(A) Compliance; alternatives:
(1) In order to comply with this subchapter, only ionization or photoelectric type detectors approved by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory shall be installed; and
(2) Alternative: as an alternative to self-contained smoke detectors, under certain limited conditions (such as battery-powered smoke detectors), an approved fire detection system or a combination thereof may be installed. The Fire Inspector of the city may subjectively, and on a case-by-case basis, approve each and every alternative system in written form.
(B) Smoke detectors in new residential dwellings shall be wired directly (hard-wired) to the building’s power supply. In existing buildings, it is preferred that smoke detectors be wired directly to the power supply. However, detectors may be powered by self-monitored battery or operated by an electrical plug-in outlet which is fitted with a plug restrainer device, provided that the outlet is not controlled by any switch other than the main power supply.
(C) Smoke detectors shall be placed in accordance with applicable NFPA Standards (see § 92.19). Detectors may be ceiling or wall mounted, provided that if wall mounted they shall be within 12 inches, but not closer than, six inches of the ceiling.
(D) At least one smoke detector shall be installed to protect each sleeping area. A SLEEPING AREA is defined as the area or areas of the dwelling unit in which the bedrooms (or sleeping rooms) are located. Where bedrooms or rooms ordinarily used for sleeping are separated by other used areas (such as kitchens or living rooms, but not bathrooms or closets), they shall be considered as separate sleeping areas for the purposes of this section. In a dwelling unit which contains a well-defined sleeping room separated from the other activity areas of the same unit, the detector shall be located in the corridor within the unit or interior area giving direct access to the rooms used for sleeping purposes. Where sleeping areas are separated and where a single smoke detector will not adequately service all sleeping areas, there shall be smoke detectors installed adjacent to each sleeping area.
(E) In a rooming unit, the detector shall be centrally located on the ceiling.
(F) In a dwelling containing two or more dwelling units or any rooming unit, in addition to the requirements for individual smoke detectors in each dwelling unit or rooming unit, detectors shall be placed in centrally located common areas, so that smoke detectors will adequately service all sleeping areas.
(G) At least one smoke detector shall be installed in or under each stairway leading up to an occupied area in a manner as to assure that rising smoke is not obstructed in reaching the detector and the detector intercepts rising smoke before it reaches the occupied areas.
(1996 Code, § 92.57) (Ord. 1814, passed 4-16-1985) Penalty, see § 92.99