New Massachusetts Smoke Alarm Regulation
7/15/2010 8:54:35 AM
If you own a home, you know that there are things around the house that need to be taken care of on an annual basis. Changing the batteries on your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are two of the biggest chores that you have to remember to do, but since April of 2010 new smoke alarm regulations have increased the importance of the location of your alarm. The regulation calls for photoelectric smoke detectors to be installed within 20 feet of bathrooms or kitchens containing a shower or tub where ionization detectors may have been previously installed. The presence of steam and cooking fumes may have caused a false reading from the former detector. Many people remove the batteries from their alarms after a repeated alarm sounds after every shower, or every time they cook. This law is to remind everyone that those alarms are there for a reason, to protect you and your household from fumes and flames of fire. This regulation was created with safety in mind and is encouraging that you upgrade from your current smoke alarm to a new photoelectric smoke detector. Listed below are the main properties that will be impacted due to the new regulation.
- Residential buildings under 70 feet tall and containing less than six dwelling units.
- All residential buildings sold or transferred after April 5, 2010, which are less then 70 feet tall, have less than six units, or have not been substantially altered since January 1, 1975.
- Residential buildings not substantially altered since January 1, 1975, and containing less than 6 residential units.
You can contact your local fire department to see if your current smoke alarm complies with the regulation. Find out more on the matter and what properties are affected by the new regulation here, and remember to check all smoke alarms frequently to ensure that they are working properly.
