Frequently Asked Questions

The new mill rate for the October 1, 2024 grand list is 33.75 on Real Estate and Personal Property; Motor Vehicle mill rate is 32.46. These mill rates become effective on bills due July 1, 2025. This means that for every $1,000 in assessed real estate and personal property value you will pay $33.75 and motor vehicle, you will pay $32.46 in taxes.

All real estate and business personal property tax bills (over $100) are due in two installments; first installment due July 1, 2025 and would be considered late with interest if received or postmarked after August 1, 2025. The second installment is due January 1, 2026 and would be considered late with interest if received or postmarked after February 2, 2026. 

Regular motor vehicle tax bills are due July 1, 2025 and are due in one installment and would be considered late with interest if received or postmarked after August 1, 2025.

Due to Legislation changes, you may receive a Supplemental Motor Vehicle tax bill in July or in January-this bill is for a vehicle purchased after the assessment date of October 1.  It is prorated from the month of purchase to September 30th.  Please check your bill for the applicable month code.

To avoid long lines, the most convenient and efficient way to pay is by check sent via the USPS. Mail to Tax Collector, City of Bristol, PO Box 1040, Bristol, CT  06011-1040.  Bristol Tax Office has moved back to City Hall located at, 111 North Main St, Bristol.  Hours are Monday thru Thursday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Fridays 8:00 am to 1:30 pm.

You can also pay at any M & T Bank Branch at no charge, please have your tax bill and payment of cash or check available.  From July 1, 2025 through August 1, 2025 and from January 2, 2026 through February 2, 2026 you may pay only Current non adjusted bills at a M & T Bank branch; branch does not need to be in Bristol.  There is no fee for this service. Please have your Current tax bill coupon along with payment in the form of cash or check.     

Taxpayers can also pay by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express) or by ACH online from home at www.bristolct.gov. There is an additional fee of 2.95% if paying by credit/debit card; $1.50 ACH (check).  Other options include Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal (fees apply). Our office does accept cash payment. We do have restrictions of what we will accept for payment if your tax bill is delinquent six months or older (cash or certified funds).

When making payment please include all applicable bill stubs with your payment.  This will ensure timely processing of your payment.  Thank you.

We only accept cash, money orders, cashier checks, business checks, or personal checks as forms of payment at the counter in the tax office. We do not accept credit or debit card payment at the counter.  You may pay by MasterCard, Visa or ACH from the comfort of your home online at www.bristolct.gov.  You may pay current non adjusted tax bills during the collection months of July and January at a M & T Bank Branch; branch does not have to be in Bristol.  You MUST bring the original bill and cash or check for payment.  Delinquent motor vehicle taxes that are at least six months old must be paid in cash, certified check or money order.

All Motor Vehicle, Motor Vehicle Supplemental and Personal Property delinquent taxes have been referred to a Collection Agency:  NCC (Nationwide Credit Corporation).  Please contact them directly at 571-458-1207 to discuss payment plans and/or to make a payment in full.  A collection fee has been incurred.   

Go to the Main page by clicking the Home Button on top of this page, under Citizen Help Center box, Pay online, select tax payments, enter last name (space) first name, click IRS payment records for 2025, then hit Search, on the next page place a check mark in the boxes that you want, hit VIEW IRS box. This will give you a listing of taxes paid in 2025.

Your cancelled check will be your receipt. If an alternate receipt is desired, send the entire bill (including the taxpayer copy just as it was mailed to you) and a self addressed, stamped envelope with your payment. We will date stamp “paid” on your taxpayer copy and mail it back to you. On the second payment in January, again mail us the taxpayer copy along with the second payment due coupon and we will stamp the taxpayer copy for the second time and mail it back to you.Please retain the stamped copy for your records. This may be needed when filing state and government taxes each year.

Tax payments must be received or US Postal Service postmarked by August 1 (first installment) or February 2 (second installment) to avoid the accrual of interest. If a payment is received and is postmarked after August 1, it will immediately be subject to 3% interest (1.5% for the months of July, August). Interest will then continue to accrue at a rate of 1.5% per month (18% annually) and you will be billed for the balance due. The same would be true with the second payment of real estate and personal property along with the Motor Vehicle Supplemental taxes if received or postmarked after August 1, 2025 or February 2, 2026. The interest will be added back to January and 3% interest will be added immediately on February 3, 2026.

When taxes are not paid in full for each installment by the last day to pay, by state law, it becomes the duty of the collector to proceed with collection enforcement measures, as prescribed by state statute.  It is important to note that failure to receive a bill for any reason will not invalidate the tax and/or the interest penalty per CT State Statute Sec. 12-130.

Real Estate:  In accordance with Sec. 12-173 liens will be placed on all outstanding real estate taxes.  These liens will be placed on the City of Bristol Land Records once they become delinquent.  Delinquent real estate taxes are also subject to further collection methods including foreclosure.

Motor Vehicle:  All delinquent motor vehicle taxes will be reported to DMV; this will hold you up from registering or renewing and all taxes in your name must be paid in full before being electronically released during the nightly reporting.  THERE WILL BE NO IMMEDIATE RELEASES.  Unpaid motor vehicle taxes will also be reported to a collection agency.

Personal Property (Business):  UCC Liens will be filed with the Secretary of State on all unpaid personal property taxes and will be reported to a collection agency.

Building permits and health licenses and permits may be denied or revoked if taxes are not current.

No. The tax collector does not have the authority to waive interest of any kind for any reason. No exceptions will be made. This is per State Statute 12-146. As owners of property, as registered drivers or as business owners it is your responsibility to know what you have that is taxable and when it is due to the city.

If the mailing address is incorrect on your real estate or personal property bill, please contact the Assessor’s Office at (860)-584-6240. If the mailing address is incorrect on your motor vehicle tax bill, please correct it on the registration for that vehicle and any other vehicle registrations at the CT Department of Motor Vehicles.

Pay your real estate taxes on time. Real estate tax bills for property with an unpaid balance of any amount after the last day to pay in February will have a lien filed on the land records in the City Clerk's Office. This will become a permanent town record. Delinquent real estate taxes can be paid with a personal check but any liens involved will only be released after payment in full and 15 business days have passed.

Pay your motor vehicle taxes on time. In an attempt to collect outstanding motor vehicle taxes owed, the City may contract with outside vendors which will provide an additional means for the city to enforce collections by performing daily sweeps of the city to find tax scofflaws and reporting delinquencies to Collection Agencies.  Additional fees will be incurred.  Any delinquent payments made shall be in the form of cash, money order or bank check in person at the counter. Credit card payments are only accepted online, a processing fee will be charged by Peoples Bank. No personal checks will be accepted.

No.  If you pay delinquent motor vehicle tax bills online or in person, you will NOT be able to register/renew registration at CT DMV for up to 48 to 72 hours from the time of payment.  An electronic payment report is sent to DMV at the end of each business day listing all taxpayers that are cleared to register.  Please plan accordingly. 

For a vehicle registered after the assessment date of October 1st, a bill is created and will be sent and become due in July or the following January based on Public Act 24-1. The bill is prorated from the month of registration to September 30th. The following July, a bill for the full year will be issued. 

An applicant must be 65 years of age and/or 100% Social Security disabled by December 31st of the previous calendar year. The income limits are $45,200, for a single person and $55,100 for a married couple.

An application for the Homeowners Tax Relief Program must be filed between February 1st and May 15th of the calendar year following the October 1st Grand List date for which tax relief is sought. An application for the Renters Program must be filed between April 1st and September 30th of each calendar year for which tax relief is sought.

• All owners of businesses, occupations, farmers and professionals
• Owners of non-Connecticut registered motor vehicles
• Owners of horses, ponies and thoroughbreds
• Lessors (owners of property being leased to an entity within the city)

The Bristol municipal conveyance tax is one half percent (0.005%). The residential conveyance tax rate for the State of Connecticut is three quarters percent (0.0075%). The fee to record most documents on the land records is $70 for the first page and $5 for each additional page or if it is a MERS document $160. Property transfers reportable to the State require a $2 surcharge. For additional land recording fees, please contact the Town Clerk’s office at (860) 584-6200 ext. 0.

If you are conducting business in Connecticut under any designation, name or style, corporate or otherwise, or an assumed name other than your real name, you must file a trade name certificate in the town where the business is being transacted. For additional information on how to file a trade name certificate in Bristol, please access the Town Clerk at (860) 584-6200. There may be additional State of Connecticut business licensing and registration required for a new business. For additional information please access the State of Connecticut business webpage. 

If you are selling food or carrying goods or merchandise for sale in Bristol you must obtain a peddler’s license from the Police Department. Detailed information regarding the requirements, exemptions, and insurance requirements for a peddler’s license can be accessed on the Police Department's page.

You must file a foreclosure registration with the Town Clerk’s Office. The form and instructions can be accessed at the Town Clerk’s Office, 111 North Main Street. The fee to file the registration is $70 and payable by cash or check only.

The regular City Council meeting is held the second Tuesday of each month, except when that date is a holiday or election. Special City Council meetings are scheduled as necessary with at least 24 hours notice to the public, excluding weekends and holidays. Please reference the city calendar for dates and times of all city board meetings.

It depends upon the type of business (manufacturing, distribution, research, or retail), the stage of development (in business or a start-up), and what the needs are (relocation, new construction, renovation, and so on), but there are several common forms of assistance. These include tax abatements, grants, and referrals to loan providers. The city can combine local assistance programs with state programs. Click here to learn more.

Business planning, counseling, and loans may be available. There are a number of state and regional agencies to help businesses get going. Click here to learn more.

Prime industrial property is available in several areas throughout the City. Visit https://bristolallheart.com/doing-business-2/available-properties/.

Bristol’s Enterprise Zone is a geographic area generally found downtown and is bounded by South Street, Bellevue Ave., Maple Street, North Street (Route 6), and West Street (Route 69). The zone includes most of or all of Main Street, North Main Street, Center Street, Church Street, Riverside Avenue, West Street, Park Street, Valley Street, Race Street, and Summer Street. New manufacturers locating in the Zone may be eligible for 80% property tax abatement for 5 years. Other users such as retail and residential who are expanding the tax base may be entitled to a freeze on assessments on a declining scale for seven years. Corporations may also be eligible for income tax credits of up to 25% for 10 years for locating in the zone. Bristol also has related programs such as the Qualified Manufacturing Plant, Bio-Science Zone, and the Urban Jobs Program that can assist qualified companies that are expanding.

Click here for additional Enterprise Zone information

Every five years the City works with Bristol residents, community organizations, business organizations and other groups to develop a 5-Year Consolidated Plan. The Plan documents housing and community development needs, outlines strategies to address those needs, and identifies priorities for the use of annual federal allocations of CDBG funds. The City of Bristol 2010-2015 Consolidated Plan, and the updated Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice are documents available on this website. Based on the Five-Year Plan, the city develops an Annual Action Plan that lists the specific projects to be undertaken during the program year. The Annual Action Plan is also available online. There is a lengthy citizen participation process in developing the Five-Year and Annual Plans. All meetings and hearings are open to the public and posted at a variety of locations including the CDBG page of this website. At the close of the public comment period, the City Council must approve the Plans before they are submitted to HUD.

• Housing Rehabilitation
• Public Services
• Target Area – West End Neighborhood
• Public Housing Modernization
• Public Facilities
• Economic Development

Applications are generally available in December and due in January each year. Notices of funding availability are published in the Bristol Press and posted at the Bristol Public Library. Notices are also e-mailed to numerous potential applicants. Names and addresses can be added to the mailing list at any time during the year by contacting the ECD office at 860-584-6185.

City departments, non-for-profit organizations including incorporated neighborhood associations and housing programs may apply. Individual citizens or families are not eligible for direct CDBG funds, but ECD does have a Housing Rehabilitation Program. Individuals and families may also get assistance from organizations that are CDBG-funded.

Bristol residents who own and occupy their home, and meet income and other guidelines may qualify. For multi-family dwellings, the owner must live in one of the (4-maximum) units. An application is available at the ECD, and can be mailed if requested. An ECD staff person can assist in completing the applications and will make an inspection before coming to a decision on the application. Any work done or expenses made before the grant decision will not be covered. 

Federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability. In addition, State of Connecticut law includes marital status (except an unmarried unrelated man and woman), sexual orientation, age (except minors), lawful source of income, and gender identity or expression. If you have been trying to buy or rent a home or apartment and you believe your rights have been violated, you can call the Bristol Fair Housing Officer Stephen Bynum, Division of Community Services at (860) 314-4690. The CT Fair Housing Center website is also a good source of information.

The city’s grants staff look for and apply for grants for city projects that the city cannot pay for with taxpayer revenue. All applications for grant funding are for internal projects sponsored by city departments, with the exception of projects sponsored by the Bristol Board of Education. Applications for grants for the Bristol Board of Education, individuals, private for-profit organizations, and private nonprofit organizations cannot be made by city grants staff.

In certain cases, Yes. The ECD administers the Residential Rehabilitation Program, funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program provides 50% grants, in most cases up to $10,000, to income-eligible homeowners who reside in the subject property. Projects to address fire and building code upgrades may be eligible for grant funding, including roof work, structural repairs, window replacements, electrical upgrades, and more. Contact the Economic and Community Development office at 860-584-6185 to learn more.

The keeping of a horse, sheep, cows or similar livestock that is not park of a farm is allowed if the lot area is at least two acres in size. For each additional animal, a additional one-third acre is required. A maximum of five such animals are allowed.

The keeping of of ducks, geese, chickens, pigeons, or similar small fowl is allowed provided the total is no greater than 12. No commercial enterprise shall be operated.  

As the permitting system is on-line, a permit can be applied for at any time. 

To register a complaint regarding the condition of a property, call our main number (860) 584-6215. You may also contact the zoning enforcement officer or building official via email. See the Staff Directory for details. An anonymous complaint cannot be accepted.

When a residential property in Bristol has been condemned upon inspection by a governmental agency, such as the Health Department or Building Department, the residents residing lawfully in the property may be eligible for cash assistance. The assistance covers only the cost of the differential between the rent or mortgage that was being paid and the new rent. The new residence must meet building and health codes and pass an inspection. An application for assistance is to be completed at the Community Services office. There is a time limit and a financial cap on the assistance.

According to state mandate, the City of Bristol is to store the household goods left behind after the eviction occurs. A fee is charged daily for the storage of the items. Items that are not claimed by the evicted person within 15 days may be sold by the city at a public auction to recover any costs the city may have incurred.

• Information and Referral
• Family Service Needs Assessment
• Individual and Family Counseling
• Outreach Support Services
• Advocacy, Service Coordination, and Case Management
• Positive Youth Development Groups
• Educational Support Groups
• Youth Employment Training
• Cultural Enrichment Programs
• Adventure-based and Experiential Education

• Community Needs Assessment
• Community Education and Involvement
• Resource and Program Development
• Advocacy

Stephen Bynum, Youth and Community Services Supervisor, is the fair housing officer for the City of Bristol. Information, such as tenant’s rights and responsibilities is available at the Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services Office at 51 High Street or by contacting stephenbynum@bristolct.gov.

• Tuesday, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
• Wednesday, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm / 6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
• Thursday, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Yes. The front desk officer will roll your fingerprints at any time for job applications or other needs where fingerprints are required. For local residents, the cost is $10 per person. For non-residents, the cost is $50 per person.

Please refer to specific bid documents.  Many of our bids and RFP's can be emailed to Purchasing@bristolct.gov .

Openings are posted on this website's Employment tab and in the Human Resources Department, City Hall, 111 N. Main Street, 2nd floor, Bristol, CT 06010. Openings are typically advertised online at CTHires.com and Indeed.com as well as other local community organizations. Additional advertising sources may be used depending on the position. Positions are generally open for a specific period of time with a midnight deadline on the closing date for applications. Please refer to the Employment page for complete and current information.

A review of application materials begins after the closing date. The selection process may include written testing, computer testing, oral interview or any combination of these. Information about Police Officer and Firefighter testing may be found at the applicable tabs on the left side of this page. Candidates invited for testing or interview may be contacted by phone or email*. Those not invited for testing or interview will receive e-mail notification from the Personnel Department during or at the conclusion of the process regarding their status; however, there can be a significant length of time from the date of initial application to the date that such notification is sent. Applications for advertised vacancies will be considered for that recruitment period only. Applications for continuously recruited positions will be retained until the next vacancy in that position occurs. *All e-mail communication is sent from mailbot@applitrack.com. Depending on your e-mail settings, you may need to add it to your "Allowed Senders" list or it may be delivered to your junk mail folder.

Most seasonal opportunities are in the Park and Recreation Department and Youth Services. For information on seasonal Park & Recreation positions, go to bristolrec.com.  For information on seasonal employment in Youth Services, please call 860-314-4690.  Contact the Personnel Department at (860) 584-6175 for the most current information about seasonal employment.

Now there's an app for that! Download the Recycle Coach app (on your smart phone or tablet) and you can sign up to check your schedule and even get reminders sent to you. The Public Works Department can also let you know the date for your next recycle collection. We also have recycle reminder calendars available. Please call us at (860) 584-6125. You may also look up your collection schedule online.

The city has compost and sand available during the spring and fall at the Dog Pound on Vincent P. Kelly Road. You can call the City Yard (860-584-7791) to check availability.

You can review the city's Official Zoning Map to determine the zone in which your property is located and the Zoning Regulations to identify the uses that are permitted in that zone.

Zoning Regulations and Maps

Some business activities conducted from a residence are considered home-based businesses and as such may be permitted as a use incidental to the residence. Section V.A.11. of the city's Zoning Regulations outlines the provisions for home-based businesses and home offices in the city's single-family residential zones.

A variance is the legal relief from one or more provisions of the city's Zoning Regulations, granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals in cases where a unique or unusual condition (known as a "hardship") has been demonstrated to exist on a parcel of land. For more information about variances and the application process, please contact the Land Use Office at (860) 584-6225.

Also called a Voter Registration Card, can be found on the Elections Administration webpage or on the Secretary of the State webpage. The voter registration card is also available at the Registrars of Voters Office, Public Library, DMV, Town Clerk's Office, and Social Service Agencies. 

Elections are held every year!

2025 -Municipal Election: Mayor, Treasurer, City Council, Board of Education,

            Board of Assessment Appeals

2026 -State Election: Governor and Lt. Governor, U.S. Senator, Representative in Congress, 

State Senator, State Representative, Secretary of the State, Treasurer, Comptroller, Attorney         General, Judge of Probate, Registrars of Voters 

2027- Municipal Election: Mayor, Treasurer, City Council, Board of Education, 

              Board of Assessment Appeals

2028 - Presidential Election: President, U.S. Senator, Representative in Congress,

State Senate, State Representative, Registrars of Voters 

Yes, If you move out of town or out of state we are not automatically notified. Please contact our office to have a cancellation form mailed to you.

Your current assessment is based on a State defined date of value. We use actual sales that have occurred up to that date, October 1st, 2022 in this case, as a basis for the creation of all of our valuation models. That date of value would reflect prevailing economic conditions that are occurring at that time. It is important to remember that when evaluating your change in assessment that you factor in when the previous assessment was calculated.

119 Riverside Avenue (Route 72)
Bristol, CT

Next door to the Carousel Museum

Office Hours

• Hours of Operation Office: 8 am to 4:25 pm Monday, Wednesday & Thursday
• Tuesday 8am to 5:25pm
• Friday 8 am to 12:25 pm

Drive-Up Window

• Drive-Up Window: 8 am to 4 pm Monday, Wednesday & Thursday
• Tuesday 8am to 5pm
• Friday 8 am to 12 pm

Meter Shop

• 7 am to 3 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 
• 7 am to 5:30 pm Tuesday 7 am to 12:30 pm Friday

The water bill is based on the actual amount of water used during a three month billing cycle. The water meter reading we take every three months is subtracted from the previous meter reading. This gives you a consumption amount of cubic feet used. The consumption times the cubic foot charge determines your bill.

A bill is late after 30 days. The penalty charge is 1.5% on the unpaid balance with a minimum of $1.50 per service.

7.48 gallons per cubic foot.

It is very difficult to answer this questions. Everyone's water habits are different.

When you are selling your home your Attorney will need to contact our office a minimum of 3 days prior to your closing date. At that time, we will obtain a meter reading which will result in a final bill provided to your Attorney to be paid at closing.

Unlike other utilities, the water department has the right to lien your property if the bill remains unpaid. The bill stays in your name and is sent to you so you are aware of any charges. If it is the tenants responsibility to pay the bill, you should forward the bill to them in a timely manner.

As long as there is a meter in your home you will continue to receive a minimum bill even if no water is used. If you will be gone longer than three months it may be to your benefit to have the meter removed. You should contact our office if this is the case - charges do apply.

Residential customer's sewer rate is determined by their winter quarter water consumption. Therefore, if you are filling your pool, washing your car or watering your lawn between April and November your sewer rate will not be increased by this usage.

The winter quarter depends on what district you are in. The first two digits of your account number determines which district you are in. 01-are months of December, January, February, 02-January, February, March and 03-November, December, January.

Iron and mineral deposits can accumulate in a water main. The sediment normally lay dormant in the water main unless an interruption of flow disturbs the material. Typical interruptions can be caused by a fire in the area, water main breaks or department hydrant flushing.

You should contact the Bristol Water Department to see if we can determine the cause. After the situation has been corrected, you should run your cold water faucet to clear the water. You should refrain from washing clothes during this time. However, if you do have a load of laundry in your machine and this happens when the water has cleared try adding a 1/4 cup of cream of tarter with your regular laundry detergent. If you haven't dried your clothes this should help remove the discoloration.

Yes, We have an automated phone payment system. Call 1-844-233-6147 and follow the prompts.

A water filling station is located at the Water Filtration Plant and is available to any customers who are effected by an extended service interruption 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. There is no charge to customers effected by a water service interruption. Customers will need to bring their own containers and Filtration Plant Operators will assist in filling them. The Water Filtration Plant is located at 1080 Terryville Avenue and the number to the plant is (860) 583-6504. It would be appreciated if customers could call the plant in advance of arrival.

The purpose of smoke testing is to find potential points of inflow and infiltration in the public and private portions of the sanitary sewer system that could lead to high flows during storm events.  Smoke testing can also help locate the following:

• Buildings that have downspouts, cellar, yard or basement drains
• Catch basins and parking lot drains
• Any cross connections between sanitary sewers and storm drains
• Defective sewer connections that could allow sewer gases into a building

Field crews will distribute a notice door to door approximately 24 to 48 hours in advance. Police, Fire and the Public Works Official will also be notified daily of work area.

During smoke testing, field crews blow air and smoke into the sanitary sewer system in the street and monitor where smoke escapes the system.  The smoke, under pressure, will fill the main line as well as any connections and then follow a path of any leak to the ground surface, quickly revealing the source of the problem.  Only enough force to overcome atmospheric pressure is required, and smoke should escape from building roof vents.

Smoke testing is the most efficient and cost effective way to locate and identify where unauthorized water is entering the public and private portion of the sewer system.  The smoke is harmless and will disappear after only a few minutes.  The testing is also a cost-effective way to find areas of the sewer system that need improvement.  Smoke testing will also help identify plumbing leaks in buildings.  Sewer gases can cause health problems for building occupants.

NO. The "smoke" is not true smoke.  It will not harm your health or leave a stain and will disappear rapidly without leaving an odor.

If the smoke enters your home, it may make you cough, but the smoke is:

• Non-toxic
• Non-staining and odorless
• Harmless to humans, pets, plants, food and material goods
• Creates no fire hazard

No, provided that your plumbing is installed and functioning properly, and provided "traps" are filled with water.  Drains that are used frequently should be okay.

If you are not sure, simply run water down the drain for a minute to ensure that the trap is not dry.   It is important to locate dry traps as they could allow sewer gases to enter the home.  Dry traps are most commonly found in basement floor drains that are used only during rare flood events or in unused fixtures.  Please thoroughly check your home.

If smoke enters your home during the test, it may indicate there are deficiencies in the plumbing that may allow potentially dangerous sewer gases to enter.

Since plumbing fixtures in your home or business are connected to the sanitary sewer system, there is the potential for the smoke to enter if the drains are not connected properly.  This happens particularly under the following circumstances:

• The vents connected to your building's sewer pipes are inadequate, defective or improperly installed
• The traps under sinks, tubs, basins, showers and other drains are dry, defective or improperly installed
• The pipes, connections or seals in the wastewater drain system in and/or under your building are damaged, defective, have plugs missing or improperly installed

• Do Not Become Alarmed
• Open windows to allow ventilation and note the location of the smoke emission; smoke will clear within a few minutes
• Exit the building and notify smoke testing personnel in the area

While crews might be in your area for a few hours, each actual smoke test setup takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.  Most houses will only be within the testing area for one or two tests.

When you receive notice that smoke testing will take place, you should:

• Check to see that all drain traps under basins, washing facilities and floor drains contain water; simply flush toilets and run or pour water into all drains, including unused fixtures and floor drains.
• If there is an individual in your home or business who has reparatory problems and/or mobility limitations, or if your have any additional questions, contact Flow Assessment Services at 1-888-311-9799

No.  Inspection crews will not need to enter your home unless smoke is present and you want them to help identify the defect.  You are not required to allow entry to our crews.

No.

If the smoke has entered the basement, open an outside cellar access way and as many basement windows as possible.  Placing an electric fan in an open window or open access will allow the smoke to dissipate faster.