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Insurance Company Letter Requests:

Upon verified request, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue will conduct a Fire Department Survey to determine if an adequate water supply distance, fire station distance, and emergency vehicle access is available. Written documentation will be provided for submittal to your insurance company. This service is provided for a fee of $25.00 per letter, as provided in the Palm Beach County Fire Code, Ordinance 2004-073, Table 1.14.7 (IV). This fee applies to all letters, including those provided to private homeowners, commercial land development applications, or any other request for site surveys intended to determine adequate water supply.

The Letter

These letters will identify the assigned fire station and distance to insured property, number of fire apparatus and GPM designation, gallons of water available on scene, and any bona fide primary or alternative credible water source located within 1000 feet of the insured location. These credible water supplies may include fire hydrants, ponds, or canals. Insurance companies will NOT routinely provide credit for water sources farther than 1000 feet away.

The Water Source

In order for a water source to be acceptable for fire protection, it must be suitable for firefighting purposes. For example, fire hydrants that are shut off and ponds that are inaccessible or too shallow are not considered suitable for firefighting. Fire Rescue certifies the credibility of water sources through the inspection and designation of credible alternative water supplies and the inspection of water on private property as requested by homeowners.

Not every survey will generate a favorable letter. In fact, 35% of all properties not already listed in the pre-approved water sources database will fail inspection. Some examples of why a water source may fail inspection include:

• The water source is less than 4 feet deep.
• The surface of the water is greater than 15 feet from the fire engine connection, causing excessive vertical lift.
• No acceptable water found within 1000 feet of the insured property.
• Inadequate parking access or surface to accommodate a Class A Fire Engine.
• Obstruction of egress, including less than 15 feet width through all gates, fences, outbuildings, landscaping, etc.
• Inadequate driving surface incapable of supporting gross vehicle weight of fire engine and water weight (20 tons) in all weather.

The Service

Fire Rescue performs this service out of the Fire Marshal's Water Office. Verifications are performed by Water Officers who are certified apparatus driver/ operators. These inspectors are experienced in fire operations and apparatus placement and the calculation of gallonage. While no request for a letter is refused, Fire Rescue cannot guarantee a positive letter.

To complete a request for an insurance letter online, please complete this form, making sure to complete all fields. You may also request a survey by sending a fax to (561) 233-0057, or by calling (561) 233-0066.

If requesting a letter by fax or by mail, please provide us with all of the following information: your name, mailing address, the property address for which you need the insurance letter, the best daytime phone number, and home phone number so we may contact you.

There is routinely a 10-14 day wait as Fire Rescue receives many survey requests. All requests are handled in the order in which they are received.