Department of Fire Prevention

Duties

Duties of the Department of Fire Prevention consist of the enforcement of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, inspecting all commercial buildings and tenants, schools, places of assembly and multi-family dwellings.

The Department of Fire Prevention is a multi-task department serving the Township of Mahwah. In addition to conducting fire code inspections at commercial locations, Fire Prevention also provides public fire safety education programs.

Check out the Public Education Sites tab for documents related day-to-day routines and updated product information.

Outdoor Recreational fires vs Open burning

As the weather gets nicer and outdoor activities pick up, we are asked about the difference between fire pits and outdoor burning.  The main difference is you can safely have an outdoor fire in an approved device and away from combustible materials.  Outdoor burning of brush, leaves and other similar growth is prohibited, unless you have a permit from the NJ State Forest Fire Service and the Fire Official.   You cannot burn brush, leaves and green growth in the approved device for recreation, this is limited to sawn wood that you would use in the fireplace.  Refer to the link on our public education site or here.

Tent and Membrane structures for use with outside dining rules

From April 1 thru November 30, all tents and membrane structures require a permit for any tent that is 900 square feet or larger.  Tent specifications need to be submitted to the this office for review and an inspection will be required prior to issuance of the permit and before it can be used.  From December 1 thru March 31, the tent and membrane structures fall under the Uniform Construction Code and the Building Department and their permit process.

Food Truck vendors and trucks

All food truck vendors must take out a permit to operate within the boundaries of the township, this includes special events, employee BBQs in parking lots, and all similar events.  All vendor vehicles must be inspected prior operating at the event.  Any truck that is found to operating without a permit will be asked to shutdown and leave the event. Permits can be obtained from this department and the fee associated with it can be paid at the time of application.

Certificate of Smoke Alarm, Carbon Monoxide, and Portable Fire Extinguisher (CSACMAPFEC N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3 and 4.19)

Another task performed by Fire Prevention, is the State of New Jersey required certification of smoke detector operation in the resale of homes and a change of tenants. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the home inspection process has been altered.  To apply for a certification, a packet will be handed out or downloaded from here or from the Permit Application link on the left.  Since the restrictions have been lifted, we are resuming in-person inspections along with the affidavit process we used during the pandemic.  We understand that there may be applicants that are still concerned with letting outsiders into their homes.  To make it easier, you now can choose either process. Contact the office or stop in to schedule the inspection, once you have completed the application. The affidavit is still needed to complete the certification and inspection process, but does not need to be notarized if we come out the location for the inspection. Included in the packet are three documents: the affidavit for the inspection, the homeowner’s instructions and the instructions to return the affidavit to complete the certification and inspection.  All fees are to be returned with the affidavit and all pictures are to be emailed for the visual reference. The pictures are used so that we can see that the proper devices were installed according the instructions.  As of July 1, 2021, the application fee for the CSACMAPFEC is now $90.00.

NOTE: The Township of Mahwah does not require a Certificate of Continued Occupancy for a resale or tenant rental. However, the State of New Jersey requires, by Sections N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3 and 4.9 of the New Jersey State Uniform Fire Code, a Smoke Detector Certification. This certification requires smoke detectors on every level, carbon monoxide detectors outside all bedrooms and a 2A:10B:C fire extinguisher

For further information, please contact the Department of Fire Prevention during normal office hours Monday through Friday, 7 am to 3 pm.