Fire Prevention

The Township of Chatham – Fire Prevention Bureau has the responsibility and authority to enter, investigate and perform routine fire inspections of all buildings, structures and properties in Chatham Township with the exception 1 & 2 family dwellings in which the owner of the property resides.

Our primary responsibility is enforcement of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and other local fire safety regulations. This includes the inspection of all Life Hazard Use Properties (ie: gas stations, schools, nursing homes, daycare facilities, auto repair/auto body shops, places of assembly and large retail operations) and the inspection of Non-Life Hazard businesses, offices and multi-family residences.

Additional duties of the Fire Prevention Bureau includes: certification of smoke detectors/carbon monoxide alarms for re-sale of private homes, complaint investigations, fire safety permit control, issuance of violation and penalty notices for failure to comply with the law and Fire Prevention Week activities. We also assist the Township of Chatham – Police Department in Fire Investigations, to determine origin and cause, and Fire Lane Enforcement.

The Bureau is 100% user fee supported. No taxpayer monies are used in any aspect of fire code enforcement. The Bureau derives its primary funding from Life Hazard and Non Life Hazard Use registration fees. All moneys collected are solely used to enforce the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and other related programs. This includes materials and expenses related to fire inspections, investigations and prevention and educational programs.