Smoke Detector Application

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Pursuant to N.J.U.F.S.A.52: 27d-192 before any one- or two-family dwelling is sold, leased, or otherwise made subject to change in occupancy for residential purposes, the owner shall obtain a certificate of compliance from the Westfield Fire Department, Bureau of Fire Prevention. Failure to obtain this certificate prior to change in occupancy shall result in a $200.00 fine.

Inspections are conducted: Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:00am and 12:00pm.

Fee schedule:

  • Inspection Scheduled more than 10 business days after payment received $100.00
  • Inspection scheduled four to 10 business days after payment received $125.00
  • Inspection scheduled fewer than four business days after payment received $150.00

As of January 1, 2019 the following changes to the Smoke Detector are in effect N.J.A.C. 5:70-4.19:

Ten-year sealed battery-operated single station smoke alarms shall be installed and shall be listed in accordance with ANSI/UL 217, incorporated herein by reference. However, A/C-powered single or multiple station smoke alarms installed as part of the original construction or rehabilitation project shall not be replaced with battery-powered smoke alarms. The effective date of this subsection shall be January 1, 2019. A/C powered smoke detectors shall be accepted.

WHERE TO LOCATE DETECTORS:

Smoke detectors are to be located on every level of a residence, (basement, first floor, second floor) excluding crawl spaces and unfinished attics, and in all separate sleeping areas and living areas such as garage. In homes with only one sleeping area on one floor, a detector is to be placed in the hallway outside the bedrooms as shown in Figure 1. In single floor homes with two separate sleeping areas, two detectors are required outside each sleeping area as shown in Figure 2. In multi-level homes, detectors are to be located outside sleeping areas and at every finished level of the home as shown in Figure 3. Basement level detectors are to be located in close proximity to the bottom of the basement stairwells as shown in Figure 4.

WHERE NOT TO LOCATE SMOKE DETECTORS

To avoid false alarms and/or improper operation, avoid installation of smoke detectors in the following areas:

  • KITCHENS – smoke from cooking may cause a nuisance alarm.
  • BATHROOMS – excessive steam from a shower may cause a nuisance alarm.
  • NEAR FORCED AIR DUCTS – used for heating or air conditioning-air movement might prevent smoke from reaching detector.
  • THE 4-INCH “DEAD AIR” SPACE- where the ceiling meets the wall, as shown in Figure 5.
  • THE PEAK OF AN “A” FRAME TYPE CEILING – “dead air” at the top may prevent smoke from reaching detector.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON DETECTOR PLACEMENT:

For further information about detector placement, consult the National Protection Association Standard No. 74-1984, titled “Household Fire Warning Equipment”. This publication may be obtained by writing to the Publication Sales Department, National Fire Protection, Battery March Park, Quincy, MA 02269

WHERE TO LOCATE CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS:

Outside each sleeping quarters in hallway per manufacturers recommend height. See Owner’s manual. If bedrooms are on two different levels or wings, two detectors are required.

CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS OR DETECTORS

A carbon monoxide alarm or detector should be centrally located outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. Where bedrooms are separated and the audibility of the alarm impaired, more than one unit could be needed. Each alarm or detector should be installed within 10 feet of the bedrooms as specified in the installation instructions that accompany the unit.

Carbon monoxide alarms or detectors can be battery operated, plugged into an outlet, or part of an existing central station automatic fire alarm system.

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TYPE AND PLACEMENT OF THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER ARE AS FOLLOWS:

  1. At least one portable fire extinguisher shall be placed in all one and two family detached dwellings upon change of occupancy.
  2. The extinguisher shall be labeled, listed, charged and operable.
  3. The size shall be no smaller then 2A: 10B:C and no larger than 10 lbs.
  4. Fire extinguisher needs to be mounted within 10 feet of the kitchen and located in the path of egress, readily accessible and not obstructed from view.
  5. The top of the extinguisher must not be more than 5 feet above the floor.
  6. The hangers or brackets supplied by the manufacturer must be used.
  7. Extinguisher must have an owner’s manual or written information regarding the operation, inspection, and maintenance of the extinguisher and shall be left for the new occupant.
  8. The extinguisher shall be tested or purchased within the last 12 months.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Do I still need this inspection if the house is being demolished?
    • Yes. Regardless of what is happening to the structure after the sale is finalized, the CSDCMAC (Certificate of Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Compliance) is required.
  • What kinds of payments are accepted for the application?
  • What are the hours of operation for the Fire Prevention office?
    • Monday through Friday 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm.
  • Is the plug in Carbon Monoxide Detectors allowed?
    • Yes, as long as they are in the right location which is located outside of the sleeping areas.
  • What times are the inspections performed?
    • The inspections are performed between the hours of 9am and 12pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a time period that will not be narrowed down and you will not receive a phone call prior to arrival. The engine company will arrive to perform the inspection sometime between 9am and 12pm.
  • Do I have to secure my pets during the inspection?
    • Yes, please secure all pets during the inspection.
  • Can someone other than myself be there for the inspection?
    • Yes, you can have any other adult (MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER) there instead of yourself for the inspection. If the system is an alarm system make sure that person has knowledge of the system and the alarm code.
  • If the house is vacant, can I leave the house open for the firemen to let themselves in and do the inspection?
    • NO! The firemen will not enter the residence if there is not an adult present.
  • Does the fire extinguisher need to be mounted?
    • Yes, see previous instructions under the the fire extinguisher section.
  • How will I receive my certificate?
    • You will receive your certificate by email if an email is provided at the time the application is submitted. Only one email address will be accepted whether it is the homeowner, the real estate agent or the lawyer.
  • Are the combination smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors acceptable?
    • Yes, only if they meet the new requirements as of January 1, 2019 and the location is correct for the smoke detector and carbon monoxide requirements.
  • What type of fire extinguisher can I have?
    • The fire extinguisher must be a 2-A; 10-B: C extinguisher. The 1-A: 10-B: C is not an acceptable extinguisher.
  • What happens with Central Station Fire Alarms?
    • A letter from the monitoring company needs to be presented stating that the system is operational.
  • What happens if I have open construction permits?
    • The building department will be notified and permits need to be closed prior to issuance of certificate.