(a) Smoke Detectors Required.
(1) The owner of every premises, occupied or vacant, on which is located one (1) or more rental dwelling units within the Village of Edgar shall install a working smoke detector device so located as to protect the sleeping areas of each dwelling unit. If sleeping areas are separated, the number of detection devices installed shall be that deemed necessary by the Fire Inspector to protect each sleeping area. If required by state regulations, carbon monoxide detectors shall also be installed.
(2) For purposes of this Section, "dwelling unit" shall mean a room or group of rooms constituting all or part of a dwelling which are arranged, designed, used or intended for use exclusively as living quarters.
(b) Installation and Design Standards.
(1) The Fire Chief or Fire Inspector are available to advise the owner of the rental premises of the types of detectors and points of installation within the dwelling which meet the requirements of this Section.
(2) All smoke and heat detection devices shall be installed in locations meeting the installation standards of this Section, SPS 320, Wis. Adm. Code, the Wisconsin Statutes, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. The smoke detector(s) shall be installed according to the manufacturer's specifications, in the basement, at the head of any common stairway on each floor level (except attic and storage areas) and in each sleeping area.
(3) Installation of a smoke detector in a common hallway leading to the sleeping areas, but not more than six (6) feet from the doorway of each sleeping area, may take the place of a smoke detector in each sleeping area adjacent to the hallway.
(4) All smoke and heat detectors shall bear the Underwriters Laboratory or Factory Mutual seal of approval. All smoke detectors shall meet the Underwriters Laboratory Standard 217. At least one (1) smoke detector shall be installed for every dwelling unit located so as to protect sleeping areas.
(5) In multi-family dwellings, additional devices connected to the building alarm system, if any, shall be installed in every public corridor serving one (1) or more dwelling units and on every separate level of the building, regardless of whether a sleeping area is located on such level. If a local fire alarm system is not provided or required, smoke detectors shall be connected to a signal outside of the enclosure which will be audible throughout the entire building.
(6) In multi-family dwellings, in addition to smoke detectors in every living unit, all storage areas shall be protected with heat-sensing devices. These devices shall be connected to the building fire alarm system. If a local fire alarm system is not required, such device shall be connected to a signal outside of the enclosure which will be audible throughout the entire building. Heat-sensing devices shall be installed in space according to good engineering practices, but in no instance shall detectors be spaced more than thirty (30) feet on center and fifteen (15) feet from any wall.
(7) Smoke detector or heat-sensing devices shall be installed in all furnace, boiler and incinerator rooms in a multi-family dwelling.
(c) Miscellaneous Requirements.
(1) The owner of the building shall be solely responsible for the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors, to include battery replacement as required.
(2) The tenant shall be responsible for informing the owner in writing of any smoke detector malfunction, including the need for a new battery.
(3) The owner shall immediately upon receipt of written notice from the tenant repair/replace the smoke detector or replace the battery as needed.
(4) Neither the owner nor the tenant shall remove or disconnect the battery from a smoke detector at any time except for battery replacement.
(5) The owner shall install new batteries in all smoke detectors at the beginning of a new lease or new tenancy and shall install new batteries annually.
(6) The owner shall furnish to the tenant at the beginning of a new lease or new tenancy, written notice of the responsibilities of the tenant and the obligations of the owner regarding smoke detectors, their batteries and their maintenance.
State Law Reference:
SPS 320, Wis. Adm. Code