Fire Prevention

The primary responsibility of the Fire Official is the enforcement of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and other local fire safety regulations. Major activities within the scope of this office include:

  • Fire investigations to determine origin and cause
  • Fire permit control
  • Fire safety complaints
  • Inspections of life hazard uses
  • Inspections of nonlife hazard uses (except owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings)

New Jersey Uniform Fire Code

The purpose of this code is to establish the minimum requirements consistent with nationally recognized good practice for providing a reasonable level of life safety and property protection from the hazards of fire, explosion or dangerous conditions in new and existing buildings, structures and premises and to provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.

Safety Provisions

The Uniform Fire Code is designed to assure that fire safety provisions in existing buildings are maintained and that specific target hazards are retrofitted with fire protection systems, fire resistive construction or other fire safety features that the state has identified as benefiting the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Building Categories

Buildings and their associated occupancies are broken down in 2 categories, Life Hazard Uses and Nonlife Hazard Uses. Life Hazard Uses (LHU's) must be registered with the state. Both Life Hazard Uses and Nonlife Hazard Uses are inspected in accordance with the code. The UFC is provides for temporary situations such as special events, tents, canopies, construction site safety and use of flame producing equipment.

Register a Business

To Register a Business (if occupying commercial space only);

Please note - Business Certificate of Occupancy from Building Department required prior to Fire Prevention registration

Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Compliance (For Residential Certificate of Occupancy)

Due to a change in the State law, smoke detector and carbon monoxide compliance certificates are now inspected and issued through the Middletown Township Fire Prevention Office. The certificate is now a component of the Residential Certificate of Occupancy (CO). 

Upon issuance, the certificate is sent to the Middletown Township Building & Inspection Department. The CO will be issued by the Building & Inspection Department once all requirements are met.

Special Permits

Special Permit Applications are required for special events such as carnivals, food trucks, tents,
etc. where the following activities will require Fire Inspection:

  • Cooking/Open Flame (Health Dept application required for food vendors)
  • Propane Use
  • Tents greater than 900 square feet in area or more than 30 feet in any dimension (Read a PDF about the tent permit requirements)
  • Fireworks Displays, etc.

NON-FOOD TRUCK: Complete the Special Type 1 Permit Application. (PDF)

Food Truck Vendors

Effective immediately (per Township Ordinance 2024-3411), revised fee schedule to include Inspection Fees as specified below in addition to the Type 1 permit fee of $54:

  • N/A weekday inspection fee (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
  • $50 weekday inspection fee (after 4:00 PM)
  • $75 weekend and holiday inspection fee
  • $50 reinspection fee (if required)

These fees may be combined on one check made out to Middletown Fire Prevention.

FOOD TRUCK: Complete the Special Permit Application for Itinerant Retail Food Handling Establishments. (PDF)

Inspection Requirements/Restrictions

Permit received via application for a special fire inspection as per NJ.A.C. 5:70. The permit for Itinerant Retail Food Handling Establishments is valid for one day, up to and not to exceed 6 consecutive days, of operation where the establishment remains on site. The permit is not valid for intermittent days of operation during the timeframe of application.

Working Smoke alarms save lives image

How to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Exposure

CO Poisoning Information Opens in new window

In order to prevent exposure to carbon monoxide, the Middletown Township Fire Prevention Office and Health Department encourage residents to read the New Jersey Department of Health's fact sheet above. Remember to make sure that both your furnace and Carbon Monoxide detectors are in good working order.

Read this fact sheet in Spanish. (PDF).

Read the NJ Residential Smoke Alarm, Carbon Monoxide Alarm and Fire Extinguisher Requirements (PDF).

Lithium-Ion Battery Safety

Please read the resources below for more information.

Be Ready in a Flash - Create  a Survival Flash Drive

If there were a fire, flood, or other disaster that destroyed your home, where would your important documents such as birth certificate, passport, deed, licenses, permits, etc. be? Protect yourself by scanning all your important documents and storing them on a Survival Flash Drive.

  • Purchase a USB Flash Drive (also called memory sticks or thumb drives due to their small size)
  • Use a permanent marker, sticker, or label to put the world "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) on it
  • Scan your important documents using a scanner, and store the files on the Survival Flash Drive

What to Put on Your Flash Drive

All Govern Issued IDs, Licenses, Permits, and Certificates for Each Family Member

  • Birth Certificate
  • Driver's License/ID
  • Gun Permit
  • Immigration Papers
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Passport
  • Social Security Card
  • Veteran/Discharge Papers
  • Work Permits/Licenses

Important Non-Government Documents

  • Advance Directives
  • Bank Accounts
  • Business Records
  • Contracts
  • Credit Card Accounts
  • Divorce/Custody Papers
  • Health Plan Information
  • Insurance (Home/Auto)
  • Medical Records
  • Power of Attorney
  • Real Estate/Mortgage
  • Rental Agreement
  • Restraining Order
  • Vaccination Records
  • Wills

Other Important Information

  • Current Photos of Each Family Member and Pet
  • Important Family Pictures
  • Emergency Contact List with Addresses and Phone Numbers

Keep It Up-to-Date

Remember to keep the information on your Survival Flash Drive current by updating it regularly.

Password Protect / Encrypt the Information

For an added level of security, you can password-protect the files or encrypt the drive using software like TrueCrypt. Keep in mind that emergency workers would have a hard time opening protected files.

Store It in a Safe Location

Store your Survival Flash Drive in a small sealed plastic bag to prevent damage from the elements. Attach it to your key chain, put it in your purse, put it in a fireproof and waterproof safe, put it in a drawer at work, or put it in the glove box of your vehicle. Keep a copy wherever you think it will be safe and available in an emergency away from your house (in case of fire or flood).

Special Medical Conditions

Create a document on your computer that includes all the details personnel may need to know in an emergency. Name the document ICE (which stands for In Case of Emergency). Safe a copy of the ICE document on your Survival Flash Drive.