RUMFORD – With 243 three-story buildings in Rumford – many built long before the creation of life-safety codes – fire Chief John Woulfe and his team of inspectors have a lot of work ahead of them.

Woulfe said Tuesday afternoon that firefighters will start working with building owners next month to bring three-family homes and apartments up to code.

“The fire department will be working with building owners to help them achieve compliance,” Woulfe said.

“The main purpose is safety of the tenants. Right now, we’ve only gone in and inspected by request or by complaints. This is a more pro-active role,” he said of the department’s new program.

A few years in the making, it is designed to significantly reduce or eliminate potential fire hazards.

In Rumford’s early history, Woulfe said larger fires began in apartment buildings and spread to other buildings due to their close proximity.

Town Manager Steve Eldridge said on Monday that many of the 243 three-deckers are more than 100 years old.

“The 243 includes stores with apartments above and big homes that were transformed into apartments. Percentage-wise for the town of Rumford, this is very high,” Woulfe said.

Firefighters will mainly inspect common areas: hallways, basements and stairways.

Common violations found routinely are buildings that lack hardwired smoke detectors, emergency lighting, self-closing doors in the emergency exits to prevent smoke from entering, the proper number of exits, and fire protection of the furnace area.

“We keep seeing these over and over. The furnace is supposed to be enclosed,” Woulfe said.

In other municipal business, Rumford’s Building Committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the town hall conference room. Selectmen will also attend.