FEES

More Than 10 Business Days Notice – $80.00
4 to 10 Business Days Notice – $90.00
Less than 4 Business Days Notice – $100.00
Reinspection Fee Of $80.00 For Each Failed Inspection
All Inspections Must Be Prepaid
CERTIFICATES ARE GOOD FOR 6 MONTHS FROM DATE OF ISSUE

THE LAW – NJAC 5:70 –2.3(a) States – Before any use group R-3 or R-4 (Single or 2 family) Structure is SOLD, LEASED, or otherwise made subject to CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY for residential purposes, the owner shall obtain a Certificate of Smoke Detector, Carbon Monoxide Alarm, and Portable Fire Extinguisher Compliance (CSDCMA&PFEC), evidencing compliance with NJAC 5:70-4.19

SMOKE ALARM/DETECTOR REQUIREMENTS

TEST AND CLEAN YOUR SMOKE ALARMS/DETECTORS BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED INSPECTION DATE. CHECK TABLE BELOW TO ENSURE YOUR SMOKE ALARMS/DETECTORS MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.
There are different types of smoke alarms/detectors
1. Battery operated smoke alarms/detectors
2. Electric smoke alarms/detectors
3. Electric smoke alarms/detectors with interconnection
4. Electric smoke alarm/detectors with interconnection and battery back-up
The type of smoke alarm/detectors required for a CSDCMAPFEC will depend on the type of smoke alarm/detectors that were required at the time of original construction. Replacing electric smoke alarms/detectors with battery-operated smoke detectors is NOT permitted. Defective interconnected smoke alarms/detectors must be replaced with compatible alarms/detectors or in the alternative; all interconnected alarms/detectors must be replaced to meet the requirements of CSDCMAPFEC.

HOUSES BUILT/RENOVATED MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR certificate of smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance

NOTE: Household fire alarm systems installed in accordance with NFIPA 72 that include smoke alarms, or a combination of smoke detector and audible notification device installed as required by this section for smoke alarms shall be permitted. The household fire alarm system shall provide the same level of smoke detection and alarm as required by this section for smoke alarms in the event the fire alarm panel is removed or the system is not connected to a central station.

Morris Plains Fire Prevention WILL NOT test Low Voltage, Central Station fire alarm systems. Many of these systems do not meet the CSDCMAPFEC requirements. Your alarm service company must test/certify them using an NFPA approved form.

• A smoke detector is required on every building level.
EXCEPTION: Split levels where you may omit a half-level, but not two adjacent half levels, and not if there is an intervening door between the levels. The lowest level and all levels with bedrooms must have smoke alarms.
• A smoke detector is required within 10 feet of every bedroom door. If a level has more than one sleeping area, smoke detectors are required on each sleeping area within 10 feet of every bedroom door.
• The smoke detector installed on the basement level and all levels without a sleeping area must be located in close proximity to the stairway leading to the floor above.
• Smoke detectors must be property mounted and secured to the ceiling or wall. Smoke detector base must be flush with the ceiling/wall.
• All smoke alarms must be UL listed or equivalent and must have a test button.
• Common area hallways and stairways in two-family houses must have smoke detectors at each landing.

Smoke detectors are NOT permitted:
 Within 5 feet of a kitchen (cooking vapors)
 Within 3 feet of an attic fan or the tip of the ceiling fan blades.
 Within 3 feet of the door leading to a bathroom containing a tub or shower (steam)
Exception: Photoelectric type smoke detectors may be within 3 feet of bathroom.
 Within 3 feet of an air vent (supply or air flow)
 Within 1 foot of a light fixture
 Within the “dead air space” where the wall meets the ceiling (ceiling detectors must be at least 4” from wall, wall mounted detectors must be at least 4” and no more than 12” from ceiling)
 Smoke detectors are not permitted to be painted

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• If an addition is added to the structure the entire structure is required to be upgraded to the latest code requirements in effect at the time of the new construction.
• Ceiling mounting of smoke detectors is best. 6 Inches of clearance are required around smoke detectors for better air current and detection of smoke
• Smoke detectors are NOT required in crawl spaces.

ALL CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS
1. MUST be installed in all single- or two-family dwelling unit(s) that contain a fuel-burning device or have an attached garage.
2. Single station carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed and maintained in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping area(s). The alarm MUST be within 10 feet of every bedroom door.
3. Carbon monoxide alarms may be battery-operated, hard-wired or of the plug-in type and shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL-2034 and shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of NJAC5:70-4.19 and NFPA-720.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
5:70-4.19 (e) At least one portable fire extinguisher shall be Installed In all one-and two-family detached dwellings upon change of occupancy. For purposes of this section. “Portable fire extinguisher’ shall mean a portable device, carried and operated by hand, containing an extinguishing agent that can be expelled under pressure for the purpose of suppressing or extinguishing fire, and which is:
1. Listed, labeled, charged and operable;
2. The fire extinguisher must have a valid service tag indicating the extinguisher has been serviced within the past year
 Exception: A new extinguisher (purchased within 6 months) with the original receipt taped to the extinguisher.
4. Rated for residential use consisting of an ABC type, Rated 2A – 10BC or larger;
5. No smaller than a 2 ½ – pound or no larger than a 10-pound rated extinguisher
6. On hangers, or in brackets supplied by the manufacturer;
7. Within 10 feet of the kitchen area, unless otherwise permitted by an enforcing agency;
8. Located with the top of the extinguisher not more than five feet (1.53 meters) above the floor;
9. Visible and in a readily- accessible spot, free from blocking by furniture, storage, equipment and other items;
10. Near a room exit or travel way that provides an escape route to the exterior;
11. Accompanied by an owner’s manual or written information regarding the operation, inspection, and maintenance of the extinguisher: and
12. Installed so the operating instructions shall be clearly visible.
(f) Exception: Portable fire extinguishers shall not be required for seasonal summer units. For purposes of applying this exception, “seasonal summer unit” shall mean a dwelling unit rented for a term of not more than 125 consecutive days for residential purposes by a person having a permanent residence elsewhere, but shall not include use or rental of living quarters by migrant, temporary or seasonal workers in connection with any work or place where work is being performed.

Placement of Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
This diagram is for newer homes, if you have questions contact the fire prevention office