Fire Inspection Program

The Fire Prevention Bureau is responsible for conducting fire and life safety inspections of new building construction, building tenant improvements or re-models, fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems and special protection systems for compliance with the California Fire Code as amended by the West Covina Municipal Code.

Additional inspections conducted include (but are not limited to):

• Hotels, motels, apartments, churches, schools, public assembly occupancies, day care facilities, health care facilities, mid-rise and high-rise buildings
• Businesses (some are periodically inspected by Fire Suppression personnel)
• Special events, production facilities and filming locations
• Businesses with hazardous materials and underground or aboveground storage tanks
• Brush hazard/weed abatement 

To protect the community, the West Covina Fire Department conducts fire and life safety inspections of commercial properties and multi-family dwellings. Every city or county fire department or district providing fire protection services are mandated to inspect all structures within its jurisdiction, except single family dwellings, for compliance with building standards and other regulations of the State Fire Marshal, in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.2(a).

After an inspection has been performed, an invoice is issued.

The West Covina Fire Department utilizes Fire Recovery USA, a private billing company, to issue these inspection invoices and collect payments.  If you have any questions about your invoice and payment, please contact Fire Administration at (626) 939-8824 or Fire Recovery USA at (888) 640-7222. 

For questions regarding inspections, please contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at (626) 939-8824.

Brycer - The Compliance Engine

The Compliance Engine is a simple, Internet-based tool for Fire Prevention Bureaus, Water Departments, and Building Departments to track and drive inspection and testing code compliance, reduce false alarm activity, ensure clean drinking water and provide a safer community.

It provides a secure cloud environment in which third-party contractors that inspect, test, and maintain fire protection systems backflows and elevators, submit their reports via BRYCER’s web portal directly to the Authority Having Jurisdiction, facilitating a more efficient review, tracking, and follow-up process with occupants to correct deficiencies and maintain systems.

BRYCER also provides proactive services, in addition to the web-based technology, that includes; hard and soft copy notifications, call services, analytics, consultation, 24hr support and market education to help increase testing and maintenance activity in a given jurisdiction. The end result is a comprehensive and accurate aggregation of data around which buildings have what types of systems when they were last tested, and if there are any open deficiencies that could jeopardize their successful deployment in the event of an incident.

With The Compliance Engine, Code Officials are better equipped to do more with less in their mission to drive 100% compliance with fire protection systems, backflows and elevators adopted inspection, testing and maintenance laws.

*For more information and how to submit reports please click HERE . 

The Los Angeles County Fire Department is the City of West Covina’s Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) responsible for administrating all six program elements of the Unified Program within our jurisdiction. The Unified Program consolidates, coordinates, and makes consistent the following hazardous materials and hazardous waste programs:

• Hazardous Waste Generation, including onsite treatment under Tiered Permitting
• Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks (APST) Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan (SPCC)
• Underground Storage Tanks (UST)
• Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventories
• California Accidental Release Prevention Program (Cal ARP)
• Uniform Fire Code Hazardous Materials Management Plans and Inventories

Who needs a permit?

Permits are required for any business that handles or stores hazardous materials, and any business, which generates, stores, or treats hazardous waste.

Who do I contact for further information?

Los Angeles County Fire Department - Health Hazardous Materials Division
5825 Rickenbacker Road, Commerce 90040
Phone: (323) 890-4045 Fax: (323) 890-4051

Where can I obtain Unified Program forms?

Los Angeles County Fire Department CUPA Forms

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

The health and safety of residents in our community and the environment is endangered when household products containing harmful chemicals are discarded in household garbage, sinks and storm drains. West Covina residents are encouraged to follow proper steps to dispose of household hazardous waste by dropping it off at a FREE local Household Hazardous Waste Collection event.

Hazardous Waste Collection Dates

The use of any fireworks within the City of West Covina is prohibited.  This includes a prohibition on the use of what are commonly referred to as "Safe and Sane Fireworks" as well as "dangerous" fireworks.  

The only safe way to enjoy fireworks is to attend an official public display presented by a fireworks professional.  

Please refer to Ordinance No. 2294, sections 15-63 through 15-72 to Article III (Fire Works) of Chapter 15 of the West Covina Municipal Code.  The ordinance set the administrative fine levels that may be imposed on any person for failure to comply with the Municipal Code.

Administrative Fines which may apply to anyone who violates any provision of this code as it relates to the possession, use, storage, sale and/or display of "dangerous fireworks" shall be subject to the imposition and payment of an administrative fine or fines.

For the fee schedule, please click here.

 Fire Prevention Week was on October 8-14, 2023

 As Fire Prevention Week™ approaches, the West Covina Fire Department reminds residents to

“Cooking Safety Starts with YOU. Pay Attention to Fire Prevention”

The West Covina Fire Department is teamed up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®)—the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years—to promote this year’s Fire Prevention WeekTM, “Cooking Safety Starts with YOU. Pay Attention to Fire Prevention”.  This year’s campaign, October 8 -14th,  worked to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.  

The West Covina Fire Department Presented its 5th Annual Fire Prevention Week Open House campaign, “Cooking Safety Starts with YOU. Pay Attention to Fire Prevention”, on Saturday, October 7th at Fire Station #2 - 2441 E Cortez Street. Download the event flyer HERE . 

For more information about Fire Prevention Week visit www.fpw.org.

Don't forget to visit  Sparky's Firehouse for activities and games. 

1. Whenever a pool is involved, it's important to stay vigilant year-round with a special emphasis during the summer!  

Here are some pool safety recommendations:  

2. You and your child can prevent injuries by learning the ABC's of pool safety:

A = Adult Supervision

• Assign an adult who can swim as the "water watcher" to specifically watch kids in the pool.
• The "water watcher" should keep a cell phone handy with the address of the pool (in case they need to call 9-1-1).
• The "water watcher" should only use their cell phone if necessary.  They shouldn't browse their cell phone or read when they're the "water watcher."
• The "water watcher" should never leave children in or around a pool unattended - not even for a second! 

B = Barriers

• Install and maintain proper fencing around your pool.  Report maintenance problems at a public pool. 
• Make sure all gates are self-closing, self-latching and open outward away from the pool.
• Take away all objects that allow a child to climb up or reach the gate latch or climb over the fence.
• Use additional layers of protection including pool safety covers, gate alarms, door alarms, motion-detection devices, etc.  Inspect them monthly.

C = Classes

• Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and rescue techniques. 
• Sign up for swim lessons if you don't know how to swim.
• Learn how to use rescue equipment around a pool such as a shepherd's hook or life-saving ring.
• Learn about the proper behavior in and around water.  Teach children the same behavior.

3. Here is what to do if a child falls into a pool:

• Yell for help and check the scene to make sure that you can safely help the child.
• Get the child out of the pool and onto the pool deck.
• Check for consciousness by tapping and shouting, “Are you okay?”
• If someone is with you, have them call 9-1-1. Determine if the child is breathing: tilt the head back, if you do not hear or feel breathing or see the chest rising, give 2 rescue breaths then check for a pulse.
• Begin CPR immediately and continue until emergency help arrives.
• If you are alone and the child is not breathing and/or does not have a pulse, start CPR immediately. After one minute, call 9-1-1. Return to the child and continue CPR until help arrives.

4. Here are some tools to help your child learn about pool safety:

• Mobile App:
  • Download the free app "Swim" by the American Red Cross (iPhone) (Android).
  • Learn to help keep your loved ones safe in & around water with drowning prevention and emergency response information.  Includes educational games and videos for kids plus a swim lesson progress tracker.
• Music:
  • Sing along to a child-friendly song about the 4 simple steps about pool safety (YouTube link here).
• Take the Pool Safely Pledge and Post to Social Media:
  • The pledge form only requires a name and zip code (pledge form here).

• Video:
  •  Watch a public service announcement (PSA) from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding pool safety (YouTube link here).

5. Finally, here are some statistics about pool injuries:

6. In sum, the West Covina Fire Department encourages you to consider these pool safety tips to maximize your enjoyment at the pool!