Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-296

The State Fire Marshal may grant variations or exemptions from, or approve equivalent or alternate compliance with, particular provisions of the Fire Safety Code or State Fire Prevention Code where strict compliance with such provisions would entail practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship, or is otherwise adjudged unwarranted, provided any such variation or exemption or approved equivalent or alternate compliance shall, in the opinion of the State Fire Marshal, secure the public safety. Any application for a variation or exemption or equivalent or alternate compliance received by a local fire marshal shall be forwarded to the State Fire Marshal by first class mail or electronic mail not later than fifteen business days after receipt by such local fire marshal and shall be accompanied by a letter or electronic message from such local fire marshal regarding the merits of the application.