Fire Inspection Program

The Newport Beach Fire Department's Commitment to Fire Prevention:

The Newport Beach Fire Department's inspection program is dedicated to minimizing the risk of life and property loss from fire by identifying and eliminating hazardous conditions in businesses.

The Facts About Fire Risks:

• According to the U.S. Fire Administration, fire departments nationwide responded to a structure fire every 67 seconds in 2023.
• In 2022, there were an estimated 129,500 nonresidential building fires, including approximately 5,900 restaurant fires annually.
• Mechanical failure or malfunction contributes to one in every four structure fires.
• Fires can spread rapidly, doubling in size in as little as 30 seconds.

Proactively identifying and preventing fire hazards, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and addressing fire code violations are essential to reducing the risk of fire incidents, safeguarding lives, and protecting property from preventable damage.

How We Protect Our Community: 

The Newport Beach Fire Department is committed to the five essentials "E's" of fire prevention. Engineering, Enforcing, Educating, Economic Incentives and Emergency Response. Our approach goes beyond simply informing; we prioritize engaging with businesses and residents to explain the importance of fire safety measures, ensuring full understanding and compliance.

• Engineering focuses on designing safer structures and integrating technology to reduce fire risks. This includes using fire-resistant materials, installing fire suppression systems, and ensuring buildings are equipped with clear evacuation routes.
• Enforcing ensures compliance with fire safety codes and regulations through thorough inspections of properties and businesses.
• Educating influences behavior by increasing awareness, and providing information and knowledge with the intention of producing a desired behavior.
• Economic Incentives Providing financial benefits or rebates to encourage individuals and businesses to adopt risk-reducing practices. Programs like grants, tax credits, and community service rewards make fire protection more accessible and affordable, while potential code exceptions recognize proactive efforts.
• Emergency Response safeguards the community by ensuring firefighters and emergency responders have the equipment and training necessary to effectively reduce the impact of incidents.

When used together, these five E's—Engineering, Enforcing, Educating, Economic Incentives & Emergency Response - we take a proactive and well-rounded approach to fire prevention. This strategy significantly reduces the risk of fire-related deaths and injuries, ensuring the safety of everyone in our community

Each year, the fire department performs:

• Approximately 1,300 business inspections.
• 342 vegetation inspections.
• Oversight of roughly 308 acres within 24 HOA communities.

The "Engine Company Fire Inspection Program" focuses on multi-family dwellings, office spaces, and retail establishments. Larger and more complex occupancies, such as schools, high-rise buildings, large multi-family complexes, retail stores, and other target hazards, are inspected by our Fire Prevention Division. This division also oversees testing and acceptance of fire protection systems in new construction projects.

Why Annual Inspections Matter:

Your annual business fire department inspection, required by law, is a cost-effective resource to protect your property and the health and safety of employees, customers, and tenants. By identifying potential hazards and ensuring compliance with fire codes, these inspections reduce the risk of fire-related incidents and costly damage.

Help Us, Help The Community:

At the Newport Beach Fire Department, we are committed to building a culture of fire prevention. Contact us today to learn more about our inspection programs and how they can help safeguard your business or property.

FAQ's