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Smoke Detector Inspections

 

YOU MUST CREATE A PERMITEYES ACCOUNT AND APPLY FOR A PERMIT BEFORE SCHEDULING YOUR INSPECTION


Follow these instructions to apply for a permit:
1. Visit: Permiteye's Account
2. Log-in or create a new account by clicking on "New User Registration"
3. Click "New Application" in the upper left corner
4. Select "Certificate of Compliance"
5. Enter information requested, then save and exit
6. Follow prompts to pay the fee of $30
7. Call (781-293-9571, option 1) around 8:00am to schedule your inspection the day you would like it completed

 

The Hanson Fire Department does NOT pre-schedule
smoke detector inspections.
You must call the morning of the day you would like to have the inspection and schedule a time with the shift commander/Lieutenant. 
It is the responsibility of the homeowner to obtain information on the year the home was built or the last major renovation.

 

Prior to the arrival of the fire department:

  • Make sure that your posted street number is visible from the street (MGL c.148 § 59);

  • Make sure that you have the proper type of alarms.

  • The Hanson Fire Department may require that they be taken down for compliance verification.

  • Make sure that all detectors are installed in the proper locations.

  • Make sure that all alarms are working properly.

  • After passing the inspection, Hanson Fire Department will issue your Certificate of Compliance.

    • This document will probably be required at the closing.

Download the Massachusetts Smoke Detector code pamphlet here

 

Smoke Detector Requirements
All homes are required to have smoke detectors. In general, the requirements for smoke detectors vary depending on when the residence was constructed or underwent renovation, addition, or modification.

Photoelectric vs. Ionization Technologies

Ionization Smoke Detectors

  • Use radiation to detect smoke.
  • More effective in detecting flaming fires.
  • Increased risk of nuisance alarms caused by steam or cooking smoke.

Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

  • Use light to detect smoke.
  • More effective in detecting smoldering fires, which have been attributed to more fires involving death.
  • Household fire alarm systems (low voltage or wireless low voltage systems) only use photoelectric detectors.


Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Massachusetts General Law, chapter 148 section 26F½ and 527 CMR 1.00 Sec 13.7.6 mandates that upon the sale or transfer of any residence, the local fire department must inspect the residence for carbon monoxide alarm compliance. After a successful inspection, the local fire department will issue a Certificate of Compliance indicating that the residence meets the carbon monoxide alarm requirements. Smoke detector and CO alarm inspections can be conducted in the same visit.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements
Since March 31, 2006, carbon monoxide alarms have been required in all residences that have either: fossil fuel burning equipment or an attached enclosed garage. This law applied to all such residences whether or not the residence is being sold or transferred.

What is Fossil Fuel Burning Equipment?
Fossil fuel-burning equipment is any device, apparatus, or appliance that is designed or used to consume fuel of any kind which emits carbon monoxide as a by-product of combustion. Some examples of fossil fuel-burning equipment are gas water heaters, oil or gas furnaces, wood or gas fireplaces, wood pellet stoves, gas clothes dryers, or gas cooking stoves.

Below find the year the home was built OR the year the last major renovation was permitted, this is the code the whole home must comply with.
 

Typical One and Two Family Residences Built Before January 1, 1975
Smoke alarms are required as follows:

  • On every habitable level of the residence.
  • In the basement.
  • On the ceiling at the base of each stairway leading to a floor above including the basement (but not within stairways).
  • On the ceiling outside each separate sleeping area. (Within 10 feet)
  • Must be photoelectric. (Can be in combination with ionization or carbon monoxide.)
  • May be battery-powered, hardwired, or a combination of both.
  • Smoke alarms cannot be more than 10 years old or exceed the manufacturer’s recommended life, whichever comes first.
  • In two-family dwellings, smoke alarms are required in common areas shared by residents.

New or Replacement alarms:

  • Must be photoelectric. (Can be in combination with ionization or carbon monoxide.)
  • Must contain a hush feature to silence nuisance alarms.
  • Battery-powered alarms must have 10-year, sealed, non-rechargeable, non-replaceable batteries.
  • Household fire alarm systems (low-voltage) are exempt from the dual detection requirement.


Carbon monoxide alarms are required as follows:

  • On every level of the residence, including basements and walk-up attics, and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
  • Combination detectors (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may be used if the detector is within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower).
  • Combination detectors (ionization smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may be used if the detector is outside of 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower).
  • Combination detectors must have both a tone and simulated voice alarm to distinguish the type of emergency.
  • May be either: battery-powered, plug-in with battery backup, hardwired with battery backup, or system type.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement.

Typical One and Two Family Residences Permitted Between 1975 and August 27, 1997
Smoke detectors are required as follows:

  • One smoke detector on every level of the residence.
  • One smoke detector on the ceiling at the base of each stairway.
  • One smoke detector on the ceiling outside of each separate sleeping area.
  • A minimum of one smoke detector must be installed for every 1,200 square feet of living space per level.
  • Must be hardwired interconnected smoke detectors.
  • Carbon monoxide alarms are required as follows:
  • On every level of the residence, including basements and walk up attics and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
  • Combination detectors (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may be used anywhere.
  • Combination detectors (ionization smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may be used if the detector is outside of 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower).
  • Combination detectors must have both a tone and simulated voice alarm to distinguish the type of emergency. – May be either: battery powered, plug-in with battery backup, hardwired with battery backup, or system type.

Carbon monoxide alarms are required as follows:

  • On every level of the residence, including habitable portions of basements and attics, and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
  • Combination alarms (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide alarm) may be used anywhere.
  • Combination alarms (ionization smoke and carbon monoxide alarm) may be used if the alarm is more than 20 feet from a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower).
  • Combination alarms must have both a tone and simulated voice alarm to distinguish the type of emergency.
  • May be either: battery-powered, plug-in with battery backup, hardwired with battery backup, or system type.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement.

Typical One and Two Family Residences Permitted after August 27, 1997
Smoke detectors are required as follows:

  • One smoke detector on every level of the residence.
  • One smoke detector at the base of each stairway.
  • One smoke detector outside of each separate sleeping area.
  • One smoke detector inside every bedroom.
  • A minimum of one smoke detector must be installed for every 1,200 square feet of living space per level.
  • Must be hardwired and interconnected smoke detectors with battery backup.
  • If the smoke detector is within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower), the smoke detector is required to be a photoelectric detector.

Carbon monoxide alarms are required as follows:

  • On every level of the residence, including basements and walk-up attics, and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
  • Combination detectors (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may be used anywhere.
  • Combination detectors (ionization smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may be used if the detector is outside of 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower).
  • Combination detectors must have both a tone and simulated voice alarm to distinguish the type of emergency.
  • May be either: battery-powered, plug-in with battery backup, hardwired with battery backup, or system type.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement.

Typical One and Two Family Residences Permitted on or After January 1, 2008
Smoke detectors are required as follows:

  • One smoke alarm on every habitable level of the residence.
  • One smoke alarm at the base of each stairway.
  • One smoke alarm outside of each separate sleeping area.
  • One smoke alarm inside every bedroom.
  • A minimum of one smoke alarm must be installed for every 1,200 square feet of living space per level.
  • Must be hardwired and interconnected smoke alarms with battery backup.
  • If the smoke alarm is within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower), the smoke alarm is required to be a photoelectric alarm.
  • If the smoke alarm is more than 20 feet from a kitchen or a bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower), the 7 smoke alarm is required to be either a photoelectric alarm or a dual alarm (containing both ionization and photoelectric technologies).

Carbon monoxide alarms are required as follows:

  • On every level of the residence, including habitable portions of basements and attics and located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
  • Combination alarms (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide alarm) may be used.
  • Must be hardwired and interconnected with battery backup. (May be separately wired from the existing smoke detection system.)

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement.

Heat alarms are required as follows:

  • Must have a single heat alarm in any garage attached to or under the residence.
  • Must be hardwired and interconnected with or without battery backup to the existing smoke detection system.
  • Heat alarms are not required in garages of older homes unless renovation, addition, or modification occurs after Jan. 1, 2008.

Typical one- and two-family residences permitted on or after February 4, 2011:

Smoke alarms are required as follows:

  • One smoke alarm on every habitable level of the residence.
  • One smoke alarm at the base of each stairway.
  • One smoke alarm outside of each separate sleeping area.
  • One smoke alarm inside every sleeping area.
  • A minimum of one smoke alarm must be installed for every 1,200 square feet of living space per level.
  • Must be hardwired and interconnected with battery backup.
  • All smoke alarms must be photoelectric.

Carbon monoxide alarms are required as follows:

  • On every level of the residence, including basements and habitable portions of attics, and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
  • Combination alarms (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide alarm) may be used.
  • Must be hardwired and interconnected with battery backup. (May be separately wired from the existing smoke detection system.)

Heat alarms are required as follows:

  • Must have a single heat alarm in any garage attached to or under the residence.
  • Must be hardwired and interconnected with or without battery backup to the existing smoke detection system.
  • Heat alarms are not required in garages of older homes unless renovation, addition, or modification occurs after Jan. 1, 2008.

Requirements for 3-5 Family Dwellings
Massachusetts Generals Laws Chapter 148 Section 26E (B ,C ) states the following:
(b) Buildings or structures occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and containing not less than three nor more than five units and not regulated by section twenty-six A, twenty-six B or twenty-six C shall be equipped with approved smoke detectors. Owners of such buildings or structures shall install either an approved monitored battery-powered smoke detector or an approved primary power smoke detector outside each separate sleeping area; provided, however, that the head of the fire department shall allow the installation of approved monitored battery powered smoke detectors; and provided, further, that in all common hallways and basements of said residential buildings or structures a series of interconnected approved primary power smoke detectors shall be installed.

(c) For the purposes of this section, approved primary power shall mean an alternating current primary source of electric power furnished by an electric power or light company municipally operated or operating under the authority of the Department of Telecommunications and Energy which is the primary source of electricity or is a secondary source but is permanently wired thereto and will become operational upon the failure of the primary source of power.