How to Reach Us
Office of the Fire Marshal
1100 4th Street SW
Washington DC 20024
Phone: (202) 727-1614
Inspection Service Request
Each year the DC Fire and EMS Department Fire Prevention Division inspects thousands of businesses to ensure compliance with fire code. These inspections are required in many cases by the responsible District Government licensing agency to satisfy their business/ operational license renewal process. The purpose of this page is to enlighten business owners who operate business establishments within the District of Columbia on the important role that the DC Fire and EMS Department Fire Prevention Division has in the license renewal process and how to request their fire inspection from the DC Fire & EMS Department.
Businesses here in the District of Columbia have a large variety of operational practice. From retail/ mercantile businesses that sell products and goods to daycare facilities that care for the young and elderly, all businesses in the District of Columbia require a fire inspection at the time of licensure renewal. In order for a business owner to receive a fire inspection of their business from the DC Fire & EMS Fire Prevention Division, they must make a request by submitting an Application for Permits and Inspections.
Examples of businesses that require fire inspections at license renewal:
- Retail/ Mercantile Stores
- Bars
- Restaurants
- Night Clubs
- Day Care Facilities
- Boarding/ Rooming Houses
- Community Based Residential Facilities
- Service Stations
- Automotive Repair Shop
- Any other business as designated by a licensing city agency
Operational Permits
The DC Fire and EMS Department Fire Prevention Division (FPD) is responsible for ensuring safe operational practices of those individuals, companies and businesses who wish to use or participate in operations that are considered to be hazardous and pose a potential threat to the safety and well being of the general public, patrons and visitors to District of Columbia. To make this possible, there are certain operations and practices that require a proper fire code compliance review and the issuance of an operational permit from the Fire Chief.
Operational permits are required as specified in the IFC 2012 Edition and the Title 12 DCMR 12H Fire Code Supplement (2013). The operational permit provides the Fire Prevention Division the opportunity to inspect the hazardous use or storage and become aware of these target hazards within the community, and ensuring all fire and life safety concerns are addressed while conducting operations. Many hazardous conditions require an operational permit including aerosol products, carnivals and fairs, exhibits and trade shows, industrial ovens and waste handling. Please select here for the complete list.
Further detailed information regarding the operational permits can be obtained from the DC Fire & EMS Department Fire Prevention Division located at 1100 4th Street SW Suite E700, Washington, DC 20024, and phone (202) 727-1614. The FPD Division hours of operation are 8:15 am to 16:45 pm, Monday through Friday. Please click here for Application for Permits and Inspections. We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover) . Please note: supporting documents must be uploaded.
Please send any additional documentation request to [email protected]
