DWELLINGS BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 1975

1. Battery and/ or electric smoke detectors will be accepted unless an upgrade was triggered due to construction reasons.

2. Smoke detectors are installed on the ceiling and not the wall. (Note: Smoke detectors may only be installed on walls with fire department approval due to a structural issue that would prohibit ceiling mounted detectors.

3. Location of smoke detectors:

a. Smoke detectors shall be installed on the ceiling of each stairway leading to the floor above, near the base of, but not within each stairway

b. Smoke detectors shall be installed on the ceiling on each level of habitation and the basement level.

c. Smoke detectors shall be installed outside each separate sleeping area.

d. An additional smoke detector shall be installed for every 1200 sq/ft of living space, or part thereof, per level, including the basement.

e. Smoke detectors shall be a minimum of four inches away from a wall.

f. Smoke Detectors are recommended to be a minimum of 36 inches from an HVAC supply vent, ceiling fan blade tip or bathroom door with a shower or tub.

g. The maximum allowable distance from a hallway smoke detector to a bedroom is twenty feet on an unobstructed ceiling.

4. It is recommended that any smoke detector located within twenty feet of a kitchen or a bathroom with a tub/shower be of the photo-electric type to reduce nuisance alarms due to cooking smoke or bath steam.

5. Any questions regarding number or placement of smoke detectors should be directed to a fire prevention officer for clarification.

** This document is to be used as a guideline and is not all- inclusive of all regulations relative to residential smoke detectors.