(A) A smoke detector shall be defined for the purposes of this section as a device, which detects visible or invisible products of combustion.
(B) Each smoke detector shall detect abnormal quantities of smoke that can occur in a dwelling, shall properly operate in the normal environmental conditions of a household, and shall be in compliance with ANSI/UL 268-standard for safety smoke detectors for fire protective signaling systems, or ANSI/UL 217-standard for safety single and multiple station smoke detectors.
(C) All private dwelling units within the city shall be equipped with a minimum of one functional, properly located, labeled and listed smoke detector as described in N.F.P.A. Standard No. 72 latest edition. Smoke detectors shall be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each additional story of the family living unit, including basements and excluding crawl spaces and unfinished attics. In family living units with one or more split-levels where there is an intervening door between one level and the adjacent lower level, a smoke detector shall also be installed on the lower level. In new construction beginning on or after the effective date of this chapter a smoke detector also shall be installed in each sleeping room. Where more than one smoke detector is required; detectors shall be arranged so that operation of any smoke detector causes the alarm in all smoke detectors within the dwelling to sound.
(D) All equipment shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation requirements and recommendations. If the method of installation is not specified by the manufacturer, the smoke detector shall be installed on the ceiling at least four inches from the wall or on a wall with the top of the detector not less that four inches nor more than 12 inches below the ceiling. Smoke detectors in rooms with ceiling slopes greater than one foot in eight feet horizontally shall be located at the high side of the room.
(E) Smoke detectors required by 676 IAC 13 or 675 IAC 14 (multi-family dwellings) shall have the power supply as specified by the applicable code. All other residential smoke detectors may be powered by an AC power source or a battery. If the detector is solely AC powered and the manufacturer does not supply installation specifications, it shall be directly attached to a junction box with power supplied either from a dedicated branch circuit or the unswitched portion of a branch circuit also used for power and lighting, and such installation shall be in accordance with 675 IAC 17.
(F) It shall be unlawful for any person to tamper with or remove any smoke detector, except when it is necessary for maintenance or inspection purposes. Any smoke detector removed for repair, replacement or local remodeling shall be reinstalled or replaced so that it is in place and operable immediately upon completion of such repair, replacement or local remodeling.
(1) Rental dwelling units. Each owner or manager or rental agent of the owner and or tenant is responsible for the installation of required smoke detectors and the repair or replacement of a required smoke detector within two business days after the owner, manager, or rental agent is given written notification of the need to repair or replace the smoke detector. Owners, managers or rental agents shall inspect and test the smoke detectors in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions at least monthly.
(2) Owner dwelling units. Each owner is responsible for the installation of required smoke detectors and the repair or replacement of a required smoke detector within two business days of finding it inoperable. An owner shall inspect and test the smoke detectors for power in accordance with manufacturer's instructions at least monthly.
(G) A person, company, or corporation violating IC 22-11-18-3, IC 22-11-18-3.5 and provisions of this chapter shall be subject to penalties as specified in IC 22-11-18-5. Each day such violation is permitted to continue may be deemed to constitute a separate offense, provided however, the aggregate penalty for any violation shall not exceed $2,500.
(Ord. 1-2003, passed 5-5-03)