This Denver Fire Department (DFD) guideline, issued by the Fire Prevention Division of the City and County of Denver Department of Safety, sets out the procedure for obtaining replacement occupant load signs under IFC Section 1004.9.1. It applies to owners and operators of assembly rooms and spaces, including bars and taverns, that need a sign reissued. The request is handled as a walk-through permit, so it is one of the Denver permit processes run through the city's online permitting system. On this page you can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it; the guideline itself is published by the City and County of Denver at the official URL.
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What is Denver Fire Department Guideline – IFC Section 1004.9.1: Procedure for Obtaining Replacement Occupant Load Signs – Denver, CO?
The Denver Fire Department Guideline – IFC Section 1004.9.1, Procedure for Obtaining Replacement Occupant Load Signs is the City and County of Denver Fire Prevention Division's instruction sheet explaining how an owner or operator obtains a replacement occupant load sign for a room or space.
The guideline rests on a posting rule: every room or space that is an assembly occupancy must have its occupant load posted in a conspicuous place, near the main exit or exit access doorway, for the intended configurations. Every room or space within a bar, tavern or similar area that is an assembly function with an occupant load of 40 or more must also have the load posted. The sign issued by DFD must be placed in a picture frame of durable materials, permanently posted, available for inspection at any time and kept legible by the Owner or Authorized Agent.
The guideline also explains the process. The occupant load is determined under Denver Fire Code Section 1004 for all occupancy uses, including any story, balcony, tier or accessory area. Owners and operators first look for copies of the original signs at the Records Department of Community Planning and Development (CPD). If CPD has none, the DFD Fire Prevention Engineering Unit calculates occupant loads for existing bars, taverns and similar rooms in existing buildings on request. The request is emailed, reviewed as a "Walk through Permit", paid for online and retrieved from the city's Accela permitting system.
This is a procedure guideline for replacement signs. It does not set out a general building permit application.
Who needs to file Denver Fire Department Guideline – IFC Section 1004.9.1: Procedure for Obtaining Replacement Occupant Load Signs – Denver, CO?
Owners and operators of an assembly-occupancy room or space in Denver who need a replacement occupant load sign follow this procedure. The guideline names the Owner/Operator as the person who starts the process and the Owner or Authorized Agent as the person responsible for keeping the posted sign legible.
- Rooms or spaces that are an assembly occupancy must post their occupant load.
- Rooms or spaces within a bar, tavern or similar area that are an assembly function with an occupant load of 40 or more must post it.
- Existing bars, taverns and similar use rooms in existing buildings can ask DFD to calculate the occupant load if CPD has no copy of the original sign.
DFD reissues the sign only if the building or structure has a valid Certificate of Occupancy for the current use(s). The applicant is the person who emails the request and supplies a name, telephone number and email address. The guideline does not describe signing by a representative beyond referring to the Authorized Agent.
When to file Denver Fire Department Guideline – IFC Section 1004.9.1: Procedure for Obtaining Replacement Occupant Load Signs – Denver, CO
Start when an occupant load sign for an assembly room or space is missing, damaged or illegible and must be replaced, since the posted signs must be maintained in a legible manner and be available for inspection at any time. Before emailing DFD, first visit the CPD Records Department to look for copies of the original signs created when the Certificate of Occupancy was issued. The guideline sets no calendar deadline. Once DFD receives the email request, all submittals are reviewed within forty-eight (48) hours following receipt and processed as a "Walk through Permit". After approval, a system-generated email tells you that payment can be made online, and the sign is generated once payment is complete.
Documents you need
- Complete floor plan, in PDF format, of the story or floor level where the tenant is located, showing firewalls/fire barriers and exits including stairways.
- Detailed plans of the tenant space showing rooms, corridors, hallways, separation walls, doors (including exits), wall types, door hardware type and furniture layout.
- Locations of "Exit Signs", emergency illumination lights and fire extinguishers on the plans.
- Drawings submitted to scale, each containing the name of the owner, the name of the tenant and the complete address of the premises.
- In the email itself: the applicant's name, telephone number and email address.
- Copies of the original occupant load signs from the CPD Records Department, if available; obtain these before asking DFD to calculate the loads.
- Valid Certificate of Occupancy for the current use(s): DFD reissues the sign only if the building or structure has one.
How to fill out Denver Fire Department Guideline – IFC Section 1004.9.1: Procedure for Obtaining Replacement Occupant Load Signs – Denver, CO
Check CPD records for original signs
Visit the Records Department at Community Planning and Development, 201 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO (2nd floor), to ask for copies of the original occupant load signs posted when the Certificate of Occupancy was issued.
Confirm your Certificate of Occupancy
Make sure the building or structure has a valid Certificate of Occupancy for the current use(s), because DFD reissues the sign only in that case.
Prepare a complete scaled floor plan
Draw the whole floor level where the tenant is located, with firewalls/fire barriers and exits including stairways. Submit the drawings to scale.
Add tenant-space details and labels
Show rooms, corridors, hallways, separation walls, doors, wall types, door hardware type, furniture layout, exit signs, emergency lights and extinguishers. Put the owner's name, the tenant's name and the complete address on every drawing.
Write the request email
State the name, telephone number and email address of the applicant and ask for the occupant load sign(s). Attach everything as PDF files.
Email the request to DFD
Send it to [email protected]. Review is completed within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt as a "Walk through Permit".
Pay online after approval
When the system-generated approval email arrives, pay the per-sign plan review fee online; check the Denver Fire Department Fee Schedule for the amount.
Retrieve and post the sign
Download the sign from Accela, or ask the reviewing engineer/technician for an emailed copy. Place it in a durable picture frame near the main exit or exit access doorway and keep it permanently posted.
Review and download the PDF
Fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF if you want a working copy, then download or print it and assemble the email package described under How to submit.
How to submit Denver Fire Department Guideline – IFC Section 1004.9.1: Procedure for Obtaining Replacement Occupant Load Signs – Denver, CO
There are two steps by channel: an in-person records check at CPD, then an emailed request to DFD.
- CPD Records Department (first): Community Planning and Development [Building Department], 201 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO, 2nd floor, to obtain copies of original occupant load signs.
- Email: send the request to [email protected] with the attachments in electronic (*.pdf) format. Include the applicant's name, telephone number and email address, plus the scaled floor plan and drawings described under required documents.
- Payment: after approval, a system-generated email says payment can be made online. A plan review fee, charged per sign under the Denver Fire Department Fee Schedule and non-refundable, applies; check the fee schedule for the amount.
- Retrieval: once you pay, the occupant load sign is available from the city's online permitting system (Accela). You may also contact the reviewing engineer/technician noted in Accela to request an emailed copy.
The Fire Prevention Division's address is P.O. Box 40385, Denver, CO 80204, telephone 720.913.3474. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Emailing DFD before visiting the CPD Records Department at 201 W Colfax Ave (2nd floor) to look for copies of the original occupant load signs.
- Submitting drawings that are not to scale.
- Leaving the owner's name, the tenant's name or the complete premises address off the drawings.
- Omitting exit signs, emergency illumination lights or fire extinguisher locations from the floor plans.
- Sending the request without the applicant's name, telephone number and email address.
- Attaching plans in a format other than PDF when the guideline asks for an electronic submittal in *.pdf format.
- Expecting a refund of the plan review fee; it is non-refundable and charged per sign.
- Posting the issued sign loose or letting it fade, instead of keeping it in a durable picture frame, permanently posted and legible.
- Requesting a replacement sign for a building without a valid Certificate of Occupancy for its current use.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a replacement occupant load sign in Denver?
Email your request to [email protected] with PDF floor plans and your name, phone and email. First check the CPD Records Department for copies of the original signs. DFD reviews within 48 hours, you pay online, and the sign is retrieved from Accela.
Who has to post an occupant load sign in Denver?
Every room or space that is an assembly occupancy must post its occupant load near the main exit or exit access doorway. Rooms within a bar, tavern or similar area that are an assembly function with an occupant load of 40 or more must also post it.
How long does the Denver occupant load sign review take?
The guideline says all submittals are reviewed within forty-eight (48) hours following receipt, processed as a "Walk through Permit". After approval, a system-generated email notifies you that you can pay online, and the sign is generated once payment is completed.
What must my floor plan show for an occupant load sign request?
A complete floor plan of the tenant's story showing firewalls/fire barriers and exits, plus detailed tenant-space plans with rooms, corridors, doors, wall types, door hardware and furniture layout, exit signs, emergency lights and extinguishers. Drawings must be to scale and name the owner, tenant and address.
Is there a fee for a replacement occupant load sign?
Yes. A plan review fee is charged per sign under the Denver Fire Department Fee Schedule, and it is non-refundable. Payment is made online after DFD approves the request; check the fee schedule for the current amount.
Where do I find my occupant load sign after paying?
Once payment is completed, the sign is available for retrieval from the City's online permitting system, Accela. You can also contact the reviewing engineer or technician noted in Accela to request an emailed copy.
Can I fill out this Denver guideline PDF online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the City and County of Denver and does not submit requests or issue signs; you email the request to DFD and pay through the city's system.
Does DFD reissue a sign for any building?
Only if the building or structure has a valid Certificate of Occupancy for the current use(s). If CPD has no copy of the original sign, the DFD Fire Prevention Engineering Unit calculates loads for existing bars, taverns and similar rooms on request.
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