Effective January, 1988, the Gloucester Township Fire Departments Bureau of Fire Prevention became the sole agent for the smoke detector inspections in all one and two family dwellings in Gloucester Township. In April of 2003, the State passed laws mandating Carbon Monoxide Detectors in the areas of the bedrooms. Additionally, in November of 2005, State Legislation again passed a law requiring the installation of a fire extinguisher in the kitchen area of the dfwelling.  These inspections are required under State Law N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3, N.J.A.C. 5:70-4.19, N.J.A.C. 52:27D-198.1 and Municipal Ordinance Chapter 10A, Section II.

Another Municipal Ordinance requires house numbers on the front of the property, in contrasting colors and 4 inches high.

As a property owner of a one or two family home, the State Law and Local Ordinance will require you to have your property inspected for smoke detector/s, carbon monoxide detector/s (CO), and a fire extinguisher compliance under the following conditions:

1. If you sell your dwelling which includes a single family home, condo or townhouse, and there is a change of ownership.
2. If you own a single family home, condo or townhouse and use it as a rental property, you must get a certification each time you change tenants.

The National Fire Protection Associations standard on Household Fire Warning Equipment, minimum protection, requires operating smoke detectors outside each bedroom and on each level of the dwelling. If all the bedrooms are on one level and off a hallway, then a smoke detector can be installed in the hallway. A carbon monoxide detector can also be installed in that hallway. However, if separate bedrooms are located in other portions of the dwelling then additional smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors will be required.  A fire extinguisher no smaller than 2A:10B:C and no larger than 10lbs. is required for the kitchen area.

Because smoke and combustible gases rise, a smoke detector should be mounted high on a wall or on a ceiling. This high mounting will allow a smoke detector to detect the first traces of smoke. Smoke detectors that are mounted on walls should be 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling. Smoke detectors installed on the ceiling should be at least 4 inches from the walls or corners. Smoke detectors should be no more than 10 feet from bedroom areas. For the resale inspection and certification, there should be one smoke detector on each level of the dwelling, including the basement. Please refer to the diagrams below.

There are two types of carbon monoxide detectors available. Electric and battery. Because the carbon monoxide detector must be located in the area of the bedrooms, an electric detector can be installed if your dwelling has an electrical outlet in the hallway. If not, then the battery detector can be installed on the ceiling or wall as per the manufactures recommendations. Also, as the smoke detectors, if there are any remotely located bedrooms located in other areas of the dwelling or on other levels, then additional carbon monoxide detectors will be needed.

The brackets supplied by the manufacturer must be used to hang the extingusiher no more than 5ft. above the floor and within 10ft. of the kitchen area leading to a travel way providing an escape to the exterior of the dwelling.  Access to the fire extinguisher must not be hindered or blocked by furniture, storage equipment, or other items.  It must be visible and installed so the maintenance and operation instructions are clearly readable.

 

If the dwelling was originally constructed with electric smoke detectors then those electric detectors must be present during this inspection. If the property was constructed prior to 1977, then battery operated detectors are acceptable. If the property has an electric smoke detector on the second floor, then that detector must be working, then battery operated detectors can be installed on the first floor and basement.

To have your property inspected for the change of ownership, please stop by the Gloucester Twp. Construction Office located isnide the Municipal Building at 1261 Chews Landing Rd. Laurel Springs, N.J.  08021 and complete an application at least 30 days before settlement.  There is a construction inspection application that must be completed at this time also for all homes sold and that inspection is done by the building code official.  That office is open Monday thru Firday from 8am to 5:45pm.  The cost for the smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguisher certification requirement is $25.00  If you have a change of tenant, only the smoke detector/carbon monoxide/fire extinguisher certification is required, not a construction inspection. To contact the Contruction Office call 856-228-4000.  To contact any fire district use the numbers below. 

District #1 : Fire Official Harry Woods, 856-939-1177 

Districts #2 & #3 : Fire Official Ken Young, 856-939-2090
District #4 : Fire Official Keith Kemery, 856-227-7731
District #5 : Fire Official Joe Rodano, 856-228-0678
District #6 : Fire Official Michael Brezee, 856-435-0700