Fire Prevention

Fire Prevention Office

Fire Prevention Overview
Captain David Grunes and Lieutenant Charles Stone are assigned to the fire prevention division. They are primarily charged with fire code enforcement, the over sight of fire safety inspections, construction plan review and inspections and the permitting of a variety of fire protection and safety items. Secondary responsibilities include fire education and fire cause and origin investigations.

Fees
Please click here to see the complete permit fee schedule.

Construction Plan Review Process
Three sets of plans will be submitted to the Bedford Building Department. The Building Official will transmit one set of plans to the Fire Department for review.

Specifically, for the Fire Department Review we request the following information:

A code summary
A detailed fire protection narrative as required by 780 CMR 9.03
A full set of fire protection plans
For F, H, M, and S use groups, an “Owners Certificate” (NFPA 13) that describes the hazard classifications, storage location/type, and quantities of flammable combustibles and storage commodities

Fire Protection System Permitting Process
The installation or modification of any fire protection system requires a permit from the Fire Department.

The application should include the following:

Shop drawings with applicants name and professional license number (engineer’s stamp as required)
Brief written description of work
Equipment submittals
Applicable calculations
Copy of Fire Protection Narrative (as outlined in 780 CMR 9)
Owner’s Certificate for fire suppression systems (as outlined in NFPA 13)

Propane Installation Permits
Site Plan Sketch showing location of tank(s) in relation to closest property line and openings in structures

Cutting/Welding Permits
Prior to the issuance of the permit, the applicant shall provide written authorization signed by the property owner or his agent describing the scope and specific locations where the work is to be performed.

The Fire Department requires a paid fire detail for all hotwork performed indoors and/or on the exterior structure of all occupied buildings, and for cutting/burning operations in buildings under demolition.

A fire detail is not required for hotwork performed in unoccupied buildings under construction, however, a fire watch is required to be provided by the welding contractor.

Flammable Storage Permits
Prior to the issuance of the permit, the applicant must provide an inventory of all flammable or combustibles stored on site.

The inventory document shall include the following information:

Chemical/Product Name

Maximum Quantity Gallons/Pounds

Flashpoint

Classification

Storage Vessel

Location Where Stored/Used

Example:

Chemical/Product Name

Maximum Quantity Gallons/Pounds

Flashpoint

Classification

Storage Vessel

Location where used/stored

Methanol

5 Gal

54F

Class 1B

Glass – 1 Gal

Engineering Lab

Open Burning Permits
Applications for open burning permits are available online here or at the Fire Department administration office.

All Other Permits
Follow the guidelines outlined in the applicable section Massachusetts Fire Prevention Code 527.

Code Enforcement and Inspections
The Fire Prevention Office conducts the following inspections:

Annual inspections of all buildings holding flammable storage permits
Inspections of all new oil burner/tank installations
New propane installations
Bi-annual inspections of all tank trucks registered in town
Removal of any underground storage tank
Final Fire Department inspections of new and renovated construction projects

The fire prevention office coordinates quarterly and semi-annual inspections conducted by the suppression groups on the following type of facilities:

Schools
Churches
Public Buildings
Healthcare facilities
High Hazard Occupancies (buildings with relatively large amounts of flammable or hazardous materials)

The fire prevention officers provide code enforcement support for these inspections.

Fire Investigation
Fire Prevention is also charged with investigating all fires which occur in our community, including; house fires, industrial fires, car fires and forest fires. Bedford uses a team approach to fire investigation. The team consists of the Fire Prevention Officers and a Detective Sergeant and Detective from the Bedford Police Department. For suspicious and/or large fires we also team with members from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The Arson Watch Reward Program provides up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction and can be reached at (800) 682-9229.