New Jersey fire inspection rules
In New Jersey, the Division of Fire Safety's Contractor Certification Unit licenses the businesses and individuals who install, service and maintain fire protection equipment, including fire extinguishers, kitchen and specialized fire suppression systems, and fire sprinkler systems.
Who licenses fire protection companies in New Jersey
Source: Contractor Certification Unit licenses fire protection firms and people
Who may inspect and service
Under N.J.S.A. 52:27D-25q, a New Jersey fire protection contractor may not install, service, repair, inspect or maintain fire protection equipment unless it holds, or employs a person who holds, a valid state certificate of certification.
People licensed for the fire alarm business under N.J.S.A. 45:5A-23 and licensed electrical contractors do not need this certificate to do fire alarm work, as long as they stay within the scope of their own profession.
Source: A certified person must hold or be employed by the firm
License types
Class C1, All Fire Protection Equipment Contractor, may install, service, repair, inspect and maintain all the equipment covered by classes C2 to C6.
Class C2, Fire Sprinkler System Contractor, may install, service, repair, inspect and maintain fire sprinkler systems.
Class C3, Special Hazard Fire Suppression System Contractor, may install, service, repair, inspect and maintain special hazard fire suppression systems and also kitchen fire suppression systems.
Class C4, Fire Alarm System Contractor, may install, service, repair, inspect and maintain all fire alarm systems.
Class C5, Portable Fire Extinguisher Contractor, may install, service, repair, inspect and maintain all portable fire extinguishers.
Class C6, Kitchen Fire Suppression System Contractor, may install, service, repair, inspect and maintain all kitchen fire suppression systems.
Source: C1 All Fire Protection Equipment
What the state requires
A New Jersey building owner must make sure fire dampers, smoke dampers and combination fire and smoke dampers are inspected and tested as the Uniform Fire Code standards require; this does not apply to one-family, two-family or attached single-family homes used only as dwellings.
The Division of Fire Safety's contractor page posts state report forms for the quarterly and the annual inspection of a fire sprinkler system.
Sources: Owners must have fire and smoke dampers tested; State sprinkler inspection report forms
Checking a company's license
The Division of Fire Safety publishes a list titled Fire Protection Equipment Contractor, Permitted Business with Qualifiers, giving each business name, permit number, lapse date and address.
Source: Official permitted business list
Common questions
Who may inspect fire extinguishers in New Jersey?
A contractor that holds a New Jersey fire protection certificate, or employs someone who does. Class C5 covers portable fire extinguishers.