INSPECTION AND PLAN REVIEW FEES

        Every request for an inspection whether it be Smoke/Carbon Monoxide or requests for plan or fire alarm system reviews are completed under the provisions of the RI Fire Code:

All residential smoke and carbon monoxide detector resale inspection, fee of $30.

• New buildings, additions, alterations, structures, etc. not covered by the above mentioned are subject to the following fee figures based upon cost of construction:

Plan Review Fee Schedule

New Buildings, Additions, Alterations, etc (One Family Residential)

• Valued at $ 500. or Less                                        Review Fee of $ 25.00

• Valued over $ 500.00 but not over $ 1000.            Review Fee of  $ 35.00

• Valued over $1000.00 but not over $ 2000.           Review Fee of  $ 45.00

• Valued over $ 2000.                                              Review Fee of  $ 60.00

Multi-family, Commercial, Industrial, etc.

• Valued Over $2000 but not over $ 500,000 and not more than 10,000 Square feet                        Review fee of $ 60.00 +

                * (plus $1 per thousand or fraction thereof over $ 2000)

• Valued over $  500,000 or more than 10,000 Square feet                                                               Review fee of $ 2000.00 +

               * (plus $1 per thousand or fraction thereof over $ 500,000)

SMOKE DETECTOR PLACEMENT

One, Two and Three Family Dwellings

• As of February 20, 2004 al new residential units require hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms with battery back up in the following areas:
  Outside each bedroom area and inside each bedroom
  On each additional level including basements.
• In addition, interconnected heat detector(s) shall be installed in al integral or attached garages in dwelling units permitted or constructed after February 20, 2004.
• Wireless detectors shall be allowed provided that they are monitored by an approved system or panel and provided that such system meets all the audible requirements.
• While not required, it is highly recommended to place an additional smoke alarm at the top of the basement stairs.
• Existing construction permitted after June 1976 are required to maintain the previously required smoke alarms and they should be hardwired and interconnected. These detectors shall be located outside the bedroom areas and on each level.
• If the above units do not have the previously required hard-wired systems they shall be allowed to have battery operated alarms. Battery operated alarms shall not replace hard-wired alarms.
• Three family dwellings shall have hardwired, interconnected smoke alarms installed by July 1, 2008. Interconnected in common areas, separate from within each separate dwelling unit. (Also hard-wired)
• All other existing construction shall require smoke alarms outside each bedroom area and on each level. These will be permitted to be battery operated.

One, Two, and Three Family Dwellings Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors

• All new residential (including apartments and condominiums) require hard-wired, interconnected CO alarms with battery back up outside the bedroom areas.
• In addition, the local authority having jurisdiction may require additional smoke or CO coverage in rooms or living areas having pull out sofas or other means of sleeping arrangements if in his/her judgement the room may be used for sleeping quarters on a regular or intermittent basis.
• Any dwelling permitted after January 1, 2002 shall be required to have hardwired CO alarms with battery backup.
• All other existing construction shall be allowed to have battery operated CO alarms or plug in units. Plug in units must be restrained.
• Exception: Dwellings that do not contain any fuel buring appliances, a fireplace or an attached or integrated garage are exempt from CO requirements. If any of these items are introduced later, then detection is required.

State Fire Marshal's Web Site:
http://www.fire-marshal.ri.gov

Fire Safety Code Web Site:
http://www.fsc.ri.gov

References; Rhode Island Uniform Fire Code 1 2003 Edition; Rhode Island Life Safety Code 101 2003 Edition; NFPA 72 2002 Edition; NFPA 720 2003 Edition.

Placement of Smoke and CO Alarms

• Ceiling mounted: At least 4 inches from any adjoining wall surface
• Wall mounted: Between 4 and 12 inches from the ceiling
• Peaked or sloped ceilings: Within 36 inches or the peak or high side of the slope, but no closer than 4 inches vertically or from an adjoining wall surface.
• Detectors shall not be installed within 36 inches of heating or cooling register, the tip of a ceiling paddle fan, a kitchen door or a bathroom door containing a tub or shower.
• Detectors within a 20 foot horizontal path of a cooking appliance shall be equipped with an alarm-silencing means or be of the photo electric type.
• Where stairs lead to other occupied levels, a smoke alarm or smoke detector shall be located so that smoke rising in the stairway cannot be prevented from reaching the smoke alarm or smoke detector by an intervening door or obstruction.
• For stairways leading up from a basement, smoke alarms or smoke detectors shall be located on the basement ceiling near the entry to the stairs.
• Near the first bedroom door in a hallway closet to the living area
• Carbon Monoxide detectors shall be installed as per manufacturer's recommendations outside each sleeping area.

Apartments/Townhouses/Condominiums

• Each dwelling unit shall comply with all of the requirements of one and two family dwellings for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
• In addition, every building meeting this definition having between four and seven units shall be required to have a local fire alarm system that will include detection in all common areas, pull stations, etc; and occupant notification.
• Every building meeting this definition having more than seven units shall be required to have a municipally connected fire alarm system.

Exception:
 

1. Buildings that have units with suitable fire resistance separation may be exempt from fire alarm system requirements.

2. Buildings that have central heating plants that do not transfer heat via ductwork, and that have suitable separation from the rest of the building, and where dwelling units do not have any other fuel burning appliances, fireplaces or attached or integral garages, then they may be exempt from CO requirements.

Contact your local Fire Marshal for Compliance Information

Other Facts and Responsibilities

• All detectors and devices shall be installed according to manufacturer's recommendations.
• Smoke alarms shall not remain in service longer than 10 years from the date of installation unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.
• It shall be the responsibility of the owner to maintain in operable condition smoke and carbon monoxide detection systems, installed as required pursuant to this chapter, and the owner shall make operable within seven (7) days after being notified by certified mail by the occupant and/or enforcement official, any inoperable system.
• The cost of inspection ($30.00) shall be borne by the seller.
• Owners of existing residential properties, previously required to install smoke detectors, shall maintain those detectors in good operating condition.
• The above smoke and carbon monoxide detectors may be installed as either separate or combination units approved by the AHJ.
• The fire department for the community in which the dwelling is located should inspect the smoke and carbon monoxide detector systems of the dwelling within ten (10) days of a request from the owner.
• Once received smoke alarm and CO certificates are good for 60 days
• It is recommended that you have your inspection scheduled at least 2 weeks before your closing to allow time for any necessary corrections.

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