How Do I Start an Energy Storage System Questionnaire?

An Energy Storage System Questionnaire is required for any construction, phased construction, or electrical permit that includes work to an Energy Storage System (ESS). The electrical permit authorizes the work to get the buildings’ electrical system wired for the ESS. The construction or phased construction permit is to ensure the building has the necessary built-in structural and life safety components to protect people from the hazards associated with certain ESS.

The questionnaire serves two purposes.

1. Not all ESS installations will require a construction or phased construction permit. We use the questionnaire to assess if the system meets the thresholds in the Seattle Fire Code (SFC) and to notify you of your next steps.
2. We need to track all ESS installations within the city of Seattle to enable first responders to safely respond to ESS emergencies and reduce damages due to ESS failures.

Steps to Start Your Energy Storage System Questionnaire

Tip: For this questionnaire, you will need a lot of specific information about your ESS. Please view the Seattle Fire Department’s energy storage system checklist to learn what you need to know before you get started.

1. Log in to your Seattle Services Portal account.
2. On the My Records page, locate your Construction, Electrical Plan Review, or Phased Construction Permit record in the list.
   
3. In the Action column associated with your permit, click Make Changes.
   
    
4. On the Make Changes page, select Energy Storage System Questionnaire.
5. Click Continue Application.

When you have completed the questionnaire, you will see a message confirming that it was submitted for review. Make note of your Record Number. The new record number has the format of the parent record plus a three-digit suffix. This new record is now displayed on your My Records list. You will be contacted for any additional information and documents that are needed before we approve this record.

An e-mail will be sent to all contacts on the original permit notifying them of next steps after SDCI has reviewed your questionnaire.