April 5, 2010 brings new smoke detector laws to the state. To be in compliance your home must meet the following provisions on the sale of residential properties. It is recommended that any person considering selling their home make these updates at or prior to listing their property and have local fire dept. certify. If you have questions on the proper locations for these devices contact your local fire dept. to view your home and make recommendations.
Draft as approved by the BFPR on 12-10-09 for emergency filing
32.01: Purpose and Scope
32.02: General Requirements
Pursuant to the Board’s authority under M.G.L. c. 22D, s. 4 to develop a comprehensive fire safety code and under the general regulatory authority of M.G.L. c. 148, sections 10 and 28, the purpose of 527 CMR 32.00 is to enhance public safety by providing further technical qualification to the definitions of “Approved monitored battery power smoke detector” and “Approved primary power smoke detector”, as those words are used in M.G.L. c. 148, sections 26D, E and F. The provisions of 527 CMR 32.00 shall not apply to buildings constructed, altered or modified after January 1, 1975, which are subject to the provisions of 780 CMR, The State Building Code.
As of April 5, 2010, 527 CMR 32.00 shall be the applicable standard for sellers to comply with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 148, s. 26F upon sale and transfer of certain buildings or structures occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes.
32.02: General Requirements
(1) Except for smoke detectors located in areas regulated by 527 CMR 32.03, an approved monitored battery power smoke detector shall consist of a working device, as defined in M.GL.c148, s. 26D, that is listed and employs both ionization and photoelectric technology, in either a single unit or by means of two separate units to determine an alarm condition.
(2) Except for smoke detectors located in areas regulated by 527 CMR 32.03, an approved primary power smoke detector shall consist of a working device, as defined in M.GL.c148, s. 26D, that is listed and employs both ionization and photoelectric technology, in either a single unit or by means of two separate units to determine an alarm condition.
(3) Compliance with 527 CMR 32.02 can be met by a low voltage system of wired or wireless connected listed photoelectric smoke detectors.
Draft as approved by the BFPR on 12-10-09 for emergency filing
32.03: Installation of Smoke Detectors In the Vicinity of a Kitchen, Bathroom or Other Areas.
(1) A smoke detector installed within 20 feet of an entryway to a kitchen, or bathroom containing a bathtub or shower, shall not utilize ionization technology to determine an alarm condition. The 20-foot measurement shall include and extend into common areas of a multi-family dwelling, if applicable.
