If you are someone who owns a one or two family home you might want to make sure your property has the new smoke requirements especially if you plan to sell in 2017.
The Board of Fire Prevention Regulations adopted a revised smoke alarm regulations that go into effect Dec 1st, 2016. The change applies only to one and two family residence built before January 1st, 1975 that have not been substantially altered. If the home was built or altered after that date the smoke alarm requirements are established by the state building code.
Working smoke alarms installed prior to December 1st, 2016 that met requirements can continue to be used until they are 10 years old or have exceeded the manufacturer’s recommended life.
Minimum Requirement for New Smoke Alarms in one and two family residence built before 1975
On every habitable level of the residence
In the basement
On the ceiling at the base of each stairway leading to a floor above including the basement but not within stairways
On the ceiling outside each separate sleeping area
must be photoelectric. Can be in a Combo of Ionization or Carbon monoxide alarms
must contain a hush feature to silence nuisance alarms
Maybe battery-powered hardwired or a combination of both
New battery-powered alarms must have 10 years sealed rechargeable nonreplaceable, battery powered ones.
In two family dwellings, smoke alarms are required in common areas shared by residents
If you have further questions about the new smoke alarm you can find info here mass.gov/dfs and if you would like to print info out click here
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