Fire Prevention
The Fire Prevention Division works together with businesses and the community to provide the standard of life safety expected by those who visit, work and live in Seattle. Service-oriented, the Fire Prevention Division, provides technical information to the community, developers, architects, contractors and other city departments.
The Fire Prevention Division is also responsible for the implementation, administration and enforcement of the Seattle Fire Code (SFC). The SFC provides fire and life safety standards for buildings, helping to protect people and property from the hazards of fire, explosion or dangerous conditions in new and existing buildings and ensure firefighter and emergency responder safety during emergency operations.
Business Services
The Fire Prevention Division provides the community with the business services they need, ranging from permit applications to technician certification.
Code Compliance
The Seattle Fire Code provides minimum fire and life safety requirements that are enforced through code compliance.
Fire Code & Fire Safety Documents
Customer resources and documents
Fire Investigation Unit
Determines the cause and origin of specific fires, including those that result in death or serious injury and $75,000 dollars or more of estimated loss and all fires that are intentionally set or involve juveniles. Information regarding arson can be reported via the Arson Alarm Hotline, 1-800-55-ARSON.
High Rise Inspection Program
High-rise buildings present a unique risk to public safety because they often contain large concentrations of people above the reach of aerial ladders, the High Rise Inspection Program works to minimize these risks.
Permits
Certain operations and activities, including the storage and/or use of hazardous materials, require a permit when those operations and activities are conducted in the city.
Technician Certification
Technician Certification is required of persons who install, maintain, service and test fire and life safety systems in the city.
New Construction Inspections & Plan Review
New Construction Inspections & Plan Review ensure that buildings under construction and those being remodeled in the city are in accordance with the Seattle Fire Code and will protect occupants in an emergency.
Systems Testing & Reporting
The Seattle Fire Code requires building owners and managers to maintain their building's fire protection systems in good working condition and to ensure that these systems are tested on a regular basis.
Special Events
The department issues temporary permits and establishes conditions to ensure public safety at large public gatherings including fairs, concerts, sporting events and festivals. Special Events also inspects and issues permits related to outdoor cooking, trade shows and other activities.