Fire Safety and Habitability Inspection Application – Residential

• Residential Smoke Detector, Carbon Monoxide Alarm & Portable Fire Extinguisher Inspection
  Required for all new rentals, re-occupancy, and changes of occupancy in all residential dwellings in the Borough. Certificates are valid for 6 months from the date of issue.
  
  Application: Morris Plains Fire Prevention Bureau – Fire Prevention Page
  Contact: Morris Plains Fire Prevention Bureau, 531 Speedwell Ave, Morris Plains, NJ 07950
  Phone: (973) 590-2401 Fax: (973) 590-2402
  Email: mpfp@morrisplainsboro.org


• Habitability Inspection
  Required for all new rental units in a single-family or two‑family zone and for changes of occupancy.
  
  Contact: Zoning Officer, 531 Speedwell Ave, Morris Plains, NJ 07950
  Phone: (973) 538-0325
  Email: Dsalerno@morrisplainsboro.org
  Hours: Tues & Thurs, 9am – 2pm

Inspection Required for(Required)

Resale

Reoccupancy

New rental unit / tenant in single-family zone

Estimated Closing, Reoccupancy, or Moving Date(Required)

PROPERTY INFORMATION (required for rental units in single-family zones)

Block #

Lot #

Year Built

Street Address(Required)

Check Here if this is a rental in a single family home

Rental in single family home

Number of Stories

Basement

with Basement

without Basement

Type of Smoke Alarm(s)

Single Unit(s), Electric / Battery

Multi-Station Interconnected

Low Voltage Central Fire Alarm System

OWNER INFORMATION

Owner Name(Required)

Phone(Required)

Owner's Street Address (if different from above)

City

State

Zip Code

LEASEE INFORMATION (required for rental units in single-family zones)

Leasee Name (required for rental in single family zones)

Number of Occupants

Please enter a number from 0 to 10.

Lease Start Date

Lease Duration

PERSON TO CONTACT FOR INSPECTION

Name of Person to contact for inspection(Required)

Title (if not owner)

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

FEES

Applying For(Required)

Fire Inspection

Certificate of Habitability

Fire Prevention Inspection Fees

More than 4 business days notice prior to occupancy change $85

2- 4 business days notice prior to occupancy change $100

Less than 2 business days notice prior to occupancy change $125

Reinspection Fee for each failed inspection $85

Certificate of Habitability Inspection Fees $50

Required for all new rentals or changes of occupancy in a single-family or two-family home.

Habitability inspection for entire home or up to 2 dwelling units

Total - submit payment prior to inspection.

By submitting this form, I hereby acknowledge, that the information given is correct, and that I am the owner, or duly authorized to act In the owner’s behalf and as such hereby agree to comply with the applicable requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code relating to Residential Smoke Detectors. I also certify that all smoke detectors are listed in accordance with ANSI/UL217; carbon monoxide alarms are listed in accordance with UL-2034. As required by N.J.A.C 5:70-2.3 and Section 11-16 of the Borough of Morris Plains Municipal code, the above referenced single or two family dwelling unit will be inspected for compliance with N.J.A.C 5:70-4.19 and N.J.A.C 5:28, respectively. FAILURE TO COMPLY BEFORE TRANSFER OF PROPERTY TITLE OR RE-OCCUPANCY WILL RESULT IN PENTALITES OF UP TO $500.00 FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE AND $2,000.00 FOR SECOND OFFENSE.

Signature

Submit Save and Continue Later

FEES

More Than 4 Business Days Notice prior to the change in occupant – $85.00
2 to 4 Business Days Notice prior to the change in occupant – $100
Less than 2 Business Days Notice prior to the change in occupant – $125.00
Reinspection Fee Of $80.00 For Each Failed Inspection
Certificate of Habitability $50

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.

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