FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
Fire Official Jonathan Ellis
430 Park Avenue
(908) 322-6700 ext 1-501 • FAX (908) 322-4413

This Bureau is responsible for enforcing the requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code within the Township of Scotch Plains. Other duties include fire lane violations, handling of daily complaints, court appearances, and year round public education programs.

The Bureau is headed by the Fire Official and also employs two part-time fire inspectors.  All of our inspectors are licensed by the State of New Jersey. These licenses require mandatory state certified refresher training on an annual basis.

This Bureau has developed and implemented a plan that is based on educating owners and tenants as to the violations existing at their properties while cooperatively attempting to achieve compliance. This plan has allowed our inspectors to complete their duties while adapting to the diversified needs of our residents and property owners.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I am Selling my home, how can I obtain smoke detector certification?

Simple, Homeowners or their agents can pickup an application form in the Building Department. The Building Department will coordinate the scheduling of inspections with the Fire prevention Bureau.  Inspections are generally conducted on Mondays between 10 AM and 12 PM for a fee of $50.00.

When is the best time to contact someone at the Bureau office?

Our Inspectors are in the field most of the time. However, telephone voice mail may be left at any time to contact the Bureau.

I have an older type fire extinguisher, how can I determine if it still works?

Most fire extinguishers have a pressure gauge at the top or near the handle. A check of the gauge is a good place to start. If the pressure gauge reads below the proper pressure, it will need to be recharged or replaced.

For CO2 (Carbon Dioxide), the extinguisher needs to be checked by weight. Right below the charging handle the cylinder weight is marked with the weight empty and full. The CO2 extinguisher must be within 10% of the full weight to be considered satisfactory.

Do I need to place smoke detectors in my home?

Knowing when your home was constructed dictates the type and number of smoke detectors to be placed. As an example:

• If your home was constructed prior to 1977 and have no renovations or additions, battery-operated smoke detectors need to be placed on each level and/or within 10 ft of the bedrooms.  If your home was constructed after 1977 but prior to 1990, electrically operated detectors, interconnected with battery back up are required on each level.
• If your home was constructed after 1990, detectors need to be installed in each bedroom, on each level, interconnected with battery back up. Each detector is to be electrically powered.

Are Smoke Detectors Required?

YES!! Without a doubt, they are the simplest, cheapest method to provide protection. In Scotch Plains, local ordinance requires that all dwellings have active smoke detectors. Additional information about smoke detectors can be found on the "Duties" page link on the left side menu.
Click here for an application (Rev 03/06)

Carbon Monoxide Detectors, are they worth buying?

YES !! Carbon Monoxide is created not just from heating units or furnaces, it may be created from other sources, such as malfunctioning appliances. Like smoke detectors they are designed to alert the occupant of select dangers that can not be detected by the human nose. They both provide early warning of a potential life threatening condition. The Bureau highly recommends their use and installation. Carbon Monoxide detectors are required and will be inspected at the time a home is sold or a new renter will move in. The inspection is to be performed prior to closing or the new tenant moving in. Contact the Bureau for more information.

Do I need a Fire Safety Permit?

If you are not sure, call our office. A fire safety permit list is available in the Bureau’s office.

ADDRESS POSTING
All homes and businesses are required to have proper address numbering (street) placed on the structure. From an emergency response perspective, they are critical to rapidly identifying your property during times of emergency. Placing your address number so that it can be seen from the roadway is extremely helpful. Numbers should be contrasting in color to the background. Numerals must be a minimum of 4 inches in height. Reflective type numbering is recommended. Numbering may not be script. From an emergency service standpoint, our job is to provide rapid, efficient and effective service. As part of that service, we may on some occasions be asked to respond to your home or business. During emergencies, very valuable time can be lost if we cannot find the proper address. Address numbers not posted can lead to very tragic results. We ask that all homeowners, tenants, business owners to clearly post their proper address number. Ensure that they are large enough to be viewed from the roadway. Ensure that they are contrasting in color and if you have a home or business away from the roadway, place an additional sign at the roadway edge. They should be posted on Both Sides of your mailbox, even if you live on a dead end street.  Numerals may not be placed on the mailbox post or on any door of the dwelling.  Help us to Help You. - Post.

Propane Gas Grills
The New Jersey Uniform Fire Code identifies propane gas grills as a serious hazard when they are placed on apartment balconies. This specific rule only applies to gas grills. Regular charcoal grill are not affected by this rule. Specifically, gas grills shall not be used under building overhangs, under cover of any building and not within five feet of the building. The rule does not prohibit the use, only the area of use.  Tenants should check their lease to determine if charcoal grills are prohibited.

CARBON MONOXIDE
Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of incomplete combustion. Its sources include:
· malfunctioning appliances:

Other sources of CO include blocked chimney flues, cooking appliances used for heating purposes, vehicle exhaust, and charcoal grills used in the home, camper, garage or other unventilated areas. When appliances malfunction or are inadequately ventilated, the amount of CO in the air can rise to a level that causes injury or death. Symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to those of the flu and can include dizziness, fatigue, headache and nausea. Since CO is colorless and odorless, most individuals never realize that they are being poisoned. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) points out that the first line of defense against carbon monoxide is to make sure that all appliances are properly installed and ventilated. This means that appliances and home heating systems (including chimneys and flues) should be inspected each year by a qualified inspector.
Recently, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) developed new construction and test standards (Standard 2034) for CO detectors. You should purchase models that meet these new requirements. The new detectors should include a test/reset button; it should have the words "carbon monoxide" stamped/labeled on the case, which insures they are not mistaken as smoke detectors; and they are less sensitive to prevent false alarms from occurring.
This is your second line of defense. When properly installed and maintained these detectors can provide an early warning before carbon monoxide can build to a dangerous level.

Although these devices look similar to existing smoke detectors, they are by no means a substitute. Therefore, residents should not replace one device with the other. To learn more about these lifesaving devices, contact the Bureau of Fire Prevention at 609-921-8020.

Seasonal Information
Fall & Winter
Winter weather presents many hazards to all of us. Most can be effectively dealt with by some good common sense and careful planning.
When was the last time you had your heating system checked ?

OK, OK good on that one.
What about your chimney ?
With the heating season, we have a tenacity to close ourselves inside our homes. While we mostly check our heating systems, the same care of our chimney(s) needs to be looked at as well. Sometimes chimney can become blocked by birds nest, bees, and other critters. They may only partial block the opening. Some times they do break, and or collapse. A good visual inspection of the Chimney should be conducted by qualified and reputable groups that do that kind of work.
While preventive maintenance is the first line of defense, the 2nd line is having a working Carbon Monoxide detector. Have you installed yours?

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