Permit and Inspection Process
Permits are required so that the Maynard Fire Department as the authority having jurisdiction knows that work is being conducted and can inspect to ensure work being done meets states or NFPA codes. Some examples where a permit from the fire department is required would be, oil or gas burners, oil tank removals, oil or gas tank installations, sprinkler system installations or renovations, fire alarm system installation, or renovation. In some cases, a set of plans and a scope of work narrative are required such as with the installation of a sprinkler system or fire alarm system. If a building is scheduled for demolition the fire department needs to sign off on the permit from the building department and inspect to ensure there are no hazards present before demolition can take place. Inspections of most installation or removal work are required and a representative of the installation company is expected to be on hand for that inspection (Chapter 40, Town of Maynard By-Laws). Larger projects may require a site plan review to ensure the fire department will have adequate access in case of an emergency. A permit can be obtained from this site under forms. Permits can be emailed in or sent via US postal service or dropped off. Payment is required before a permit is issued. Payment by check is preferred, but we will accept cash (not through the mail), we cannot currently accept credit cards.
Larger projects may also require a plans box to be installed at a convenient location (Chapter 40, Town of Maynard By-Laws). In buildings requiring a fire department connection (FDC) to feed a sprinkler or standpipe system, the FDC needs to be clearly marked at the connection about six feet from grade and provide a locking cover that can be obtained through https://www.knoxbox.com/ (Chapter 40, Town of Maynard By-Laws). In any building where a sprinkler system is required, all risers and standpipes shall be mapped and marked with the corresponding shut-off valve and location of the said valve (Chapter 40, Town of Maynard By-Laws).
Final inspections for larger occupancies and or multifamily building swill require a final inspection before a certificate of occupancy is issued. With slight variations we will be looking at the following during the inspection process:
- Fire Alarm System up and running
- All detectors in common areas to be tested
- All sprinkler functions, tamper, and flow for each outlet, on each floor tested and reporting back to the fire alarm system
- Fire Department Connection (FDC) properly labeled and a Knox FDC cover in place
- All smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in each unit working properly and correctly spaced
- Fire Alarm System properly reporting to a communications center, if you are connecting to the municipal system we require a Warn AES Radio Box with eight zones programmed as follows:
- Alarm-General
- Trouble
- Supervisory (duct smokes, etc.)
- Water flow
- First and second-floor devices
- Third and fourth-floor devices
- Open
- Open
- Fire extinguishers mounted and properly tagged as inspected and working
- All keys and access cards working, including elevator keys
- All signage for the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP), electrical room, and sprinkler room are in place
- Plans box in the foyer (maybe)
- Puff tests on the kitchen suppression systems
- Building properly numbered on the outside
Connecting to the municipal system will require ordering a Warn AES Radio Box from Easton Electronics.
WARN System Radio Box Order Form
Every commercial occupancy or multi-family residential property consisting of three or more dwelling units are subject to an annual fire safety inspection, subsequent follow-up inspections, or inspection if and when a complaint is filed with the fire department regarding the safety of the building. It is the building owner’s responsibility to ensure the fire department has up to date contact information for all commercial or multifamily residential units with three dwellings or more (Chapter 40, Town of Maynard By-Laws).