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New Gas Detector Law - effective January 1, 2022 (State Fire Marshall's Office)

The information below summarizes the general requirements currently in law for the installation, of fuel gas detectors in Maine. For more information, you can view the fuel gas detector law online at: Title 25, §2469: If you need specific information, please call our office at (207) 626-3870.

These ARE NOT the same device as a Carbon Monoxide detector and will not replace the need for those within buildings in Maine. Fuel gas detectors may be powered by any of the following methods, battery, plugged into an electrical outlet or hard wired. Regardless of the power source, the units must be maintained and installed per the manufacturer’s instructions. Fuel gas detectors will only be required to be placed within the room where a propane, natural gas or liquified petroleum gas fueled appliance is located.

This law becomes effective January 1, 2022.

Fuel gas detector required.  The building owner shall install, or cause to be installed, in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements at least one approved fuel gas detector in every room containing an appliance fueled by propane, natural gas or any liquified petroleum gas in:

  1. Each unit in any building of multifamily occupancy
  2. A fraternity house, sorority house or dormitory that is affiliated with an educational facility
  3. A children's home, emergency children's shelter, children's residential care facility, shelter for homeless children or specialized children's
  4. A hotel, motel or inn
  5. A mixed use occupancy that contains a dwelling unit
  6. A business occupancy
  7. A mercantile occupancy
  8. An assembly occupancy

** Required detectors may be battery operated, plugged into an electrical outlet or hardwired.

Residential rental units

In a unit listed above, under the terms of a rental agreement or under a month to month tenancy, at the time of each occupancy the landlord shall provide fuel gas detectors if they aren’t already present, and they must be in working condition. After notification of deficiencies, in writing, by the tenant, the landlord shall repair or replace the fuel gas detector.

Tenants shall keep the fuel gas detectors in working condition, test them periodically to make sure they work, and refrain from disabling them.

Transfer (sale or exchange)

A person who, after January 1, 2022, acquires by sale or exchange a building listed above shall install fuel gas detectors within 30 days of acquisition or occupancy of the building, whichever is later, if fuel gas detectors  are not already present, and shall certify at the closing of the transaction that fuel gas detectors will be installed. This certification must be signed and dated by the person acquiring the building. A fuel gas detector must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements at the time of installation in each area containing an appliance fueled by propane, natural gas or liquified petroleum gas. A person may not have a claim for relief against a property owner, a property purchaser, an authorized agent of a property owner or purchaser, a person in possession of real property, a closing agent or a lender for any damages resulting from the operation, maintenance or effectiveness of a fuel gas detector. Violation of this subsection does not create a defect in title.

Code
The Fire Chief is responsible for ensuring that public, commercial, and multi-family properties in town comply with the Life Safety Code, a set of national standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and adopted by the town (see Article 6 of the town Fire Department Ordinance).   Property owners are responsible for complying with this code, copies of which are available at the town office and the fire station. Enforcement is handled by the town Code Enforcement Officer and State Fire Marshall.

The Chief's goal is to work cooperatively with property owners to maximize safety. Yearly inspections are conducted, and if unsafe conditions are found the first step is to give property owners an opportunity to correct the hazard.

If you have any questions about the life safety code or your responsibilities as a property owner please the Camden Fire Department 207-236-7950.


Burn Permits
Camden doesn't allow open burning without a permit issued by the fire department. You must obtain the permit on the same day you plan to burn, as weather conditions are an important safety consideration.  All permits will obtained online at www.wardensreport.com.

In the interest of public safety, permits are not issued when the fire danger is determined to be "extreme" or "very high" by the Maine Forest Service, and only a limited number of permits are issued when the danger is "high." The Maine Forest Service posts current fire hazard conditions daily on their website.

Plan your burn when vegetation is damp and wind is calm. Burning when the ground is snow covered, during a light drizzle, and/or just before precipitation is forecast is ideal. Typically November-March offer the safest conditions for open burning, but even during winter vegetation can become dangerously dry when snow cover is sparse

When you receive a burn permit, you agree to follow a specific set of safe practices. Please review these carefully before burning:

  • You must be at least 18 years of age to obtain an Open Burning Permit.
  • It is illegal to burn without a permit in the state of Maine.
  • You must print and sign your permit
  • A hard copy of the permit must be in hand at all times during open burning
  • Burn Permits will be issued only on Class I & II days as determined by the Maine Forest Service.
  • Winds must be less than 10 mph in order to use your Burn Permit.
  • If conditions for the permit change (such as the number of people, weather or wind conditions) while burning, it is the responsibility of the permit holder to extinguish the fire.
  • If the town receives any type of complaint about the burning, we are obligated to investigate and may potentially extinguish fire.  The fire you kindle with the burn permit may not create a nuisance to others. 
  • You may also be responsible to reimburse the Town and other entities for the cost of suppressing any fire.
  • All fires must be extinguished on the permitted date and by the end time listed on the permit.
  • You may not start a fire with any type of accelerant.
  • You must own the property of the burn location or have written consent of the owner

State Regulations Covering Open Burning:
State of Maine Statute on Open Burning (Chapter 807 §9325)
Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection Statute on Open Burning (Chapter 102)
Maine Backyard Burning Law (Chapter 807)



 


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PO Box 1207
29 Elm Street
Camden ME  04843
Hours of Operation:
Mon -Fri 7:30 am to 3:30 pm