State Fire Clearance

Fire Clearance For Care Facilities

All state-licensed care facilities require a fire safety inspection (or fire clearance) prior to initial licensing, or before any changes to a licensed facility can be approved by the State. Facilities requiring these inspections include: day care, residential care for the elderly or disabled, health care facilities or drug/alcohol rehabilitation facilities. The Community Risk Reduction Division conducts fire safety inspections for all licensed facilities that operate in Huntington Beach.

Pre-Inspection for Fire Clearance

It is recommended that potential care facilities request a pre-inspection prior to requesting a fire clearance. The pre-inspection can identify any possible changes needed to meet the requirements for your particular facility. To request a pre-inspection, an Application for State Fire Clearance, along with site plan and floor plan, is required, in addition to the applicable fees. Submit completed application Fire Department via email at [email protected].

Fire Clearance Inspection

The Department of Social Services and Community Care Licensing initiate the fire clearance process by submitting a fire safety inspection request form (STD 850) to the Huntington Beach Fire Department. Once the STD 850 form is received and processed, a fire inspector will contact the applicant to schedule an inspection. The following information is needed to process the fire clearance request:

A site plan showing all buildings on site, access driveways, setbacks from property lines and distances between buildings. Include fenced areas and exits to the street.
Floor plan of the building that shows all rooms, interior and exterior doors, windows, bedrooms, common use areas, attached garages, etc. Indicate the use of each room on the plan.
Number and location of client bedrooms. Please specify how many clients are ambulatory vs. non-ambulatory and the location of their respective bedrooms. (Residential Care Facility only)
Location of any ramps for all interior and exterior changes in elevation for all exit paths, including slope, handrails, guardrails. (Residential Care Facility only)
Information and location of all smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull station/bell, fire sprinkler system riser/inspectors test valve/Fire Department Connection (FDC), fire protection water tank and hydrant, if applicable.

Completed applications can be submitted to the Fire Department via email at [email protected], or via fax at 714-536-5411.

Fees

Fees shall be assessed (to the applicant) based on how many clients your facility will be licensed to serve:

Pre-application:

25 clients or less - $50.00 (or current fee schedule)
26 or more clients - $100.00 (or current fee schedule)

Note: Fees will be charged per inspection. Re-inspection must include a new application.

Fire Clearance (STD 850 Form):

6 clients or less - No Charge
Over 6 clients: Hourly rate ($161/hr) or per current fee schedule

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