Fire Marshal

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935 Main Street
Watertown, CT 06795
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Ph: 860.945.5220
Fax: 860.945.5223
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Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Frequently Asked Questions

I have an underground storage tank that I no longer use. What do I need to remove it?
A permit from the building department is required for the removal of an underground storage tank. This removal must be observed by the Fire Marshal
What are the requirements for smoke detector placement and installation?
Smoke Detectors-Smoke alarms shall be installed in the following locations:

  1. In each sleeping room.
  2. Outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
  3. On each additional story of the dwelling, including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.

When more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit the alarm devices shall be interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.

All smoke alarms shall be listed and installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and the household fire warning equipment provisions of NFPA 72.

When interior alterations, repairs or additions requiring a permit occur, the individual dwelling unit shall be provided with smoke alarms located as required for new dwellings.

Exceptions:

  1. The smoke detectors may be battery operated and are not required to be interconnected when other remodeling considerations do not require the removal of the appropriate wall and ceiling coverings to facilitate concealed interconnected wiring.
  2. Alterations to the exterior surfaces of dwellings including, but not limited to re-roofing, residing, window replacement and the construction of decks without roofs are exempt from the requirements of this section.