Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Installation and Inspection Requirements
When Selling a One or Two Family Dwelling
M.G.L. c148 s.26F - The Law
Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 148 section 26F mandates that upon sale or transfer of certain homes, the seller must install approved smoke alarms. These requirements apply to residences that were built or modified prior to creation of the Massachusetts State Building code (January 1, 1975). If a building was built or has undergone substantial renovation (50% of walls and ceilings open to framing, addition of bedrooms), addition or modification after January 1, 1975. The date the building permit was issued determines the smoke alarm requirements.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Massachusetts General Law, chapter 148 section 26F 1⁄2 and 527 CMR 1.00:13.7.6 mandates that upon sale or transfer of any residence, the local fire department must inspect the residence for carbon monoxide alarm compliance. After a successful inspection, the local fire department will issue a Certificate of compliance indicating that the residence meets the carbon monoxide alarm requirements. Smoke alarm and CO alarm inspections can be conducted in the same visit.
When scheduling your Smoke CO Alarm Inspection the following information is required:
The year the property was built
Whether the property has undergone substantial renovation (50% of walls and ceilings open to framing), addition of bedrooms and addition or modification made after January 1, 1975
Typical one and two family dwellings built before
Smoke Alarms are required as follows
On every habitable level of the residence including basements
On the ceiling at the base of each stairway leading to a floor above including the basement (but Not within the stairway).
On the ceiling outside each separate sleeping area
Must be photoelectric
May be both battery powered, hardwired, or a combination of both
Smoke alarms cannot be more than 10 years old (527 CMR 1 13.10.7.1)
Existing alarms that are less than 10 years old
If the smoke alarm is within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (shower & tub) the alarm is required to be photoelectric only
If the smoke alarm is outside of 20 feet from a kitchen or bathroom (shower & tub) the alarm is required to be a photoelectric/ionization combination detector
New or replacement alarms
Must be photoelectric. Can be in combination with carbon monoxide alarm
Must contain a hush feature to silence alarms
Battery powered alarms must have 10 year, sealed, non-rechargeable, non-replaceable battery
Example: new battery powered alarms installed after December 1, 2016 must be 10 year sealed, non-rechargeable, non-replaceable battery powered alarms
Carbon Monoxide alarms are required as follows
On every level of the residence, including habitable portions of basements and attics and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door
Combination photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide alarms may be used
Combination alarms must have both a tone and simulated voice alarm to distinguish the type of emergency
May be either: battery powered, plug in with battery backup, hardwired with battery backup
Manufacturer’s instructions should be followed for installation and placement
Typical one and two family dwellings permitted between and (780 CMR 1-5th Edition)
Smoke alarms are required as follows
Smoke alarm on every habitable level of the residence including basements
Smoke alarm on the ceiling at the base of each stairway
Smoke alarm on the ceiling outside each separate sleeping area
A minimum of one smoke alarm must be installed for every 1,200 square feet of living space
Must be hardwired interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms
Carbon Monoxide alarms are required as follows
On every level of the residence, including habitable portions of basements and attics and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door
Combination alarms (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide alarms) may be used
Combination alarms must have both a tone and simulated voice alarm to distinguish the type and emergency
May be either: battery powered, or plug in with battery backup
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for installation and placement
Typical one and two family dwellings permitted after - (780 CMR 6th Edition)
Smoke alarms are required as follows
Smoke alarm on every habitable level including basements
Smoke alarm at the base of each stairway
Smoke alarm outside of each separate sleeping area
Smoke alarm inside every bedroom
A minimum of one smoke alarm must be installed for every 1,200 square feet of living space per level
Must be hardwired and interconnected photoelectric smoke alarm with battery backup
Minimum of 36 inches from HVAC supply vents, tips of ceiling fan blades, and bathroom doors (shower & tub)
More than 12 smoke alarms requires a Low Voltage System
Carbon Monoxide alarms are required as follows
On every level of the residence, including habitable portions of basements and attics and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door
Combination alarms (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide) may be used anywhere
Combination alarms must have both a tone and simulated voice alarm to distinguish the type of emergency
May be either: battery powered, or plug in type with battery backup
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and placement
Typical one and two family dwellings permitted on or after - (780 CMR 7th Edition)
Smoke alarms are required as follows
Smoke alarm on every habitable level of the residence including basements
Smoke alarm at the base of each stairway
Smoke alarm outside of each separate sleeping area
Smoke alarm inside every bedroom
A minimum of one smoke alarm must be installed for every 1,200 square feet of living space per level
Must be hardwired and interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms with battery backup
More than 12 smoke alarms requires low voltage system.
Minimum of 36 inches from HVAC supply vents, tips of ceiling fan blades, and bathroom doors (shower & tub)
Carbon Monoxide alarms are required as follows
On every level of the residence, including habitable portions of basements and attics and
Located within 10 feet of each bedroom door
Combination alarms (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide alarm) may be used
Must be hardwired and interconnected with battery backup. (May be separately wired from the existing smoke detection system)
Follow the manufacturer’s instruction for installation and placement
Heat alarms are required as follows
Must have a single heat alarm in any garage attached to or under the residence
Must be hardwired and interconnected with or without battery backup to the existing smoke detection system
Heat alarms are not required in garages of older homes unless renovation, addition or modification occurs after
Typical one and two family dwellings permitted on or after - (780 CMR 8th Edition)
Smoke alarms are required as follows
Smoke alarm on every habitable level of the residence including basements
Smoke alarm at the base of each stairway
Smoke alarm outside of each separate sleeping area
Smoke alarm inside every sleeping area
A minimum of one smoke alarm must be installed for every 1,200 feet of living space per level
Must be hardwired and interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms with battery backup
More than 12 smoke alarms requires low voltage system
Minimum of 36 inches from HVAC supply vents, tips of ceiling fan blades, and bathroom doors (shower & tub)
Carbon Monoxide alarms are required as follows
On every level of the residence, including basements and habitable attics, and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door
Combination alarms (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide alarm) may be used
Must be hardwired and interconnected with battery backup. (May be separately wired from existing system)
Heat alarms are required as follows
Must have a single heat alarm in attached garage or garage with living space
Must be hardwired and interconnected with or without battery back up to the existing smoke detection system
Typical one and two family dwellings permitted on or after January 1, 2018
Smoke alarms are required as follows
Smoke alarm on every habitable level of the residence including basements
Smoke alarm at the base of each stairway
Smoke alarm outside each separate sleeping area
Smoke alarm inside every bedroom
Minimum of one smoke alarm for every 1000 square feet
More than 12 alarms requires a low voltage system
Minimum of 36 inches from HVAC supply vents, tips of ceiling fan blades, and bathroom doors (shower and tub)
Carbon Monoxide alarms are required as follows
On every level of the residence, including basements and habitable attics, and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door
Combination Alarms (photoelectric and carbon monoxide alarm) may be used
Must be hardwired and interconnected with battery backup. May be separately wired from existing system
Heat alarms are required as follows
Must have a single heat alarm in attached garage or garage with living space
Must be hardwired and interconnected with or without battery backup to the existing smoke detection system
Triggers for an upgrade to the smoke and carbon monoxide detector requirement
Adding, creating new sleeping areas
Includes change of use of existing rooms to bedrooms (sleeping area)
Substantial renovation, gutting of dwelling
Requires upgrade to current code
Refer to 780 CMR AJ102.3.1 (1), AJ102.3.2
Wireless 'one link' Smoke Alarms
Cannot be used for required device locations for dwellings built under a building code
Can be used in Pre 1975 dwelling
Can be used as supplemental system
Must be a listed product (UL, ETL)
Smoke or heat alarms shall not be interconnected with alarms from other manufacturer’s unless listed as being compatible with the specific model
Posted street number is visible form the street (MGL c.148 s.59)