(A) An operational smoke alarm shall be installed in the immediate vicinity of each sleeping area within all one and two-family dwellings, including any "manufactured home" as that term is defined in W. V. Code § 22-9-2(j). The smoke alarm shall be capable of sensing visible or invisible particles of combustion and shall meet the specifications and be installed as provided in the current edition of the National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, "Standard for the Installation, Maintenance and Use of Household Fire Warning Equipment" and in the manufacturer's specifications. When activated, the smoke detector shall provide an alarm suitable to warn the occupants of the danger of fire.
(B) The owner of each dwelling described in division (A) of this section shall provide, install and replace the operational smoke alarms required by this section. So as to assure that the smoke alarm continues to be operational, in each dwelling described in division (A) of this section which is not occupied by the owner thereof, the tenant in any dwelling shall perform routine maintenance on the smoke alarms within the dwelling.
(C) Where a dwelling is not occupied by the owner and is occupied by an individual who is deaf or hearing impaired, the owner shall, upon written request by or on behalf of the individual, provide and install a smoke detector with a light signal sufficient to warn the deaf or hearing-impaired individual of the danger of fire.
(D) An automatic fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with the current edition of the National Fire Protection Association Standard 13D, "Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies" may be provided in lieu of smoke alarms.
(E) After investigating a fire in any dwelling described in division (A) of this section, the local investigating authority shall issue to the owner a smoke alarm installation order in the absence of the required smoke detector.
(F) An operational single station carbon monoxide detector with a suitable alarm or a combination smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm, which shall be alternating current (AC) powered, either plugged directly in to an electrical outlet that is not controlled by a switch or hardwired into an alternating current (AC) electrical source, with battery backup, and be installed, maintained, tested, repaired or replaced, if necessary, in accordance with the manufacturer's direction:
(1) In any newly constructed residential unit which has a fuel-burning heating or cooking source including, but not limited to, an oil or gas furnace or stove;
(2) In any residential unit which is connected to a newly constructed building, including, but not limited to, a garage, storage shed or barn, which has a fuel-burning heating or cooking source, including, but not limited to, an oil or gas furnace or stove;
(3) In either a common area where the general public has access or all rooms in which a person will be sleeping that are adjoining to and being directly below and above all areas or rooms that contain permanently installed fuel-burning appliances and equipment that emit carbon monoxide as a byproduct of combustion located within all apartment buildings, boarding houses, dormitories, long-term care facilities, adult or child care facilities, assisted living facilities, one- and two-family dwellings intended to be rented or leased, hotels and motels.
(G) All single station carbon monoxide alarms with a suitable alarm or a combination smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm shall be hardwired into an alternating current (AC) electrical source, with battery backup, when installed in all newly constructed apartment buildings, boarding houses, dormitories, hospitals, long-term care facilities, adult or child care facilities, assisted living facilities, one- and two-family dwellings intended to be rented or leased, hotels and motels.
(H) In any long-term care facility that is staffed on a 24-hour, seven day a week basis, the single station carbon monoxide alarm with a suitable alarm or a combination smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm shall only be required to be installed in an area of the facility that permits the detector to be audible to the staff on duty.
(I) Any person installing a carbon monoxide alarm in a residential unit shall inform the owner, lessor or the occupant or occupants of the residential unit of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and instructions on the operation of the carbon monoxide alarm installed.
(J) When repair or maintenance work is undertaken on a fuel-burning heating or cooking source or a venting system in an existing residential unit, the person making the repair or performing the maintenance shall inform the owner, lessor or the occupant or occupants of the unit being served by the fuel-burning heating or cooking source or venting system of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and recommend the installation of a carbon monoxide detector.
(K) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, for a first offense, shall be fined $250. For a second offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined $750. For a third and subsequent offenses, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined $2,000.
(L) A violation of this section may not be considered by virtue of the violation to constitute evidence of negligence or contributory negligence or comparative negligence in any civil action or proceeding for damages.
(M) A violation of this section may not constitute a defense in any civil action or proceeding involving any insurance policy.
(N) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the rights of any political subdivision in this state to enact laws imposing upon owners of any dwelling or other building described in division (A) or (F) of this section a greater duty with regard to the installation, repair and replacement of the smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms than is required by this section.
(Ord. 2041, passed 8-13-18)