FAQs

I’m opening a new business in an old building but not doing any renovations or new construction. Do I need a permit to open?: No, in most cases, opening a new business in an existing building only requires completion of a successful fire safety inspection to open. However, if the new business is a change of occupancy from what previously occupied that space then a permit would be required to ensure code compliance for the new business.

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Fire Safety

1. Are lighted exit signs required in my building?: Generally speaking, lighted exit signs are required to be installed over the exit doors in all buildings. Lighted exit signs are also required to be equipped with battery backup power so that they will remain lighted even after the building’s power supply is lost. In some instances, such as where the path to an exit is obscured or is not clearly visible, more than 1 exit sign may be required to be installed.

2. How many fire extinguishers do I need for my building?: Determining the correct number of fire extinguishers for a building depends primarily on travel distance to reach an extinguisher. The general rule of thumb is that building occupants shall not have to travel more than 75 feet, along normal paths of travel from any point within a building, to reach a fire extinguisher. Additional fire extinguishers may be required in specific areas of a building if there are hazardous processes or materials present.

3. My apartment only has 1 exit door. Is that legal?: Yes, while having more than 1 door is clearly more desirable, it is not a violation of the code if a 2nd door does not exist. In residential settings, including multiple dwellings, bedroom windows are considered a second means of egress from the building.

4. How many smoke alarms do I need for my home? Do they have to be hard-wired or is battery power only acceptable?: Working smoke alarms are required to be installed on each level of the home, including inside each bedroom, outside each bedroom in the immediate vicinity, and in basements and accessible attics.

In most cases smoke alarms may derive their power solely from a battery, but for new construction or for homes undergoing renovations that expose wall framing, the smoke alarms must be hard-wired and inter-connected to each other, and they must be equipped with battery backup power.

5. Do I need to install carbon monoxide alarms in my home if there are no fuel fired appliances present?: If there are no sources of carbon monoxide (CO) within a building and there is no attached garage, the answer is no. However, if there are any fuel fired appliances,such as a gas water heater or oil furnace or if the home has an attached garage, then working CO alarms will be required.

As with smoke alarms, CO alarms may derive their power solely from a battery, unless it is new construction or if renovations expose wall framing. Then they must be hard-wired and inter-connected and equipped with battery backup power.

6. I’m opening a new business in an old building but not doing any renovations or new construction. Do I need a permit to open?: No, in most cases, opening a new business in an existing building only requires completion of a successful fire safety inspection to open. However, if the new business is a change of occupancy from what previously occupied that space then a permit would be required to ensure code compliance for the new business.

7. I bought an old wood stove off the internet. Can I install it in my garage?: No. Wood burning stoves are not allowed to be installed in garages due to the presence of heavier-than-air gasoline fumes. Further, any wood burning stove must be Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) listed and must be installed exactly according to the manufacturer’s installation requirements. Heating appliances that do not carry the UL seal (or equivalent) are not allowed to be installed in any building. Check with our office prior to purchasing any used wood burning stove to see if it meets the minimum requirements for installation.

8. How often does my fire alarm system have to be serviced?: Fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler systems, and portable fire extinguishers must be serviced on an annual basis by a qualified provider. Fire extinguishing systems such as those that protect commercial cooking operations or gasoline pumps must be serviced every 6 months by a qualified provider. Contact our office for a list of companies that provide such services.

9. I am replacing my pellet stove with a newer model. Do I need a permit?: Yes, the installation of any new heating appliance (wood stove, pellet stove, coal stove, gas fire place, etc) triggers the requirement for obtaining a permit prior to installation. Also, the installation must be inspected prior to use of the appliance. This requirement also applies for new chimneys whether they are masonry chimneys constructed on-site or metal factory-built chimneys.

10. Do I have to pay a fine if a fire safety inspection reveals any violations in my building?: No, the purpose of a fire safety inspection is not to penalize anyone. Fire safety inspections are meant to educate and inform. Fines are only levied when a building owner is found guilty in a court of law for refusing to correct violations of the code. However, most people recognize the importance of fire safety and prevention, and virtually all violations are corrected voluntarily without the need for a court appearance.