SANFORD — This community has become the first in the state to qualify under a relatively new law that allows review of some construction plans for fire safety code compliance to be conducted locally.

This means builders and developers can meet a certified inspector in town, on the proposed site if need be, to have their plans reviewed ”“ a required step before construction begins.

Proponents say the new authority gives municipalities that are qualified the ability to work with business owners and developers to get the job done right in an expedient manner. It means that if a question arises or a problem crops up, the local reviewer can inspect the situation and find a safe solution, said Sanford Fire Chief Ray Parent, who sought the designation for the town.

At present, companies and developers have plans inspected by the State Fire Marshal’s office in Augusta, which issues a construction permit ”“ a must before any work can commence and before any local building permits can be granted.

Parent said the title of the original bill, which passed in an amended form, says it all: Sponsored by Rep. Anne Haskell, D-Portland, the bill was called an Act to Streamline the Regulatory Process for Commercial Building Construction Projects.

Earning the designation means a Sanford inspector certified to do the work may review projects of public buildings that, according to the  statute, “constitute a mercantile occupancy over 3,000 square feet, a hotel, a motel or a business occupancy of two or more stories.”

Businesses less than 3,000 square feet do not require state plans review and other types of buildings, like hospitals and nursing homes, fall under the sole purview of the State Fire Marshal’s office.

“This consolidates permit review to a single authority,” said Parent. “If (a community) is qualified and capable, they should be allowed to do it.”

Sanford in July approved the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code, along with the Life Safety Code and the NFPA Code, and has a qualified inspector, Parent said.

Peter Cutrer, the town’s fire marshal for the past three years, is a Certified Fire Plans Examiner, which is conferred by the National Fire Protection Association following a three-month course and a five-hour test, and is also a Certified Fire Inspector. As well, he has been accepted into an advanced fire inspection program.

He joins six others statewide qualified to inspect plans to make sure they are in order. Five of the others work as plans reviewers in the State Fire Marshal’s Office, and sixth is the municipal fire marshal in the city of Bangor, said Parent.

Cutrer once owned his own company where he installed, inspected and maintained fire alarms and previously worked for insurance companies, inspecting sprinklers.

“I liked his credentials,” said Parent, harking back to when he hired Cutrer.

The men explained that the work Cutrer will be doing he essentially already does under Sanford’s own rules and regulations. As an example, he spent 130 hours and performed 101 inspections as workers readied the Walmart store in Sanford for opening a couple of years ago. 

As part of his job as the town’s fire marshal, he performs about 1,000 annual inspections.

Haskell, the bill’s sponsor, said the municipalities can often do the work in a more timely fashion, making a difference to the business owner.

“I congratulate Sanford for stepping up to the plate,” said Haskell.

Local plans review will generate some revenue. Currently, the state charges 5 cents per square foot to perform plans review. The town can charge the same fee, but must send one cent to the state.

State Fire Marshal John Dean opposed the bill. He said his office has full-time staff to do the job, noted plans can be very complicated and said he has concerns someone without experience might miss something ”“ a worry when the topic is life safety codes.

As well, Dean said some municipal codes personnel already call the fire marshal’s office now, looking for help because, he said, they tell his office they’re under pressure to approve projects that don’t meet codes.

“I’m not convinced it is a good idea at all,” said Dean. He added that most municipalities don’t want to do the work because they don’t have the staff to do it.

Parent said he doesn’t disagree, but notes Sanford is capable and has the staff and qualifications to do the job.

The Department of Public Safety approved Sanford’s application and the Town Council signed off on the measure last week.

— Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.