Residential Property Inspections

The Charlestown Fire District conducts inspections for residential occupancies only. These inspections are conducted in regards to smoke and carbon monoxide detector placement concerning home sales and certificates of occupancy. There is a thirty dollar ($30.00) fee for the inspection, due by check at the time of the inspection. If for some reason a second inspection is required there will be no fee increase. For each subsequent inspection after the second, there will be an additional thirty dollar ($30.00) fee. The approval certificate that is issued is valid for no less than one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of issuance. Because of this time limit, if the closing for the property is not held within one hundred twenty (120) days of the inspection, the certificate may not be considered valid at the closing.

To make arrangements for an inspection for a residential home sale or a certificate of occupancy, contact the fire chief at 401-641-1488. It is possible the inspection will take place within a few days of the request but by law it can be a maximum of ten (10) days from the time of the initial request for inspection. The type and placement of the detectors is dependent on the date of issuance of the building permit. To view or download the guide containing this information please follow this link; 2013 Smoke Detector Guidelines.

No device, whether smoke or CO, and regardless if battery or hardwired, can be more than 10 years old. All detectors must be securely mounted as required. It should be noted that in addition to these guidelines the Fire District requires that a CO detector be placed on each living level regardless if there is a designated sleeping area or not. There must also be a CO detector in the basement if it contains a living or recreational area. In homes permitted prior to February 19, 2004 a CO detector is recommended in the basement, but not required, if the basement is used for utility purposes only. All homes permitted after February 20, 2004 must have a hardwired, interconnected CO detector on each level including the basement. Plug-in style CO detectors will not be accepted. CO detectors are not required if the dwelling is totally electric. If any device that can burn a fossil fuel is present, whether it will be used or not, then CO detectors must be placed in the required locations. Detectors that must have a working wifi signal to interconnect with the other detectors will not be accepted.

Commercial Property Inspections

The District does not perform inspections or plan reviews for any type of commercial occupancy, project, or license renewal. Plan reviews or inspections for commercial occupancies must be performed by a certified inspector. The RI State Fire Marshal's office will need to be contacted to make arrangements with one of their inspectors. The Fire Marshal's office can be reached at, 401-889-5555, or through the web site; RI State Fire Marshal.

Tent Inspections

Tent inspections are governed by the RI State Fire Marshal under sections of Chapter 23-28.19 of the RI General Laws. The Charlestown Fire District does not conduct tent inspections. If Chapter 23-28.19 indicates that a tent inspection is needed, or other sections of the law must be met, you must contact the RI State Fire Marshal's office at 401-889-5555. If the Fire Marshal's office determines that a firefighter detail must be present during the use of the tent, the Chief of the Charlestown Fire District must be contacted at 401-641-1488 at least 7 days prior to the event to make arrangements for the paid firefighter detail. To the view the RI General Laws pertaining to the use of tents please click HERE.