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Fire Prevention & Investigation
The Bremerton Fire Department's Division of Fire Prevention is managed by the Fire Marshal’s Office. The Fire Marshal’s Office is dedicated to providing the citizens of Bremerton with courteous professional service through continuous and efficient fire prevention practices, code enforcement, fire investigation, and public education.
Services performed by the Fire Marshal’s includes annual inspections of businesses and occupancies as mandated by applicable law, acts as the lead agency or provides support services in the investigation of all fires occurring within the jurisdiction of the City of Bremerton, and provides public education in relation to fire prevention and mitigation of fire incidents.
The Fire Marshal’s Office includes a Fire Marshal, who also serves as the lead in plan review for construction relating to fire safety; i.e. fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems, and two Deputy Fire Marshals.
Services performed by the Fire Marshal’s includes annual inspections of businesses and occupancies as mandated by applicable law, acts as the lead agency or provides support services in the investigation of all fires occurring within the jurisdiction of the City of Bremerton, and provides public education in relation to fire prevention and mitigation of fire incidents.
The Fire Marshal’s Office includes a Fire Marshal, who also serves as the lead in plan review for construction relating to fire safety; i.e. fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems, and two Deputy Fire Marshals.
Fire safety inspections are conducted annually to help identify and prevent potential fire code violations. The goal of these inspections is to decrease the number and severity of fires and largely used as an opportunity to educate business owners and occupants. The Fire Prevention Office hopes that by educating people on potential fire code violations the business community will have the background to self-police and correct these issues as they develop. Fire safety inspections use the International Fire Code as a standard.
Fire inspectors conduct inspections of businesses, churches, schools, hospitals, residential buildings of 3 or more units on a single parcel, and other state mandated inspections, including inspections referred by tax and licensing for new businesses.
There is no cost for a fire inspection in the City of Bremerton. Inspectors make routine inspections of all public spaces, which include areas like hallways, exit balconies, assembly rooms, utility and laundry rooms and garages. Unless requested by an owner, annual inspections are routine and normally do not require appointments, unless there are special hazards and/or the building is very large, which requires the assistance of a building engineer to complete the inspection.
For a list of common fire code violations, or focus areas, click here.
Fire inspectors conduct inspections of businesses, churches, schools, hospitals, residential buildings of 3 or more units on a single parcel, and other state mandated inspections, including inspections referred by tax and licensing for new businesses.
There is no cost for a fire inspection in the City of Bremerton. Inspectors make routine inspections of all public spaces, which include areas like hallways, exit balconies, assembly rooms, utility and laundry rooms and garages. Unless requested by an owner, annual inspections are routine and normally do not require appointments, unless there are special hazards and/or the building is very large, which requires the assistance of a building engineer to complete the inspection.
For a list of common fire code violations, or focus areas, click here.
The Bremerton Fire Marshal and/or Deputy Fire Marshal(s) of the Fire Prevention Office are responsible for examining the physical attributes of a fire scene, including identifying and collecting evidence from the scene. The evidence is then analyzed to help determine the cause and origin of the fire.
To request a copy of a fire investigation report, submit a public records request here.
For a look into past fire scenes, see the photo gallery.
To request a copy of a fire investigation report, submit a public records request here.
For a look into past fire scenes, see the photo gallery.
For new development, construction, or updating an existing fire safety system, permit application and plans shall be submitted through Department of Community Development Online Center.
View our helpful Design/Contractor’s Guide here.
Fire Department construction fees are based on the Building Permit Fee Schedule.
Check out these helpful YouTube videos:
- Adjust Fire Alarm Sprinkler System
- Application/Requirements of Fire Lanes
- Moving Nozzles
- Fire Alarm Testing
- Bremerton Fire Department Permits
What is a Fire Watch?
Fire watch is when a person is assigned to keep watch on hot work and fire hazards in an area that does not have automatic fire warning systems or fire suppression systems. A fire watch is required if any of the fire systems is not working temporarily, or if none is in place yet. It is usually only a short-term solution before the fire systems can be repaired or installed. The area to be watched for fire is patrolled by the fire watch personnel and action taken in the event of a fire.
When is a Fire Watch Required?
When a fire protection system (fire alarm or fire sprinkler) is not functional, a fire watch is required while the building/facility is occupied, or as necessary in the opinion of the fire officer, until the fire protection system is repaired / replaced.
Fire Officer Requirements include:
- A dedicated person that is not responsible for performing any other tasks during the time a fire watch is required.
- Shall be trained in the proper use of fire extinguishers and fire alarm pull stations.
- Have a cell phone.
- Have a flashlight.
- Inspect every portion of the facility every 30 minutes including void spaces, closets and mechanical areas looking for fires.
- Keep an inspection log (to be faxed/provided to the Fire Marshal’s Office daily)
KNOX Box
The City of Bremerton Fire department has an active Knox Box (key safe) program. These key safes are placed on an outside wall and near the main entrance. When the fire alarm system sounds the Fire Department will respond to check the business.
Purpose of the Box
The key safe program allows fire crews to access the business keys without the business owners / managers present saving valuable time and reducing or eliminating forcible entry damage.
Various Knox Box Sizes
The Fire Department requires different size Knox Boxes for different types of building features:
- Residential occupancy: 1650 series
- Standard business: 3200 series
- Business with elevator: 4400 series
- Multi-family occupancy: Knox cabinet
Frequently there are several main entrances, large buildings and multi-level buildings may require more than 1 box. Knox Boxes can be purchased online.
A full set of keys will be required for each installed box.