By Nick Norlen, Staff Writer
The Princeton Township Committee introduced an ordinance Monday that would add the requirement of carbon monoxide detectors to the township’s existing smoke detector mandate.
Township Fire Official Ron Dilapo, who recommended the ordinance, said it’s intended to bring the township in line with the state’s uniform fire code.
According to the ordinance, carbon monoxide alarms would be required to be installed within 10 feet of each sleeping area. However, inspections for compliance would only be carried out by the fire official when homes change owners, Mr. Dilapo said.
”When there’s a sale of a residence, or a change of occupancy, they are required to have the smoke detectors and the carbon monoxide detectors checked to see that they’re working and in the proper location,” he said.
The application fee for alarm certification would be $60 if received 10 or more business days prior to the change of occupancy, $95 if received four to nine business days prior and $150 if received three or fewer days prior.
Residents of the township’s affordable housing units would pay reduced fees: $35 for applications received 10 or more business days prior to the change of occupancy, $70 for four to nine days, and $125 for those received three or fewer days prior.
In the past, inspections could be carried out by other certified individuals, including architects and real estate agents, but now the inspections will be limited to the fire official, Mr. Dilapo said, noting that the previous method resulted in devices that were “not working properly or not in place.”
The Township Committee will hold a public hearing on the ordinance on March 10.
