Fire Inspection Program

The Fire Inspection Program is the backbone of fire prevention in the city. The majority of inspections are performed by firefighters and the more complex inspections are performed by inspectors assigned to the Fire Prevention Division.

Fire Inspections are divided into either the designated type of inspection or the geographical region of the inspection. To find out who will inspect your business, call the Fire Marshal at (209) 385-4777.

Inspections performed annually include public assemblies (places where more than 49 people gather), schools, day-care facilities, residential care facilities, multiple-unit residential buildings, nursing homes and other institutional facilities. Senate Bill 1205 requires an annual inspection of:

• Educational Group E Occupancies
  • Public / Private Schools, used by more than six persons at any one time for educational purposes through the 12th grade

• Residential Group R Occupancies
• • Occupancies containing sleeping units, and include hotels, motels, condominiums, apartments (three units or more), etc. 
  • Residential Care Facilities (residents or clients having a range of needs, including those related to custodial care, mobility impairments, cognitive disabilities, etc.). These residents may also be non-ambulatory or bedridden.

SB 1205 Compliance Report for 2024 State Mandated Annual Fire Inspections

Scheduling Inspection Appointments

To schedule an inspection, please call (209) 385-4777 at least 48-72 hours in advance. We are not able to accommodate same day inspections. Please be sure to specify the type of inspection you would like (i.e. fire and life safety, text/exhibit booth inspection, etc.). Inspections are first come, first serve basis.

Licensed Facility Inspections

This fire inspection is required for a license and is performed by a Fire Inspector assigned to the Fire Prevention Division.

State Fire Marshal Fire Safety Inspection Request for Licensed Facility Inspections

Facilities licensed by the Department of Health, Department of Social Services and Community Care Licensing are required to have a fire clearance inspection in order to be licensed. A request for an inspection (STD850) is routed to Fire Prevention from various agencies. The Fire Prevention Division does NOT accept requests from citizens.

Note: Facilities seeking a new or updated license may be required to verify their current occupancy classification before fire clearance is granted.

Pre-Inspection for Licensed Facility Inspections

It is recommended that facilities licensed by Community Care Licensing request a pre-inspection prior to requesting a fire clearance. The pre-inspection will provide information about building and fire code requirements which must be met to become a licensed facility.

Call the Fire Department at (209) 385-6891 to schedule a Pre-Inspection.

Knox Box

Lock boxes are hardened steel vaults mounted on the exterior of buildings to store access keys for exclusive use by authorized fire department personnel to gain afterhours access quickly and efficiently at unattended buildings. Use of lock boxes reduces the necessity to damage buildings through the use of forcible entry.

The Merced Fire Department approves the use of lock boxes manufactured by the Knox Company. Both recessed and surface mount models are approved for installation.

Lock boxes can be purchased online from the Knox Company.

Order Knox Box