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Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Inspections
The Chelmsford Fire Department inspects all homes for sale in the Town of Chelmsford per MGL Ch. 148 Secs, 26F and 26F 1/2.
Please use the CFD Online Permitting System to schedule a smoke detector inspection. To apply for a smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector inspection:
- Visit the Town of Chelmsford online permitting system;
- If you don't already have an account on the Town of Chelmsford permitting system, create a new account. Otherwise,
- Click New Application at the top right of the page;
- Click on the Fire Extinguisher icon;
- Select Smoke/CO Detector Inspection from the list of permit choices; and
- Fill out the required information.
Click here to apply for a smoke detector inspection
Did you know that...
Some facts about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- When fire strikes, you may have less than one minute to safely get out of the building?
- 3,000 people die each year in fires in the United States?
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is poisonous, odorless, colorless, and tasteless and can be fatal if inhaled?
- Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are required in every residential building in Massachusetts?
- In order to sell your home in Massachusetts, you are required to obtain a smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector certificate from your local fire department?
- Smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector inspections can be applied for on our quick and easy to use online permitting website!
Click here for the CFD online permitting system!
Inspection Information
- An inspection for smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are generally required to sell your home.
- Inspections can ONLY be scheduled online.
- We perform inspections for the sale of a home on Tuesday and Thursday between 1PM and 3PM only. We are not able to guarantee a time during this slot, so a responsible adult (18+) needs to be on site for the inspection to take place.
- The cost of inspection is based on the number of units to be inspected -Single family or unit $50, Two Family or units $100, three to six units $150, and seven units and greater $500.
- Please refer to the chart below for information regarding placement of smoke detectors. Detectors must generally be placed on a ceiling although there are some exceptions to this. Call the Fire Prevention Office at (978) 251-4288 if you have questions. you may also refer to the guidelines from the State Fire Marshal's Office in this document
- Please request all inspections at least 24-48 hours in advance. Inspection Fees must be paid before the inspection will be scheduled. Inspection requests received within 24 hours of the requested inspection will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
| Massachusetts Guidelines for Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year built or substantially modified (per building permit issue date) | Before 1975 | 1975 - 8/27/1997 | 8/27/1997 - 9/1/2008 | 9/1/2008 - 2/1/2011 | 2/1/2011 - Present |
| Smoke Alarm Power Supply | Battery or Hardwired | Hardwired, Interconnected | Hardwired, Interconnected w/ battery backup | Hardwired, interconnected w/ battery backup | Hardwired, interconnected w/battery backup |
| Type of Smoke Alarm Technology (Photoelectric or Ionization) | |||||
| On the same level, if a required detector is located more than 20 feet from a kitchen or full bathroom doorway, it shall be: | Photoelectric with a sealed 10-year nonrechargeable, nonreplaceable battery | Photoelectric OR Ionization | Photoelectric OR Ionization | Photoelectric OR Dual Detector* | Photoelectric ONLY |
| On the same level, if a required detector is located less than 20 feet from a kitchen or full bathroom doorway, it shall be: | Photoelectric with a sealed 10-year nonrechargeable, nonreplaceable battery | Photoelectric OR Ionization | Photoelectric ONLY | Photoelectric ONLY | Photoelectric ONLY |
| Smoke Alarm Placement | |||||
| On every habitable level & including the basement level on the CEILING; at the base of each stairway leading to an occupied floor above | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke |
| On CEILING outside each sleeping area in hallway | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke |
| Inside every bedroom | Not Required | Not Required | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke |
| Finished attic (habitable) | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke |
| Garage (Attached) | Not Required | Not Required | Not Required | Heat Detector | Heat Detector |
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm Power Supply and Placement | |||||
| Battery, or plug in with battery backup | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Not Allowed | Not Allowed |
| Hardwired, interconnected w/ battery backup | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Required | Required |
| ALARM PLACEMENT - A CO alarm shall be located on each habitable level, including finished portions of basements and attics. A CO alarm shall be placed in the hallway outside each separate sleeping area (where bedrooms are located, NO FARTHER THAN 10 FEET FROM ANY BEDROOM DOOR. | |||||
All detectors must be less than 10 years old. One smoke alarm is necessary for every 1,200 square feet of area or portion thereof, per floor.
COMBINATION SMOKE & CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS MUST HAVE BOTH A TONE AND A SIMULATED VOICE FEATURE. BATTERY POWERED DETECTORS WHERE ALLOWED SHALL HAVE A 10 YEAR SEALED BATTERY
*Dual detectors are a single smoke detector that uses both photoelectric and ionization technology.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Information
Chelmsford Fire Prevention Office
Chelmsford Fire Prevention
50 Billerica Road
Chelmsford, MA 01824
Town Hall Room LLO5