Bureau of Fire Prevention
400 Poplar Avenue
Linwood, New Jersey 08221
Application for a Certificate of Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Alarm Compliance (4/1/2025)
Application for a Fire Permits, ie; Food Trucks, Bon Fires, Open Flames (1/15/25)
Fire Prevention Business Pre-Inspection Check List
Fire Watch Form (9/2/26)
Common Violations for Fire Inspections
Annual fire inspections will be conducted as provided in the City of Linwood Code Chapter 152, and the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code. Registered properties include the following; doctor offices, non-owner-occupied dwellings, restaurants, retail stores, commercial buildings and the like. Please use this check list, as a basic guideline, before scheduling your annual fire inspection to avoid violations and ensure compliance;
Access and Address
- Fire apparatus access roads shall not be obstructed in any manner, including parking of vehicles. Signs may be required to maintain access. (aka. Fire Lane - No Parking).
- b. All buildings shall have approved numbers or addresses placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. Numbers or alphabet letters shall be a minimum of 4" high and be of a contrasting color with their background.
Aisles, Exits and Stairs
- Aisles, exits, and stairs must be maintained open, continuous and unobstructed.
- Exit signs and Emergency Lights are required. (Backup power supply required)
- Exit signs shall be illuminated at all times. (self-luminous, externally or internally illuminated)
- Exit Doors shall not be locked, chained, bolted, barred, latched or otherwise rendered operable while the building is occupied.
- Storage is NOT PERMITTED in stairway enclosures or under stairwells.
- Fire doors shall not be blocked or obstructed.
Smoke Alarms
- Required outside (within 10’) of all sleeping rooms/areas
- Required on every level of the building (including attics)
- Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for additional guidance for the placement of smoke alarms
- ALL SMOKE ALARMS MUST BE INSTALLED AND IN WORKING ORDER AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION
- Hardwired smoke alarms – must be replaced if older than 10-years after the date of manufacture (can be located on the back of smoke alarms)
- Battery smoke alarms – must be the 10-year sealed battery type smoke alarms
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
- a. Are required (as listed below) in any building where there are fuel burning appliances (i.e. natural or LP gas heat, cooking, oil heat, fireplaces, etc.). It is also required if there is an attached garage to the building.
- Required outside (within 10’) of each sleeping room/area
- Required on every level of the building
Fire Extinguishers
- Must be a minimum size 2A:10BC, be a new (current year) extinguisher or certified (properly tagged by a licensed fire protection agent) for each cooking area(s). It must be hung in a visible view of an exit or within a properly labeled cabinet.
Fire Protextion Systems
If your property has the following type of systems they are required to be inspected and certified annually or per NFPA requirements.
All reports must be on site at the time of the inspection:
- Automatic Fire Alarm Systems
- Automatic Fire Suppression Systems (sprinkler Systems)
- Stand-pipe Systems
- Commercial Cooking Systems (6-month inspections)
Key Lock Boxes (Knox Box)
Certain properties are required under city ordinance to have Lock Boxes installed. If required you must receive an ordering form from the Fire Official. Must be installed in an approved location by the Fire Official. The office can be reached at 609-926-7953.
Electical Hazards
The following electrical hazards are frequently observed and not approved:
- Extension cords without internal circuit protection or power strips
- Exposed or hanging wiring
- Open junction boxes or wire splices
- Space Heaters must be plugged into a direct receptacle
Signage
The following doors, buildings, areas and equipment must be labeled properly:
- Street address numbers clearly visible on building
- Apartment/unit doors clearly labeled on exterior doors
- Exterior utility meters (gas & electric)
- Doors on rooms containing Fire Protection Equipment (alarms, sprinklers, etc.)
- Exterior Standpipes and or Fire Department Connections
Kitchen and Laundry Rooms
- a. Vents free of obstructions (lint, debris)
- Gas shut-off valves required and must be operable
- Hood exhaust systems properly cleaned and documented (report kept on site)
- Lint Logs kept on Premises.
Heaters and Boilers
- Must be properly maintained and serviced
- 3’ clearance of combustibles
Bar-B-Que Grillsa nd LPG (Propane) Tanks
- All grills or any other open flame cooking devices are not allowed on any combustible decks or porches
- No LPG tanks can be stored inside any unit, room, space of garage of a building
- All grills must be at least 10’ away from any exterior wall, nor under any overhangs, awnings or canopies.
Many of the above listed recommendations are frequently encountered violations and certainly, does not address the entire New Jersey Uniform Fire Code or the International Fire Code, they are simply guidance to commonly found violations. If these recommendations are addressed prior to the inspector’s visit it will expedite your inspection process.
If there are any questions feel free to contact the office at 609-926-7953, If nobody is in the office or if you call after 4:00PM, Please leave a message and the office will return your phone call in a timely manner. We look forward to working with you.
Accessibility Statement