Fire Marshal & Inspection Division

Address: 121 Connecticut Ave, Norwalk, CT 06854 (Park on the "West End"and take the elevator to the 3rd Floor) 

Phone Number: 203-854-0244, 203-854-0248

Office Hours: Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
(Offices are closed daily for lunch from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm)

The Fire Prevention, Inspection & Investigation Division, also known as the Fire Marshal's Division is made up of 8 NFD Local 830 members, consisting of the Fire Marshal, a  Deputy Fire Marshal and 6 full-time NFD Local 830 Fire Inspectors and 2 part-time fire inspectors. 

The mission of the NFD Local 830 Fire Prevention, Investigation and Inspection Division is to promote fire safety and to provide the highest service to the Citizens of Norwalk.

The Fire Prevention, Inspection & Investigation Division provides fire and life safety educational programs for city schools, organizations, and the general public. They are also required to investigate every fire in the City of Norwalk, according to State Law. These investigations are to find the cause, origin of each and every fire. In addition this division provides fire and life safety protection by conducting building inspections and enforcing the State of Connecticut Fire Safety Codes.

This is achieved by promoting fire prevention and education, fire and life safety protection. This is continued by conducting building inspections, enforcing the Connecticut Fire Safety as well as the Local Norwalk Fire Codes. In addition, this division provides fire and life safety educational programs for city schools, organizations and the general public.

 Roles and Responsibilities :

• Inspecting commercial buildings as well as residential buildings housing three families or more
• Inspecting mobile food unit vehicles
• Overseeing outdoor cooking and festival events with fire watch personnel to ensure that the public remains safe, and ensure fire safety codes and regulations are followed. The Fire Marshal's Division must be contacted 3 days prior to the event to have your final inspection scheduled with us (an additional fee will be charged for weekend or evening final inspections, there is no charge during regular office hours)
• Providing fire watch for large assembly events, the Fire Marshal's Division must receive 3 days’ notice prior to event to schedule to have your final inspection scheduled with us. The requirement for a fire watch will be determined at the time your permit is signed by the Fire Marshal's Division (an additional fee is required for all events requiring a fire watch)
• Prior to the issuance of a building permit, the Fire Prevention Bureau reviews all building plans to ensure that the plans comply with all applicable fire codes and regulations. Every inspector is trained by the State of Connecticut in plan review to find any errors that may not comply to the State Fire Code.
• Fire prevention inspectors conduct periodic inspections of facilities to ensure that business operations are conducted in a safe manner and are consistent with the conditions of approval. We have inspection checklists for several different occupancy types that would help you prepare for an upcoming inspection.
• Issues permits (NOT FOR UST TANK REMOVALS) and conducts inspections for special events such as festivals, events with tents or canopies and fireworks booths.
• Public education
• Enforcement of the Fire Prevention codes.
• Providing for the investigation of all structure fires in our jurisdiction as required by the CT State fire code.
• Maintaining all NFIRS reports, fire inspection reports, and fire investigation reports for the Division.

Walk in hours for special event permit signing only are Wednesdays 8:00am-11:00am.

You will need the following:

1. Current copy of insurance for the event (minimum one (1) million dollars)
2. Floor plan of the event, including cooking equipment location (if applicable) portable fire extinguishers may be required
3. Will there be tents over 10' x 10'? If yes, an inspection by the Fire Marshal's office is required prior to the event (minimum three (3) days’ notice)
4. Will the event be held after dark? If yes, you will need lighting, illuminated exit signs, emergency lighting (extension cords shall not be used improperly)
5. Construction Plan Reviews

As a part of the city's building construction permit process, the Fire Marshal conducts construction plan reviews for:

• Commercial properties
• New construction projects
• Renovations or additions to multi-family dwellings

We require:

1. All current State of Connecticut adopted codes specific to your project to be included with all plans submitted to ensure code compliance. No exceptions, your project will be delayed without this information. Current adopted codes can be found at ct.gov
2. We require three (3) hard copies of all plans submitted for review, architect and planning and zoning stamped approval if required must be on the plans submitted for review. Additionally all plans over 5,000 square feet will require an electronic version to be submitted. The plan review submission form must be filled out completely at time of drop off along with payment or it will delay your project, no exceptions
3. We require three (3) hard copies of fire alarm system, sprinkler system and commercial kitchen hood system installations or upgrades. A final acceptance test by the Fire Marshal's Office is required prior to receiving a certificate of occupancy
4. No walk in plan reviews are done, appointments must be made to see the Fire Marshal or Fire Marshal's Office personnel, no exceptions

We currently have a limited supply of Smoke Alarms on a first come first serve basis for those in need. Please contact us at 203-854-0248 or 203-854-0249 to set up an appointment for installations by NFD Local 830 Fire Inspectors between the hours of 5-7pm Monday -Thursday.

Arson Tip Award Program

The FAIR Plan sponsors the Connecticut Arson Tip Award Program.

This Program offers a reward for information leading to the arrest, conviction or prevention of an arson fire.

A toll free "Arson Hot Line" (1-800-84ARSON or 1-800-842-7766) is answered 24 hours a day.

Information may also be sent to:

Arson Tip Award Program

P.O. Box 8614
East Hartford, CT 06128-0614

Forms:

Blasting Permit and Explosives Form

Emergency Contact Form

Plan Review Fees and Submission Form

Standard Regulations for Outdoor Amusements Form