The goal of the Fire Prevention Division is to safeguard the community from fire and environmental hazards through programs providing for adherence to fire regulations, public education, and hazard mitigation. To meet this goal, the Division’s responsibilities include:
Fire Safety Inspections:
Over 6500 commercial occupancies are included in the Division’s inspection program; the majority of which are inspected by the Department’s firefighters. Highly technical inspections, such as schools, care facilities, hospitals and similar institutions are inspected by Fire Prevention Specialists from the Fire Prevention Division.
Plan Review:
Prior to issuing any permit for construction, erection, alteration, repair or demolition, the Fire Prevention Division reviews all plans in conjunction with the building department. The review of building plans provides the Fire Department with an opportunity to verify that fire and life safety requirements are being met prior to the completion of the building.
Pre-submittal Review:
As a service to our customers, the Fire Prevention Division provides consultation services to architects, developers, contractors and property owners prior to plan submittal. This review provides an overview of fire and life safety regulations which may affect the proposed building and the surrounding area. Our review includes information such as the building’s size limitations, occupancy classification, determination of required fire flow, designation of fire lanes, fire access, hydrant placement, fire department connection placement, turning radius and so forth.
Fire Investigation:
The Fire Department investigates all fires to determine fire cause. Our fire investigators work in conjunction with the Newport Beach Police Department and assist in criminal investigations by determining the origin and cause of fires. An additional focus is on identifying factors that can be used to lessen the number of fires in the future. Data from fire investigations can help enhance inspection procedures, public education programs and fire suppression activities.
Special Fire Protection Areas:
The Fire Prevention Division provides inspection services to all of the residential properties within the City’s wildland interface areas. All Special Fire Protection Areas are inspected annually by one of the Division’s fire protection specialists to insure compliance. The City of Newport Beach Municipal Code contains several building code requirements that only apply to structures built adjacent to Special Fire Protection Areas.
Hazardous Materials:
The Newport Beach Fire Department is responsible for the collection of hazardous materials disclosure information and business emergency planning. This information is collected annually from all business within the City of Newport Beach that handle or store more than 55 gallons, 200 cubic feet or 500 pounds of hazardous materials. The information is collected and reviewed by the Fire Prevention Division, then disseminated to fire units in the field for use in fighting fires at these businesses. Approximately 200 businesses participate in the program.
- Safety, Service and Professionalism -