherd, PE Fire Protection Engineer Seattle Fire Department ________________________________ From: [email protected] <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, February 5, 2026 11:09 AM To: 'Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers' <[email protected]> Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Re: Removing Mechanical water motor bell CAUTION: External Email Don’t remove the pipe, just the bell. Cap the pipe and leave it in place. Just a thought. [https://www.dropbox.com/s/g4h8r7hdtsr6154/AFSA_L.png?raw=1] Bob Caputo, CFPS President American Fire Sprinkler Association 1410 E Renner Rd., Suite 150 Richardson, TX 75082 c: 760-908-7753 p: 214-349-5965 ext124 w: firesprinkler.org<https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=31323334-50bba2bf-31321b84-4544474f5631-007f0811dc0b3c39&q=1&e=482605c8-a915-4e8f-9c95-b52d83d49c72&u=http%3A%2F%2Ffiresprinkler.org%2F> New Year, New Training! Learn design, hydraulic calculations, and ITM with AFSA’s best-in-class training! Click here<https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=31323334-50bba2bf-31321b84-4544474f5631-7be89be2169abb42&q=1&e=482605c8-a915-4e8f-9c95-b52d83d49c72&u=https%3A%2F%2Ffiresprinkler.org%2Feducation-training%2F> to learn more and register now for Beginning Design School, Sprinkler Hydraulics Calculations Course, NFPA 25 Essentials Workshop, and Advanced Hydraulics Calculations Course. From: Brandon Bridgford <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, February 5, 2026 12:19 PM To: Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers <[email protected]> Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Removing Mechanical water motor bell Good Afternoon, I am trying to remove a mechanical fire sprinkler alarm bell that frequently plugs up. The facility already has an external horn/strobe in the same location. The city is requiring a major building permit because it includes the removal of pipe. Does this sound right? Any thoughts or suggestions? Brandon Bridgford
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