Are firefighters from my local fire station conducting these inspections?
No. As of January 2019, all inspections are being conducted by Fire Prevention Bureau inspectors.
Can I get a copy of the inspection report?
Yes, a copy of the inspection report will be provided to you by your fire inspector after the inspection has been conducted. If an additional copy is needed, please contact your inspector at 818-548-4810.
Can inspections be scheduled in advance?
Most inspections are conducted as part of the inspectors' routine duties and do not involve appointments. The inspectors can reach out to property owners and managers to schedule appointments for buildings that require additional access.
How can I pay the bill?
By phone: Call 1(800) 906-6552 PST - 8:00am to 4:30pm
By mail: Check made payable to the City of Glendale, mailed to Glendale Fire Department, Fire Prevention Bureau, PO Box 269110, Sacramento, CA 95826-9110.
Please DO NOT pay in cash.
How do I know if an inspector is legitimate?
Glendale Fire Department inspectors carry identification cards and wear uniforms as depicted in these photographs. Do not be shy to ask for identification and if in doubt, you may call our office at 818-548-4810.
GFD inspectors will never ask you for money, financial information, or issue bills or invoices on-site. We may ask for contact information (name, address, phone, email) for the correct point of contact.
How is the bill calculated?
Each year fees are reviewed and are subject to change. Bills are based on half-hour increments. Activity associated with the inspection is billed, include, actual on-site inspection time, travel, and some administrative work performed in our office for filing, reviewing reports, and other related duties. The current rate is listed as a line fee item in the Fire Department fees of the City’s fee schedule.
How much time do I have to make the corrections? Can I request an extension?
Corrections that are identified are required to be addressed immediately. The Fire Department does not give a “time to comply”. We do, however, indicate an estimated date or number of days in which we plan to follow up. That is not to say you have that much time to leave a deficiency as-is.
Generally, if you will not be ready for the re-inspection, you may request an extension of the re-inspection date.
I didn’t see any fire inspectors or firefighters in my building. How do I know this invoice is legitimate?
Inspections are not always prescheduled and are conducted as the inspector’s schedule permits.
We posted a sample bill on our website so you can verify if the bill you received is legitimate. If any of the key information does not match, such as how to make payments (which is also listed below), then it is not legitimate.
If I have questions, who can I contact?
Questions about the bill or payment should be directed to the Glendale Fire Department’s billing vendor, Wittman Enterprises, LLC at 1 (800) 906-6552 PST – 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
What are inspectors looking for?
During inspection fire inspectors are looking for fire hazards in all public spaces, which include areas like stair shafts, hallways, corridors, exit balconies, assembly rooms, utility and laundry rooms, storage areas, and garages. If buildings are equipped with fire alarms or automatic sprinkler systems, records of service/certification will be required to ensure these systems are being professionally serviced/certified, and are maintained in proper working order.
What can I do to prepare for the inspection?
Below is a list of the most common aspects of a typical fire and life safety inspection. You can use this list as a tool to assist you in maintaining your building in proper condition, thereby avoiding violations of the Fire Code and other Health and Safety Standards. For more information, you can call the Fire Prevention Bureau at (818) 548-4810, and ask to speak with a Fire Inspector.
What is The Compliance Engine? Why am I getting letters from them?
The GFD entered into a contract with a third party internet based service provider for processing the certification reports of all fire protection and life safety systems. You may have or will receive a letter from The Compliance Engine notifying you that systems in your building require testing / inspection / maintenance by qualified, licensed contractors. Those contractors will submit their reports to the GFD by uploading them into The Compliance Engine’s website. Any deficiencies noted will be reported to you by the Compliance Engine.
When did you start billing? I never received a bill in the past.
We began billing in 2014.
Why am I getting a bill?
State law requires all multifamily residential buildings to be inspected by the Fire Department annually and authorizes the Fire Department to charge a fee to recover costs. California Health and Safety Code (HSC) §13145, §13146, §13146.2, §17921. Multifamily residential buildings are broadly defined as apartments, condominiums, and townhomes (of 3 or more units), hotels, and motels. The Fire Department is charging a fee to recoup part of the costs for conducting these mandatory inspections and for the necessary support staff and infrastructure of this program.
