Fire Prevention

Fire Code Review and Inspection Services

The Poway Fire Department Fire Prevention Division is responsible for the application of statutes, laws and regulations to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare from the hazards of fire, explosion or dangerous conditions in new and existing buildings, structures and premises. The Fire Prevention Division is managed by the Fire Chief. The Fire Prevention Division includes a Deputy Fire Marshal, a Senior Fire Safety Inspector, and a Fire Safety Inspector. Fire and Life Safety Plan Review and Inspection services are provided by the Esgil Corporation through the Building Department.

Plan review and inspection services ensure compliance with state and local fire and life-safety regulations. Plan reviews include the approval of new building construction, tenant improvements, landscape plans, grading plans, conditional-use permits, tentative tract maps, parcel boundary adjustments, temporary-use permits, development reviews, street and water improvements, pre-application development, and fire protection systems. Annual inspections of businesses, multifamily residential occupancies, educational, institutional, and permitted facilities ensure the safety of our community. 

Poway Fire Code

The City of Poway adopts by reference the International Fire Code and the California Fire Code. Local amendments are included in the triennial adoption process that address Poway's unique climatic, geologic and topographic characteristics. This adoption creates Poway's Fire Code within the Poway Municipal Code. The Poway Fire Code is submitted for filing to the Building Standards Commission. A large area of Poway is located within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Area (VHFHSA) indicating its threat by wildland fire. Fire Prevention staff applies additional code requirements and fuel modification requirements to new construction projects in these areas. Vegetation management programs applied to existing parcels is managed by Code Compliance in consultation with staff from the Fire Prevention Division.

Fire Permits

In accordance with the Poway Municipal Code, the City of Poway Fire Department requires and issues permits for a variety of business activities, construction work, operations, practices or functions. Each permit requires a payment of the appropriate fee. Please be aware that any work requiring a permit may not be started until the plans have been approved and the permit is obtained.

About Permits

A permit constitutes permission to maintain, store, use, or handle materials; conduct processes which produce conditions hazardous to life or property; or install equipment used in connection with such activities. The authority to require and issue permits is found in Article 1 of the California Fire Code.

Some permits constitute authority for a continuing process, such as to operate a place of public assembly or the use, handling, and storage of flammable liquids. These activities require the renewal of the permit on an annual basis. Other permits are for 1-time operations such as the alteration or addition to a fire suppression or fire sprinkler system, the use of a temporary membrane structure (tents and canopies), or the installation of liquefied petroleum gas tanks.

Construction Permits

When the scope of work on a building involves the construction of that building, such as the addition or moving of walls, the installation of rack storage in a warehouse, or the addition of a ventilation system, the permit process begins with the City of Poway’s Development Services Department - Building Division.

Fire Plan Checks

The City of Poway requires independent plan submittals for the review and approval of fire alarm systems, fire extinguishing systems, fire sprinkler systems, fire service mains, fire pump systems, commercial hood & duct fire extinguishing systems, compressed gas systems, high-piled combustible storage, spray booths, above ground water tanks for fire protection and underground tanks. Submittals shall include applicable fees and meet submittal requirements as listed. Submittal requirements, as appropriate, include hydraulic calculations, material data sheets, battery and voltage drop calculations, air sampling calculations, technical reports, and CA State Fire Marshal listings.