Massachusetts Smoke Detector Laws Are Changing

Whenever a home is sold in Massachusetts, it is required that the home is inspected by the local fire department for properly working smoke detectors, as well as carbon monoxide detectors. Massachusetts has had their smoke detector law in place for decades and is designed to save lives. A property can not change hands without a certificate issued by the local fire department.

Effective January 1, 2010, a new regulation relating to the installation and maintenance of certain smoke detectors will be put in place. Staying up to speed on a change in the law like this is critical for landlords, home owners and Realtors alike. 

According to the new regulation, owners of certain residential buildings will be required to install and maintain both the ionization and photoelectric smoke detectors.

  While the new regulation does not change the locations where smoke detectors are required, it does allow the installation of both technologies in certain locations. 

Under the new regulation, an ionization dectector can not be placed within 20 feet of a kitchen or a bathroom containing a shower or a tub. In these locations only a photoelectronic detector is allowed. 

All property owners should determine what type of smoke detectors they are currently have installed. In order to comply with the law you can either install two separate detectors that have both technologies or by installing one that utilizes both.

To see the whole story visit Massachusetts Smoke Detector Regulations changing.