Wakefield Fire Department

Smoke detector and Carbon Monoxide detector installation and inspection requirements

As per Massaschusetts General Laws Chapter 148, Section 26F and 26F 1/2

Effective December 1, 2016

Homes built before January 1, 1975 that have not been substantially altered must be protected with at least battery-operated detectors. Homes built or substantially altered after January 1, 1975 must follow the provisions of the state building code in effect when they were built or substantially altered.

• There must be a smoke and CO detector on every level of the house including basement.
• Ionization detectors are not required anywhere in homes built before 1/1/75.
• There is no requirement for extra smoke detectors on floors over 1200 square feet in homes built before 1/1/75. They are recommended but not required.
• A photoelectric smoke detector is required on the ceiling at the base of each stairway leading to the floor above including the basement (but not within stairways).
• A photoelectric smoke detector is required on the ceiling outside each separate sleeping area.
• Smoke detectors must be photoelectric. Detectors can be in combination with ionization or carbon monoxide alarms. Ionization smoke detectors are not required.
• New smoke detectors must contain a HUSH FEATURE to silence nuisance alarms.
• Smoke detectors may be battery-powered, hardwired, or a combination of both.
• New battery smoke detectors must have 10-year, sealed, non-rechargeable, non-replaceable batteries. Existing battery detectors in the correct locations less than 10 years old are acceptable.
• Battery-powered alarms that are older than 10 years old must be replaced.
• Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors with no date of manufacture or expiration dates on the detector must be replaced with ten year, sealed, non-rechargeable, non-replaceable battery powered detectors.
• Two family dwellings must now be equipped with at least photoelectric smoke detectors in common areas shared by both units.
• Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed on each level of the home and outside each separate sleeping area within ten feet of bedroom doors. Carbon monoxide detectors must be mounted via screws or plug-in per manufacturer’s instructions. Combination smoke and CO detectors are allowed but must be ten year photoelectric smoke detectors mentioned above.

Inspections in homes built after January 1, 1975 or in homes built before that date that have been substantially altered.

• Any home equipped with hard-wired detectors must maintain and update to photoelectric hard-wired detectors in order to receive a certificate.
• Any smoke detector within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom must be a photoelectric detector.
• Additional smoke detectors will be required for floors with living space in excess of 1200 square feet. If required, they must be combination ionization/photoelectric if battery-powered.
• No detector can be more than ten years old. If there is no manufacture date on detector replace it. Existing smoke detectors in correct locations are acceptable.
• Homes with battery detectors require both an ionization and a photoelectric smoke detector in the basement as well as any floor where the detector is further than 20 feet from a kitchen or bathroom.
• New battery detectors must be sealed 10-year units with non-rechargeable, non-replaceable batteries. Existing battery detectors that are less than ten years old are acceptable.
• Combo photoelectric/ionization smoke detectors are not required in hard-wired systems.
• A smoke detector is required on the ceiling at the bottom of each flight of stairs, but NOT within the stairwell. A smoke detector is required on the ceiling outside each separate sleeping area.
• At least one carbon monoxide detector shall be installed on each floor or level of the home including the basement. Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed within 10 feet of bedroom doors.
• Carbon monoxide detectors in homes built after 1/1/08 must be hard-wired and interconnected.
• Homes built before 1/1/08 may utilize battery carbon monoxide detectors allowed or AC powered with a battery back-up. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• The only combination smoke / carbon monoxide detectors allowed are those that are equipped with both a tone and voice identification indicating FIRE or CARBON MONOXIDE alarm condition.
• Combination CO/Smoke detectors within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom must be photoelectric. Other combination detectors may have ionization smoke detection.
• Combination Ionization/Photoelectric battery smoke detectors can be used in the basement or anywhere farther than 20 feet from a kitchen or bathroom.
• Homes built after 8/27/97 must have hard-wired detectors in all bedrooms.
• Renovated homes must comply with requirements at time of final inspection.
• All smoke detectors/carbon monoxide detectors must be installed and tested by the owner /occupant prior to the fire department inspection to insure proper operation.
• Please note that if the fire department must re-inspect a second fee will be charged.

All homes

• All homes must have a street number clearly visible from the street attached to the house at the front door.
• For enhanced protection, additional battery-operated smoke detector can be installed on the ceilings of each bedroom and can be photoelectric, ionization, or both and can be equipped with replaceable batteries. These additional detectors are not required and therefore optional.
• Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms must follow the same ten year sealed requirements and placement locations as smoke detectors. Be aware that the carbon monoxide part of the alarm may fail before ten years (it will sound end of life alarm) and that the device must be replaced at that point. New battery powered combination smoke and CO detectors must have a 10-year, sealed, non-replaceable battery with tone and voice notification.
• Wireless smoke alarms or networked smoke alarms with photoelectric sensing technology can have a replaceable battery as long as the battery lasts for at least one year. Wireless and networked alarms meet minimum requirements when they are installed following the manufacturer’s instructions and are in the correct required locations.

Fees:

1 Family

$50.00

2 Family

$100.00

3 to 5 Family

$150.00

6 or more Family

$500.00