Selling Your Home or building a new one. Read this first
The starting point for getting approval of fire alarm and smoke detector installations is to first and foremost, call us at (781) 837-1314/1315 or stop at Marshfield Fire Department, 60 South River St to discuss your plan with our Fire Prevention Officer, Deputy Chief Jack Beagle or Fire Chief Kevin Robinson. There is no fee for this service and our expertise can be very valuable to you as you move forward.
If you have plans for a new house, addition or other project that might require smoke detectors, we will mark those plans either before or after you get a building permit. That process can take up to three (3) days, and we need you to leave us a set of plans to mark.
As the project progresses, we will come out and visit your construction site prior to dry wall being installed an assure that you have an adequate number of detection devices in the correct locations. Although we mark your plans prior to construction, features change that are not shown on plans, or additional sleeping areas might be added. Our pre-dry wall inspection can save you money and it costs nothing for us to pay a visit.
Resale or refinance of older homes, new homes, and additions to older homes require the placement of carbon monoxide (CO) detector in the home. Carbon monoxide detectors are required by a Town Bylaw that was approved at Annual Town Meeting in 1996. The Bylaw does not identify the specific location for carbon monoxide detector, it also does not require battery powered or AC powered. The standard that we use is that all sleeping areas must be protected. If all bedrooms are on the same floor with less than a 30' separation then one will be sufficient. Large separation over 30' between bedroom doors or bedrooms or more than one floor will require more detectors.
We also require house numbers on the front of the house. Numbers are required by Town by-law, and by State regulation under MGL Ch. 148, sec. 59. House numbers should be a minimum of three (4) inches high, be of a contrasting color to the surface that they are mounted on, and should
be mounted so they are clearly visible to emergency responders from the street coming from either direction of travel to your location. House numbers are for your benefit because if we can't find your house in an emergency, valuable time is lost.
If you are selling your home and don't know where smoke detectors should be located, we will gladly advise you where to place them. We do not install them but we will should you the best locations to have them installed.
Residential Smoke Detectors – One and Two family – Existing Structures
PERMITS:
1. An “Application for Certificate of Compliance”, MGL Chapter 148 Section 26F, shall be submitted with $ 25.00 fee.
2. Following inspection for compliance, a “Certificate of Compliance” (valid for 60 days) will be issued to applicant or designee.
3. Every building shall have affixed thereto a number representing the address of such building. Such number shall be of a nature and size and shall be situated on the building so that, to the extent practical, it is visible from the nearest street or road providing vehicular access to the building. (MGL Ch. 148 sec. 59)
INSTALLATION: ONE (1) AND TWO (2) FAMILY
1. One (1) approved smoke detector shall be installed on each living level.
2. One (1) approved smoke detector shall be installed on the basement level.
3. To meet the specifications of 1 and 2 above, an approved detector shall be installed on the ceiling at the base of each stairway leaving to the floor above, and, on the ceiling outside each separate sleeping area.
4. Beginning in 1998, new home construction shall meet the requirements of the 6th edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code, 780 CMR 3603.16.10.
Approved Smoke Detector Requirements
1. Construction prior to 1975: Battery operated
2. Construction 1975-1998: Permanently connected to an AC primary source of power. System additions or replacements must be permanently wired. “Battery operated” detectors are not approved as replacemnt for properly placed smoke detector. Battery operated detector may be allowed as additional smoke detector depending on the specific situation but will never be allowed as replacement for AC powered detectors.
3. Construction 1998-present: Permanently connected to an AC primary source of power with secondary power supplied from monitored batteries.
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Residential Smoke Detectors - New Construction
PERMITS:
Prior to the issuance of a building permit, a sets of plans may be submitted to the Fire Department for approval of smoke detector placement on large scale projects.
An "Application to Install" shall be filed before any work is started on a type 1 or type 2 system. The fee of $ 25.00 shall be submitted with application.
Upon completion of installation, a "Certificate of Completion" signed by the Licensed Installer shall be filed.
Inspection of installation will be required by the Fire department prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy by the Building Inspector.
INSTALLATION: ONE (1) AND TWO (2) FAMILY
Power for single and multiple station smoke detectors shall be supplied from a permanently wired connection directly to an AC primary source of power.
In addition to required primary power, all household fire warning systems shall have secondary (standby) power supplied from monitored batteries.
Smoke detectors shall be installed in the following locations:
a. in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms
b. in all bedrooms
c. in each story of a dwelling unit, including basements and cellars, but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics
d. in residential units of 1200 square feet or more, smoke detectors shall be provided for each 1200 square feet of area or port thereof.
Exceptions:
In buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkles system, smoke detectors are not
required in bedrooms.
Any smoke detector located within 20 feet of a kitchen or within 20 feet of a bathroom containing a tub or shower shall be a photo electric type smoke detector but shall satisfy all compatibility requirements.
When one or more sleeping rooms are added or created in existing dwellings, the entire building shall be provided with smoke detectors designed and located as required for new dwellings.
REGULATORY AUTHORITY
Massachusetts General Laws
Ch. 22, sec. 14
Ch. 148, sec. 26E
527 CMR Board of Fire Prevention Regulations
1.00 Administration and Enforcement
780 CMR MA State Building Code (6th edition)
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Residential Smoke Detectors - Three to Five Units - Existing Structures
PERMITS:
An "Application for Certificate of Compliance", MGL Chapter 148, Section 26F, shall be submitted with applicable fee of $25.00.
Following inspection for compliance, a "Certificate of Compliance" (valid for 60 days) will be issued to applicant or designee.
Every building shall have affixed thereto a number representing the address of such building. Such number shall be of a nature and size and shall be situated on the building so that, to the extent practical, it is visible from the nearest street or road providing vehicular access to the building (MGL Ch. 148, sec. 59)
INSTALLATION: THREE TO SIX UNITS (in whole or part residential)
One (1) approved primary power smoke detector shall be installed outside each separate sleeping area.
A series of interconnected approved primary power smoke detectors shall be installed in all common hallways and basements.
REGULATORY AUTHORITY
Massachusetts General Laws
Ch. 22, sec. 14
Ch. 148, sec. 26E,26F
527 CMR Board of Fire Prevention Regulations
1.0 Administration and Enforcement
780 CMR MA State Building Code (6th edition)
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