Print
Share page with AddThis

FAQ

  1. How many smoke alarms do I need in my home?
    The answer to this question varies depending on when your home was built. The minimum requirement for existing homes is one smoke alarm on every level including the basement, and one smoke alarm located immediately outside of the bedroom(s). Newer homes are required to have additional smoke alarms in each bedroom. Whether your smoke alarms need to be hard-wired (AC powered) or battery operated (DC powered), and whether they need to be interconnected is also dependent on when your home was built. We encourage you to contact our office with specific questions. You should also have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm on every level of your home.
     
  2. Do I need a permit to have a campfire/chiminea/fire pit?
    No. The town’s open burning ordinance allows for small outdoor fires that do not exceed 3 feet in diameter. Most small fire pits, “campfires,” chimineas and fires for cooking are acceptable. Tools for extinguishing the fire (ex. a bucket of water, garden hose, etc.) should be readily available at all times. You should not have an outdoor fire during times of high fire danger. Any fire that is deemed a nuisance (ex. smoke drifting onto a neighboring property) must be extinguished, and open burning of brush, rubbish, and other debris is not allowed without a specially obtained permit from the CT DEEP. Visit our Open Burning page for the full town ordinance.
     
  3. I received an Inspection Notice in the mail or on my front door. What do I need to do?
    If you received an Inspection Notice from our office, your property is likely due for a required fire safety inspection. Please contact our office to verify and schedule an inspection. We can answer any questions you might have.
     
  4. How do I obtain a copy of a fire report?
    Copies of Fire Origin and Cause (fire investigation) reports can be obtained by contacting our office. Copies of Fire Incident Reports must be obtained from the South Windsor Fire Department (https://www.southwindsorfire.org/).
     
  5. I live in a privately owned condo. Why does my condo need to be inspected?
    Regardless of ownership or real estate terminology, many condominiums and townhouses are defined as Apartment buildings by the Connecticut Fire Safety Code. This classification is determined by construction features (3 or more dwelling units, lack of fire barriers between units, common spaces, etc.), not by ownership. Local fire marshals are required by state statute to inspect all buildings classified as Apartment buildings.
     
  6. I want to make alterations to my building. Do I need to submit plans or drawings?
    Yes. Any construction project requiring a building permit – with the exception of one and two-family residential buildings – requires a separate plan review by the Fire Marshal’s Office. When applying for a building permit at Town Hall, a separate set of plans must be submitted specifically for the Fire Marshal. These should include a complete set of building plans along with any fire alarm drawings and fire protection system drawings. Digital (PDF) plans/drawings are preferred.
     
  7. What are your plan review fees?
    The fee for Fire Marshal plan review is calculated at $7.00 per $1,000 of estimated construction cost.
     
  8. Do I need a permit for a tent?
    Yes. Any tents for more than 100 occupants require a permit and inspection by the Fire Marshal’s Office.
     
  9. What are your permit fees?
    Blasting:  $60.00
    Tents (100 or more occupants):  $50.00
    Pyrotechnics/Special Effects:  $50.00
    Special events, carnivals, fairs:  $50.00
    **Fees do not include State of Connecticut mandated fees or charges**