527 CMR 4.00 Form 1 Permit Application
The legal citation for rules and regulations requiring a permit and inspection from the Head of the Fire Department originates in Massachusetts General Law Chapter 148 section 10. The specific requirement for oil burner permits and inspection is found in Board of Fire Prevention Regulations 527 CMR 4.00 “Oil Burning Equipment.”
This form can be found at the Department of Fire Services website at: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/dfs/osfm/forms/fp056.pdf
Board of Fire Prevention Regulation 527 CMR 4.03 requires the filing of an application (Form 1 minus combustion test info) prior to commencing work. The Form 1 application is expected to contain information regarding:
- Electrical Permit Number
- Property owner information and installation address
- Heating unit type – Power Vent, Direct Vent, AFUE, etc.
- Number of tanks, their size and location on the property.
If the heating unit is a Power or Direct Vent, a copy of the manufacture’s installation and test information is requested. Incomplete submittal information may result in a delay processing applications. Upon completion of the work a certificate of completion (Form 1 with combustion test info) shall be forwarded to the Plymouth Fire Department Fire Prevention Division thus
triggering the inspection. The exception is the emergency replacement of oil burning equipment. The application (Form 1) must then be made on the first business day following the installation.
Electrical Permits
The legal citation for rules and regulations requiring an electrical permit and inspection from the Electrical Inspector originates in Massachusetts General Law Chapter 143 section 3L.
“No person shall install for hire any electrical wiring or fixtures subject to this section without first or within five days after commencing the work giving notice to the inspector of wires…”
“Any person installing for hire electrical wiring or fixtures subject to this section shall notify the inspector of wires in writing upon the completion of the work.”
Any person licensed as an electrician under M.G.L. c. 141 may do any electrical work in connection with the alteration, repair or installation of oil burning equipment without being certified as an oil burner technician.
The Plymouth Fire Department will not process 527 CMR 4.00 Form 1 Oil Burning Equipment applications without an Electrical Permit number from Plymouth Inspectional Services. A 527 CMR 4.00 Form 1 application for replacement of fuel oil storage tanks does not require an Electrical Permit.
Inspection Appointments
Obtaining an inspection of oil burning equipment can be accomplished by contacting Plymouth Fire Department Fire Prevention Division at 26 Court Street. The Fire Prevention Office is open for business Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Tuesday 7:30 – 6:30 p.m. and Friday 7:30 am to 12:00 pm.
Inspections are performed from 8 am to 4:30 pm Tuesday through Friday by the Fire Prevention Lieutenant. An inspection must be requested 10 business days in advance. Appointment requests can be made at time of application, by phone (508) 747-1620 extension 10297, or in person at 26 Court Street, Plymouth Town Hall Fire Prevention Division.
Oil burning equipment installed in new or altered properties will be inspected in conjunction with other fire protection features as part of an occupancy inspection.
Power Vent Oil Fired Equipment
Vent Outlet Height
527 CMR 4.04 (d) 8 discusses the “vent outlet height shall terminate at least 12 inches from grade.” Number 2 of that section states “must be…installed in accordance with…manufactures installation instructions.” The Plymouth Fire Department Fire Prevention Division has interpreted the often found qualifier in manufactures installation instructions “Vent height is subject to local authority having jurisdiction in consideration of snow fall, leaves and other debris accumulations” as justification for requiring a 48 z Page 3 February 26, 2008 inch minimum vent height from grade. Deviation from this interpretation requires approval from the Plymouth Fire Department Fire Prevention Division.
Testing of Safety Features
Property owners, their agents or proxies are required to arrange for a Certified Oil Burner Technician to be present at the time of inspection for Direct and Power Vented oil burning equipment. Fire Department personnel will witness the test. Testing must conform to manufactures and 527 CMR 4.00 requirements. Each installed safety device must be activated and functional.
Inspection of Other Types of Oil Burning Equipment
Property owners, their agents or proxies are required to arrange for Fire Department personnel to conduct an inspection of the oil burning equipment installation. A visual inspection will be performed in accordance with criteria from 527 CMR 4.00 and manufacture’s instructions.
Should the inspection reveal the need for operation of safety devices, the inspection will cease and a new appointment scheduled. The homeowner, their agent or proxy shall arrange for a Massachusetts Certified Oil Burner Technician to be present. Testing must conform to manufactures and 527 CMR 4.00 requirements. Each installed safety device must be activated and functional.
Inspection of New Above Ground Fuel Oil Storage Tanks
Property owners, their agents or proxies are required to arrange for Fire Department personnel to conduct an inspection of the Above Ground Fuel Oil Storage Tank installation. A visual inspection will be performed in accordance with criteria from 527 CMR 4.00 and manufacture’s instructions.
Waste Oil Tanks and Heaters
Installation of waste oil tanks and heaters require additional permits from both the Fire Department and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Oil burning equipment applications (Form 1) must be accompanied by a copy of the DEP or EPA identification number and BWP HW21 Class A Recycling license.
In addition to an approved Form 1, a waste oil storage permit is required from the Fire Department. Processing of permit applications may be delayed until this information is provided.
House Numbers
Massachusetts General Law Chapter 148 section 59 requires that house numbers are properly displayed on the home and are visible from the street. Numbers shall be a minimum of 4 inches tall in a contrasting color. If not visible from the street, signage is required at street level and at way points as necessary until numbers on home are visible.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors (MGL Chpt 26F 1/2 & 527 CMR 31)
Residences altered or built after January 1, 2008, hardwire or combination carbon monoxide detectors. Residences altered or built prior to January 1, 2008, may use battery, plug-in with battery
back-up, hardwire or combination carbon monoxide detectors.
527 CMR 31 requires carbon monoxide detectors on each level of residential properties. Detectors are required within 10 feet of doorway to bedrooms but not inside bedrooms. Attic spaces accessible from a doorway must have a carbon monoxide detector. Attic spaces accessed by pull-down stairs and scuttle holes are exempt.
Detectors must be installed in accordance with manufactures instructions.