New Jersey requires all residential and commercial buildings to have a fire inspection completed. This requirement is necessary during new construction as well as before resale of property. Any New Jersey resident can call upon a qualified fire inspector to comply with this state regulation.

FIre Inspection Times

Every structure in the state of New Jersey with the exception of family dwellings is required to have fire inspections done on an annual basis. These fire inspection are necessary for family dwellings when occupancy changes, such as with the sale of a residential home. All new construction is required to have an initial inspection done before the building can be opened for business or sold to a new occupant.

Residential Requirements

Residential buildings must have smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and a fire extinguisher. The smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors must be located on each level of the dwelling. The detectors shall be located between sleeping areas in the hallway or, if the sleeping areas and living areas are on different levels, a detector in the living area shall be located in a place where it can detect smoke or carbon monoxide throughout the floor. Detectors should not be placed in kitchens, bathrooms or other areas where smoke or steam is commonly present.

Commercial Requirements

The number of detectors and fire extinguishers is determined by the building design and square footage of the commercial building. Each commercial property must have the furnace or heating units installed by a qualified heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) contractor who is licensed by the state of New Jersey. Flammable or hazardous materials must be stored in a separate building or designated area away from workers or business operations. A sprinkler system must be installed in every commercial building with the number of heads determined by the square footage of the building as well as the number of rooms in the building.