Frequently Asked Questions

The Village of Palatine Fire Prevention Division enforces the following codes, this is not an exhaustive list and if you should have specific questions with regards to the code the Fire Prevention Division is more than happy to assist you by phone at 847-359-9029: 

• International Building Code - 2021 Edition (With Amendments)
• International Fire Code - 2021 Edition (With Amendments)
• Ch. 6 - Village of Palatine Code of Ordinances (Building Codes and Regulations)
• Ch. 7 - Village of Palatine Code of Ordinances (Fire Prevention and Protection)

Inspection, testing, and maintenance on your fire and life safety systems is critical to maintaining system operability and reliability. Records of system inspections, tests, and maintenance are required to be maintained on the premises and provided to the fire code official. All compliant and non-compliant fire and life safety system test reports are required to be sent to the Fire Prevention Division electronically by your service provider via The Compliance Engine's online system at www.thecomplianceengine.com. If you have questions regarding this requirement please contact the Fire Prevention Division at 847-359-9029. If you encounter technical issues with the The Compliance Engine contact Brycer support at 855-279-2371.

The Fire Prevention Division conducts periodic inspections in all buildings and business types (except single-family and two-family homes) within the Village of Palatine. The purpose of these inspections is to ensure a reasonable level of life safety and protection of property from the hazards of fire, explosion, or dangerous conditions in new and existing buildings, structures, and premises, and to provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations. All violations must be corrected within thirty (30) days of the initial inspection. Those conditions determined to be imminent life safety hazards must be corrected immediately. Fees related to the Annual Fire and Life Safety Inspections shall be included in the Village’s Fee Schedule. Fees are only assessed when it is necessary for an inspector to conduct a 3rd or 4th re-inspection. If violations remain outstanding beyond the 4th inspection, the matter will then enter the citation process.

Information from www.swancc.org/smoke-detectors: 

Ionization smoke detectors contain small amounts of radioactive materials. Never disassemble a smoke detector. Intact detectors pose little threat, but can be a health hazard if broken open. By federal regulation, all smoke detectors contain the mail-back address to send used units with radioactive chips. The address of the supplier may be listed in the product warranty or user's manual. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission suggests checking the label on the detector for disposal options, but residents may safely discard individual units in their regular garbage.

How to dispose my old smoke alarms.

For First Alert or BRK: call First Alert at 800-323-9005.

For Other Brands: Curie Environmental in New Mexico will take any smoke detector back for a fee. For specific instructions on how to send the detector, see curieservices.com.

Lighting Resources, LLC
(866) 375-7340
Greenwood, IN
lightingresourcesinc.com
Recycling kits are available for smoke detectors, batteries, electronic waste and mercury devices.

Inspections