(A) Generally.
(1) Every dwelling unit (whether a single or multiple-family residence or a mixed-use building) shall be equipped with at least one approved smoke detector:
(a) In each sleeping room;
(b) Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms; and
(c) On each additional story of the dwelling.
(2) The detector shall be installed on the ceiling and at least six inches from any wall, or on a wall located between four and six inches from the ceiling.
(B) Single-family residences. Every single-family residence shall have at least one approved smoke detector installed on every story of the residence including basements, but not including unoccupied attics. In residences with split-levels, a smoke detector installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level if the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level; however, if there is an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke detector shall be installed on each level.
(C) Multiple-family and mixed-use buildings. Every structure which contains more than one dwelling unit or contains at least one dwelling unit and is a mixed-use structure, shall contain at least one approved smoke detector at the uppermost ceiling of each interior stairwell including basements. The detector shall be installed on the ceiling, at least six inches from the wall, or on a wall located between four and six inches from the ceiling.
(D) Leased premises; responsibilities.
(1) It shall be the responsibility of the owner of the structure leased to or occupied by a person or persons other than the owner (herein “tenant”) to supply and install all required detectors. The owner shall be responsible for making reasonable efforts to test and maintain detectors in common stairwells and hallways. It shall be the responsibility of a tenant or occupant to test and to provide general maintenance for the detectors within the tenant’s or occupant’s dwelling unit or rooming unit, and to notify the owner or the authorized agent of the owner in writing of any deficiencies which the tenant or occupant cannot correct. The owner shall be responsible for providing one tenant or occupant per dwelling unit with written information regarding smoke detector testing and maintenance.
(2) The tenant or occupant shall be responsible for replacement of any required batteries in the smoke detector in the tenant’s or occupant’s dwelling unit, except that the owner shall ensure that the batteries are in operating condition at the time the tenant or occupant takes possession of the dwelling unit. The tenant or occupant shall provide the owner or the authorized agent of the owner with access to the dwelling unit to correct any deficiencies in the smoke detector which have been reported in writing to the owner or the authorized agent of the owner.
(E) Existing structures. The requirements of this section shall apply to and become effective July 1, 1988, as to any dwelling unit in existence ten days after the publication of this chapter required by law. Except as provided in 28.104, the smoke detectors required in the dwelling units may be either battery powered or wired into the structure’s AC power line, and need not be interconnected.
(F) Newer substantially remodeled structures. In the case of any dwelling unit that is newly constructed, reconstructed or substantially remodeled after 1988, the requirements of this section shall apply beginning on the first day of occupancy of the dwelling unit after the construction, reconstruction or substantial remodeling. The smoke detectors required in the dwelling unit shall be permanently wired into the structure’s AC power line and if more than one detector is required to be installed within the dwelling unit, the detectors shall be wired so that the actuation of one detector will actuate all the detectors on the dwelling unit.
(G) Alternative compliance. Compliance with an applicable federal building code which requires the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors in a manner different from this code, but providing a level of safety for occupants which is equal to or greater than that provided by this code, shall be deemed to be in compliance with this code, and the requirements of more stringent law shall govern over the requirements of this code.
(1980 Code, § 23.702) (Ord. 8926, passed 11-13-2001) Penalty, see § 156.99