APPLICATION FOR SMOKE DETECTOR AND

CARBON MONOXIDE CERTIFICATION

FIRE EXTINGUISHER REQUIREMENTS – as of March 5, 2007

Fire Prevention Phone #:  (908) 204-2511 Ext: 2511

277 South Maple Ave., Basking Ridge, NJ 07920

 

Check section of town located in:

Society Hill/Spring Ridge/Cedars_________             Lyons/Stonehouse _______

Finley/Maple _________

 

King George/Valley ________           The Hills _____________       Liberty Corner ____________

Somerville Rd _________                  Mountain Rd __________

 

Mt. Airy/W. Oak ________                Rt. 202/Childs ________

                       

NO NEED TO COMPLETE IF REINSPECTION  -  CURRENT APPLICATION ON FILE

 

PROPERTY OWNER:___________________________________________________

 

PROPERTY ADDRESS: _________________________________________________

 

BLOCK:  _____________________             LOT:  __________________

 

CONTACT PERSON: _______________________ TELEPHONE NO.:____________

 

REALTOR: ________________________________ AGENCY: ___________________

 

REALTOR’S TELEPHONE NO.:__________________________

 

CLOSING DATE: ___________________           DATE OF NEW RENTER: ___________________

 

Appointments are scheduled on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 8:00am to 11:30am.

Please do not schedule your appointment the same day as your moving day or your closing.

Payment is accepted in the form of cash or check made payable to Bernards Township.

No appointment will be made without completed application and payment.

 

The fee schedule is as follows:

 

$35.00         Requests received more than 10 calendar days from change of occupancy/closing.

$70.00         Requests received within 10 calendar days of change of occupancy/closing.

$140.00       Requests received within 4 calendar days of change of occupancy/closing.

 

PLEASE NOTE: WE DO CHARGE FOR A RE-INSPECTION. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS TO BE SURE YOU ARE READY FOR YOUR INSPECTION.

 

ALL FIRE ALARM & SECURITY SYSTEM CODES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR PERSON MEETING INSPECTOR

 

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR SMOKE/CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR/FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSPECTION

 

 

When the Fire inspector arrives at your house they will be checking the smoke detectors, the carbon monoxide detectors and the fire extinguisher.

 

**IMPORTANT: Please see “Smoke Detector Requirements” attached to your application form for what type of smoke detector is required for your dwelling.

 The fire inspector will spray one of the smoke detectors with a can of smoke to make sure it works. If the smoke detectors are interconnected every smoke detector in the house must go off when one is tested. The inspector will continue to check each smoke detector individually until all have been checked.

 

He/she will then test the battery backup of each smoke detector. The electric circuit breaker for the smoke detectors will be turned off and the inspector will again spray smoke on each smoke detector to check that the battery backup is working. This only applies to dwellings with interconnected electric smoke detectors with battery backup.

 

 

** IMPORTANT: Please see “Carbon Monoxide Requirements” attached to your application form for more information on carbon monoxide detectors.

The fire inspector will test the carbon monoxide detectors by pressing the test button. It should emit a series of beeps, then a pause, then another series of beeps. The carbon monoxide detectors must be located within 10 feet of the bedroom doors or one in each bedroom.

 

 

** IMPORTANT: Please see “Fire Extinguisher Requirements” attached to your application form for more information on fire extinguishers.

The fire inspector will check that the fire extinguisher is mounted with the manufacturers mount in the kitchen or within 10 feet of the kitchen. The fire extinguisher cannot be sitting in a cabinet, on the floor, on a table or on the counter. IT MUST BE MOUNTED. It can be mounted in a cabinet (must be in the front of the cabinet with nothing blocking it) in the kitchen or within 10 feet of the kitchen. It must be mounted no higher than 5 feet and be at least 4 ½ inches off the ground. The fire extinguisher must be ABC type and no larger than 10 pounds.

 

If your dwelling does not pass you must come into the office at 277 S. Maple Ave. to make another appointment for a re-inspection. You will be required to pay the same fee you paid for the first inspection.

 

Please call the office at 908-204-2511 ext. 2511 with any questions prior to your appointment so we may assist you.

 

If you need to reschedule your appointment kindly give us at least 24 hours notice.

 

Smoke Detectors for Residential Dwellings

When and What is Required

 

 

Built Prior to 1977

There were no smoke detector requirements.  If no smoke detector upgrades have been done, then one battery-operated smoke detector is required on each level including the basement.

 

 

Built from January 1, 1977 – February 21, 1983

These dwellings were built with an electric smoke detector on the sleeping level and in the basement.  They were not interconnected.  The original smoke detector system must be working and a battery-operated detector must be installed on any level not currently equipped with a detector.

 

 

Built from February 22, 1983 – April 30, 1993

These dwellings were built with an electric smoke detector on every level including the basement.  They were interconnected.  The original smoke detector system must be working.

 

 

Built from May 1, 1993 – Present

These dwellings were built with interconnected electric smoke detectors with battery backup. This system will be tested from the electrical system and the battery system.  Please be prepared to turn off the electrical breaker for the battery test.  Detectors are located on every level including the basement, in the vicinity of sleeping areas, and in every bedroom.  The original smoke detector system must be working.

Additional Information

 

  • When a dwelling has undergone a modification or increase in size that would have required an upgrade in the smoke detector system, the new system must be in working order.

 

  • Ceiling mounting of smoke detectors is best.  6 inches of clearance are required around smoke detectors for better air current and detection of smoke.

 

  • The rules regarding a split-level dwelling allow you to eliminate a smoke detector on one level when there is a smoke detector on the level above and no intervening door between the levels.

 

  • Do not locate battery operated smoke detectors within five (5) feet of the kitchen or bathroom.

 

  • Smoke Detectors in the basement must be located at the bottom of the basement stairs.

 

  • Tip of ceiling fan blade must be 3 feet away from smoke detector.

 

As of March 5, 2007 Requirements for

Portable Fire Extinguisher Compliance

(N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3, 2.9 and 4.19)

 

At least one portable fire extinguisher shall be installed in all residential dwelling upon change of occupancy.

 

The extinguisher must meet the following criteria:

 

  1. The extinguisher must be rated for residential use consisting of an ABC type.
  2. No larger than 10 pound rated extinguisher.
  3. Mounted with the manufacturers mount within 10 feet of the kitchen area.
  4. The extinguisher can be mounted within a cabinet, in the front with nothing blocking it.
  5. Must be at least 4 ½ inches off the ground and no higher than 5 feet.

 

When mounting your fire extinguisher:

 

If you want to hang something heavy – like a bookshelf or a mirror – onto drywall, by far the best way is to fasten it directly into the underlying wall studs. Use a stud finder or just tap the wall to find out where the studs are and screw directly into them. Unfortunately in a lot of cases that isn’t possible – those studs never seem to be where you want to hang something – so luckily, you have some other options.

 

Fasteners for hanging things on a wall are broadly grouped into light duty and heavy duty. Here’s an overview of some of the more common fasteners used.

 

Light Duty Fasteners

 

Conical Plastic Anchors – Also known as plastic wall plugs, these range in size from about ¾” all the way up to 2”. The best of them have ribbed or ridged sides that will stop the anchor from pulling out of a wall once it is installed. To use one of these, drill a pilot hole in the drywall large enough for the anchor to be inserted and tapped flush with the wall surface.  Manufacturers packaging outlines the size of the pilot and the size of the screw each fastener is designed to work with. When the proper sized screw is installed, the arms that form the cone shape are forced out wider than the hole, helping to hold the screw in the drywall. For the most part, these are designed for light duty holding and shouldn’t be considered for anything that weighs more than 10 to 15 pounds.

 

 

An expanded plastic wall plug. When placed into a

 wall, the screw forced in causes the arms to spread.

 

 

 

Requirements for

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors

 

NJ State law now requires that any dwelling that contains a fuel burning  appliance, fireplace, woodstove, or an attached garage upon sale, lease, rental (change of occupancy), be equipped with a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector. No construction permit is required for their installation, unless they are permanently connected to the homes electrical wiring. These detectors are available from most hardware stores, home centers, department stores, and discount stores. Detectors may be battery operated, plug-in, or hard wired with battery backup. Detectors must be installed (if not already) before making an appointment with our office.

 

CO detectors shall be centrally located in the hallway within 10 feet of the bedroom doors or one in each bedroom. The detector may be ceiling or wall mounted and installed in a competent manner and in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions. All detectors shall be located and mounted so that jarring or vibration will not cause accidental operation. All detectors shall be supported independently of their attachment wires.

 

 

                  

***PLEASE NOTE: DETECTORS DO EXPIRE. To test your detector, press the test button. The detector should emit a series of beeps, followed by a brief pause, then another series of beeps. One beep is not sufficient, it must be a series of beeps. ***