(a) All boarding houses, dormitories, hotels, motels, adult group homes, multi-family apartment houses, multiple single-family dwellings, efficiency suites, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living homes and similar buildings arranged for shelter and sleeping arrangements shall have approved smoke detection units installed adjacent to the sleeping areas. Such smoke detection devices shall be required regardless of the type of construction or height of the building. An audible alarm shall sound within the occupancy affected by the actuated smoke detector. Battery-operated smoke detectors are permitted, as are detectors that receive their primary power from the building wiring when such siring is served from a commercial source. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than those required for over-current protection. AC-powered smoke detectors shall have a secondary source of power from a battery. All battery-powered detectors shall have built-in protection to warn of battery failure.
(b) All occupancies referred to in subsection (a) hereof which are in buildings over fifty (50) feet in height shall have smoke detectors that are connected directly to an approved, zoned annunciator panel installed near the location of a Fire Division entry, an entry approved by the Chief. The smoke detection alarm system shall be installed in such a manner that when a detector activates the alarm it will sound within the occupied area and the common exit-way, and also so that the annunciator panel will indicate the type of device activated and the floor level of activation. The required annunciator panel shall be supervised in a manner approved by the Chief.
(c) In all existing one- (1), two- (2) or three- (3) family dwellings, smoke alarms and CO alarms shall be a point-of-sale requirement. Smoke alarms shall be installed outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, in each room used for sleeping purposes, and on each additional story of the dwelling, including basements, but excluding crawl spaces and uninhabited attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels, a smoke alarm need be installed only on the upper level provided the lower level is less than one (1) full story below the upper level, except that if there is a door between levels, then an alarm is required on each level. Based on the age and construction of the home, smoke alarms with battery-powered supply are permitted, as are alarms that receive their primary power from the building wiring, when such wiring is served from a commercial source. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than those required for over-current protection. AC-powered smoke alarms shall have a secondary source of power from a battery. All battery-powered alarms shall have built-in protection to warn of battery failure. Smoke alarms shall be installed, replaced and maintained according to national standards and/or NFPA 72. Carbon monoxide alarms are required in existing and new dwellings where fuel-fired appliance installations are present. A minimum of one CO alarm is required.
(d) Any senior citizen multi-family building more than one- (1) story high must be equipped with a fire and smoke detection system with sensors located in every room and corridor. Said system shall be supervised in a manner approved by the Fire Chief.
(e) All required installed smoke alarm or detector units shall be visually and audibly inspected annually by the owner or his agent. A certification form shall be returned by the owner or agent of all residential occupancies, except one- (1), two- (2), or three- (3) family dwellings, stating compliance with this requirement by September 30th of each year.
(f) All required installed smoke alarms or detectors shall be maintained in proper working order at all times by the owner of such unit or units, or his/her representative.
(g) All required smoke alarms or detectors shall be U.L. listed or shall be approved, listed, or labeled by an agency approved by the Chief.
(h) All required smoke alarms or detectors shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
(i) If the requirements of this section are in conflict with any other code, law or ordinance, then the provision which establishes the higher standard for the promotion and protection of the safety and welfare of the public shall prevail.
(j) When practical difficulties are encountered in complying with these provisions, the Fire Chief shall be permitted to modify the requirements of this section provided that the spirit and intent of the law is observed, that public welfare and safety are assured, and that the modification meets or exceeds the requirements of this section.
(Ord. 2005-127. Passed 9-6-05; Ord. 2017-113. Passed 11-14-17.)
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