History | Contact

Hackettstown Fire Prevention Bureau

We are located at:
Office of the Fire Marshal
215 Stiger Street
Hackettstown, N.J. 07840
(908) 852-3774 (Fire Marshal)
(908) 852-5728 (Fax)

What is the Fire Prevention?

The primary goal of the Fire Prevention Office is to prevent fires by assuring that all publicly occupied structures are maintained in accordance with nationally recognized fire safety standards. The Fire Safety Bureau has been established in the Town of Hackettstown, to promote fire safety for many years now. Due to the high increase loss of life, during the 1970's, and 1980's, the State of New Jersey adopted The Uniform Fire Codes of New Jersey. These codes help business and homeowners create a safer working and living condition.

Currently the Fire Prevention Bureau consists of a part time Fire Official, two part time Deputy Officials and two part time Inspectors. The Fire Official or Fire Marshal is David Tynan, Jr, The Fire Marshal oversees all inspections of commercial and businesses are done on a yearly basis. The Fire Marshal's Office also helps businesses in the town, set up and operates within the guidelines of the New Jersey Sate Uniform Fire Code. The Fire Marshal's Office also inspects all homes being sold in the Town of Hackettstown. The Fire Marshal's Office also responds throughout Hackettstown for complaints that are reported. Some complaints may consist of open burning, fire alarm activations, structural fires, commercial fires, illegal fireworks, and fire lane blockages.

The Fire Marshal's Office is available to provide fire safety training for the businesses in Hackettstown. Lectures, fire extinguisher training, and evacuation planning, are some topics that are provided.

Another important function of the Fire Marshal’s Office is to respond and investigate all reported fires or explosions occurring within Town of Hackettstown. The Fire Marshal’s Office assists other agencies with the determination of the origin and cause of the fire. These investigations are preformed in conjunction with the Hackettstown Police Department and Warren County Fire Marshal and Prosecutors office.

Commercial and Business Inspections

Every commercial building and business in the town must be inspected yearly to ensure that all buildings abide by the Uniform Fire Codes of New Jersey. Some of the more common found violations that are found by the Fire Prevention Bureau are:

  • Blocked Fire Exits- All Exit doors must be kept clear at all times.
  • Exit lights not illuminated- Exits lights must be light at all times.
  • Emergency Lights not working- these lights provide light to the occupants in case of emergency.
  • Fire Extinguisher Maintenance- these must be maintained tested yearly, the testing company will place a tag on each extinguisher showing when the last test date was.
  • Fire Extinguishers required- Each business should have at least one fire extinguisher is a 2a 20bc. Please check with the Fire Prevention Bureau for how many is required.
  • General house cleaning- Do not let items that can easily catch on fire accumulate.
  • Extension cord: These are only permitted for use as a temporary power source, such as plugging in a drill. Extension cords maybe are prohibited as a permanent means of a power source.

There are many more violations that can be cited, Please check with the Bureau if you have any questions.

Dwelling Inspection (Sale of a home or change of tenant)

This type of inspection can only be done before the homeowner sells the house. This type of inspection is mandated by the State of New Jersey. A house cannot be sold without the completion of this inspection. This inspection is to ensure the house has a smoke detector on each level of the house, and a Carbon monoxide detector within 10 feet of a bedroom on each level. In accordance to the Town of Hackettstown’s ordinance § 90-15. A certification shall not be issued until all requirements are met. The Fee for this inspection is $35.00 for 15 days or more before the closing, $75.00 for 14-5 days to closing and $125.00 for fewer than 4 days to closing; as well as a penalty will be given if a house is sold without this certification. Please contact the Fire Safety Office to schedule an appointment. Below is a diagram for locations of detection as well as fire extinguisher.

Truss Construction signs

You may see around the town triangular shaped emblems mounted by the front doors of businesses, or on top of street signs. There will be either “R”, an “F”, or an “R/F”, in the center of this triangular sign. This helps the Fire Department identify witch structures use this type of construction.

Public Education

The Bureau is available for civic meetings and businesses to discuss and promote fire safety. The bureau also teaches at the various schools during Fire Prevention Week along with the local fire departments. Some of the many topics we can discuss with your group are as follows:

  • General fire safety
  • Carbon monoxide emergencies
  • Use of fire extinguishers
  • Making your house safer

Home Fire Safety Information

In recent time of doing our in house fire prevention programs we find that alot of children do not know their fire escape plan. We also find that doing inspections on selling homes or during complaints that people do know what to look for in their own home.

Home Fire Escape Plan

Home Fire Safety Checklist - A checklist game that kids can play with their parents.


Fire Prevention Forms

2010 Landlord Registration Renewal Application

Fire Alarm Contact Information

Fire Prevention Permit

Non-Life Hazard Registration Form

Overcrowding Complaint Form

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Application

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Location Diagram

Smoke Detector, Carbon Monoxide Alarm, & Fire Extinguisher Compliance