UPDATE: Reminder: Long-lasting-smoke-alarm law takes effect July 1
The state has loosened some of the deadlines associated with a smoke detector law going into effect next year. An article posted last week did not reflect these changes.
At its core, the law still requires that a battery-powered smoke alarm have a non-replaceable, non-removable battery that will last for at least 10 years.
Where it gets tricky is when the new types of smoke detectors must be installed.
A previous article did not reflect some follow-up legislation that, in many cases, will delay this requirement until 2015. This change could prevent unused-but-old-fashioned battery-operated smoke detectors from going to waste.
Here’s the skinny: If an owner, managing agent, contractor, wholesaler or retailer has an old-fashioned smoke alarm or combination alarm in stock or on order by July 1, 2014, the law won’t apply to him or her until July 1, 2015.
Being delayed until Jan. 1, 2015, are requirements that:
- The sale and use of smoke alarms or combination smoke alarms display the date of manufacture.
- Provide a place on the device where the date of installation can be written.
- The date of installation be visible to the consumer without removing the alarm from its base or mounting bracket.
- The alarm contains a hush feature.
Last week’s article correctly reported that landlords with the old type of battery-operated smoke detector already installed don’t need to worry about the new law unless the device is inoperable — or if the property owner pulls a permit to do work valued at $1,000 or more.
Also, the law requires that by Jan. 1, 2016, owners of rental units must install smoke alarms in each bedroom or other sleeping area. These alarms must meet all of the fire marshal’s requirements.