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- Guidelines for Placement of Smoke and Carbon Monox
YEAR BUILT Also see below** | Before 1975 | 1975-8/27/1997 | 8/27/1997-2007 | 1/1/2008-2011 | 2011-Present |
TYPE OF SMOKE DETECTOR | Photoelectric or dual | Photoelectric or dual | Photoelectric or dual | Photoelectric or dual | Photoelectric |
A dual detector consists of one detector with both PHOTOELECTRIC and IONIZATION.
All homes built or substantially updated from 2011 to present MUST be PHOTOELECTRIC ONLY!
Combination Photoelectric Smoke Detector/Carbon Monoxide Alarm MUST be VOICE ALERT ONLY
SMOKE ALARM POWER SUPPLY | Battery or hardwired | Hardwired, interconnected | Hardwired, Interconnected with battery back up | Hardwired, Interconnected with battery back up | Hardwired, Interconnected with battery back up |
BASEMENT | Smoke & CO Detector* | Smoke & CO Detector* | Smoke & CO Detector* | Smoke & CO Detector* | Smoke & CO Detector* |
BASE OF STAIRS | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke |
OUTSIDE SLEEPING AREA | Smoke & CO Detector* | Smoke & CO Detector* | Smoke & CO Detector* | Smoke & CO Detector* | Smoke & CO Detector* |
INSIDE BEDROOM | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke | Smoke |
FINISHED ATTIC | Smoke & CO Detector* | Smoke & CO Detector* | Smoke & CO Detector* | Smoke & CO Detector* | Smoke & CO Detector* |
GARAGE ATTACHED | Not required | Not required | Not required | Heat Detector | Heat Detector |
All smoke detectors must be under 10 years old for the sale of a home and UL/ANSI listed.
One smoke alarm is needed for up to 1,200 sq. ft. of living area, per floor. Additional smoke alarms needed beyond 1,200 sq. ft. (1,200-2,200 = 2) (2,200-3,200 = 3)
CO DETECTOR POWER SUPPLY | Battery or plug-in w/ battery back up | Battery or plug-in w/ battery back up | Battery or plug-in w/ battery back up | Hardwired, Interconnected with battery back up | Hardwired, Interconnected with battery back up |
*CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS WITHIN 10 FEET OF BEDROOMS AND EVERY HABITABLE LEVEL INCLUDING BASEMENTS AND FINISHED ATTICS*
** Addition or Modification of a bedroom, or renovation > 1/3 assessed value of the home.
ie. Home built in 1975, added a bedroom in 2006, would have to be brought to 8/27/97-07 Code.
As of December 1, 2016, all homes built prior to 1975 must have 10 years sealed non-rechargeable, non-replaceable battery Smoke Detectors.
This document is a guideline. Please call Fire Prevention with any questions, 781-397-7383
This guideline does not supersede any state fire or building codes.