Responsibilities
The Building & Fire Safety Division of the Bentonville Fire Department is staffed by seventeen experienced, full-time personnel. The division is responsible for a wide range of activities that make the community a safer place in which to work, shop, and live.
These activities include residential and commercial plan reviews, fire and life safety inspections, fire safety education, and fire investigations. The division is charged with conducting fire and life safety inspections to protect our community and the lives of our citizens through enforcement of the laws and regulations governing fire safety. The division absorbed what was formerly known as the Bentonville Building Inspections Department in March of 2020. The consolidation improved the inefficiencies of both departments, creating a true one-stop shop for developer/builders.
This Division reviews all residential and commercial plans prior to the issuance of permits and all applicable sub-permits for the construction of:
- New commercial buildings
- New residential homes
- Commercial additions and remodels
- Residential additions and remodels
- Decks, storage buildings, storm shelters
- Demolition
- Structural raising and/or moving
- Operational permits: tents, special events, etc.
Fire Investigations - click the tab on the left for more information.
Fire investigations are conducted by an on-call member of the division. All division members are trained in fire investigation and evidence processing. The division conducts investigations into both criminal and non-criminal fire causes and conditions. The fire investigators work closely with the Bentonville Police Department Criminal Investigation Division.
Fire Safety Education - click the tab on the left for more information.
Fire Safety Education is an important part of the overall duties assigned to the division. The division develops and coordinates a variety of public education and training programs that are used in the community.