Residential Fire Sprinkler Installer — Contract (Gaithersburg, MD)
Engagement type: Independent contractor (1099), project-based
Overview
We are hiring a licensed fire sprinkler contractor to design, permit, install, and commission a residential fire sprinkler system in a single-family home in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The system must be designed and installed to NFPA 13D and pass Montgomery County inspection. This is a contract engagement, not an employee position — the contractor supplies their own labor, tools, materials, license, and insurance.
Scope of work
- Site walk-through, water supply evaluation (static/residual pressure and flow test as required), and confirmation of available supply against demand
- Hydraulic calculations and system layout/design stamped or sealed by a qualified individual (NICET II or PE)
- Preparation and submission of the sprinkler permit application to Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS), Division of Fire Prevention and Code Compliance
- Furnish all piping, fittings, hangers, sprinkler heads, valves, gauges, backflow prevention, and alarm/flow devices as required
- Rough-in of piping and heads, coordinated with framing, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing trades
- Trim-out: install heads, escutcheons, cover plates, and control valve assembly in specified finish
- Hydrostatic testing, flushing, and final acceptance testing
- Coordination and attendance at all required county inspections through final approval
- Delivery of as-built drawings, hydraulic calculation sheets, material data sheets, and an owner's manual/maintenance instructions at closeout
- Walkthrough with the homeowner covering shutoff location, testing, and winterization
Required licenses and certifications
Bidders must hold, and provide documentation of:
- Maryland State Fire Marshal fire sprinkler contractor license, Class IIa or Class IId (residential installation to NFPA 13D/13R). Class IId applies where the system uses potable-water multipurpose piping.
- Montgomery County DPS sprinkler license (residential). The county requires at least one designated qualified individual at NICET Level II or a Professional Engineer license for a residential license.
- Maryland master plumber license if the system is a potable-water multipurpose piping system, as required under COMAR.
- General liability insurance — Maryland requires licensed fire sprinkler contractors to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 combined single limit, including products and completed operations. Certificate of insurance naming the homeowner as additional insured is required before work begins.
- Workers' compensation coverage for any employees or helpers brought on site.
- Valid Maryland/MHIC registration if the contractor is also performing associated home improvement work.
Experience and skills
Required
- Minimum 3 years installing residential fire sprinkler systems to NFPA 13D/13R
- Demonstrated experience pulling permits and passing inspection in Montgomery County or an adjacent Maryland jurisdiction
- Proficiency with CPVC and/or steel sprinkler piping, including cutting, grooving, threading, and solvent welding
- Ability to read and produce shop drawings and hydraulic calculations
- Comfortable working in attics, crawlspaces, and confined framing bays; able to lift 50 lbs and work from ladders
- Own transportation, hand and power tools, and pipe-working equipment
Preferred
- NICET Level III or higher
- Prior work on occupied/retrofit homes with attention to minimizing drywall damage and restoring finishes
- Familiarity with concealed head and cover-plate options for finished living spaces
- References from at least two comparable residential installations in the DMV area
Contract terms
- Independent contractor status; contractor is responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and any subcontractors
- Work must comply with the currently adopted Montgomery County building and fire codes and NFPA 13D
- Warranty: minimum 1 year on workmanship, plus manufacturer warranty on materials, passed through to the homeowner
- Daily site cleanup and debris removal required
- Homeowner reserves the right to verify license status with the Office of the State Fire Marshal and Montgomery County DPS prior to award
Compensation
Hourly labor rate: $50–$65 per hour for a licensed contractor's billed rate in the Gaithersburg/Montgomery County market.
Pay: $50.00 - $65.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
