Fire Prevention

    The State of Massachusetts mandates all existing residential buildings be equipped with a working fire detection system. New buildings shall conform to all current Massachusetts and City of Quincy regulations. The following information lists the basic requirements needed for adequate fire protection.

    Single family houses: Single family houses shall be minimally equipped with individual battery operated smoke detectors. Single family houses? smoke detectors must be mounted on the ceiling. They must be placed in the basement at the foot of the cellar stairs, on the first floor at the base of any stairway, and outside any sleeping areas, on the second floor (if applicable) outside any sleeping area and in an attic that is accessible by a permanent stairway (pull down stairways are not considered permanent.)

    Two family houses: Two family houses shall have the same requirements as single family houses, but in addition must have battery operated smoke detectors in all common areas, including stairways, on the ceiling on each landing outside the entrance of each unit. If a permanent wall from floor to ceiling divides the basement, all separate basement areas must be protected by smoke detectors.

    Houses with three to five units: Houses with three to five units shall have the same requirements as single family houses, but in addition must have a hard wired smoke detector system (an electrically installed smoke detector system where all smoke detectors are connected and sound when one detector in the system is activated) in all common areas.

    Houses with six or more units: Information for houses with six or more units is available by contacting the Quincy Fire Alarm Maintenance Division at 617-376-1021.

OIL BURNER INSTALLATIONS AND INSPECTIONS

All oil burner installations and significant modifications and repairs must be performed by an oil burner technician licensed by the State of Massachusetts. Upon the installation of a new oil burner in your home, the licensed oil burner technician will apply for a permit from the Fire Prevention bureau. After installation, the Fire Prevention bureau will contact the homeowner to arrange a date and time for an inspection. Upon passing the inspection, the homeowner will receive a certificate of inspection from the Fire Prevention bureau.

The following fees are in accordance with City Ordinance, 95-084*2

Oil Burner Installation Permit $25.00

Oil Burner Inspection $35.00

Total Installation Fee $60.00

Tanks up to 275 gallons:

Removal $50
Installation $50

Tanks greater than 250 gallons:

Removal $100.00
Installation $100.00

HOME SALE INSPECTION

   Per City of Quincy ordinance, all houses must have street number secured to the house in a prominent place to pass inspection.

    Upon the sale of a house, Massachusetts State Law requires a certificate from the local fire department certifying the house has been inspected by the fire department and is in compliance with State and local requirements. The certificate is valid for 30 days after the date of the inspection and must be presented at the closing of the sale of the house.

    To obtain a smoke detector certificate, contact the Quincy Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau at 617-376-1015 and request an inspection for the sale of your house. You will be asked for your name, phone number and address of the house. Fire Prevention will then schedule an agreeable date for the inspection (please allow adequate time for appointment prior to closing) and give you any information you may need. The inspection will be done between 10:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. on the date of the inspection.

Smoke Detectors locations should be in compliance with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 148 Section 26B.

For 1-5 family dwellings

Smoke detectors should be located on the ceiling of each occupied floor. 3,4, and 5 family dwellings must have hard wired detectors in all common hallways as well as the basement, and they must all be interconnected.

Basement Level: At the bottom of the floor joist at the foot of the stairs.
First Level: On the ceiling near the stairs to the second floor.
Second Level: On the ceiling at the top of the stairs.
Attic: If the attic is not usually occupied a smoke detector is reccomended, but not required.
The batteries must sound the alarm in each detector.

Upon passing the inspection, a certificate of compliance will be available at the Fire Prevention Bureau located at fire Headquarters.

The following fees shall apply:

Condominium $50.00
Single family house $50.00
Two family house $60.00
Three family house $70.00
Four family house $80.00
Five family house $90.00

The certificate shall be available immediately upon the house passing inspection at the Fire Prevention Bureau located at Quincy Fire Headquarters, 40 Quincy Ave, on the second floor. The seller (or their representative) shall present a check or money order (no cash accepted) payable to the City of Quincy for the proper amount listed above. Upon payment, you will be furnished with a certificate valid for 30 days from the date of the inspection. The certificate is a legal document accepted by all agencies at the closing of the sale of a house