Massachusetts Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements

 

Smoke Detector Requirements
All homes are required to have smoke detectors. In general, the requirements for smoke detectors vary depending on when the residence was constructed or underwent renovation, addition or modification.

Photoelectric vs. Ionization Technologies

Ionization Smoke Detectors

  • Use radiation to detect smoke.
  • More effective in detecting flaming fires.
  • Increased risk of nuisance alarms caused by steam or cooking smoke.

Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

  • Use light to detect smoke.
  • More effective in detecting smoldering fires, which have been attributed to more fires involving death.
  • Household fire alarms systems (low voltage or wireless low voltage systems) only use photoelectric detectors.


Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Massachusetts General Law, chapter 148 section 26F½ and 527 CMR 1.00 Sec 13.7.6 mandates that upon the sale or transfer of any residence, the local fire department must inspect the residence for carbon monoxide alarm compliance. After a successful inspection, the local fire department will issue a Certificate of Compliance indicating that the residence meets the carbon monoxide alarm requirements. Smoke detector and CO alarm inspections can be conducted in the same visit.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements
Since March 31, 2006, carbon monoxide alarms have been required in all residences that have either: fossil fuel burning equipment or an attached enclosed garage. This law applied to all such residences whether or not the residence is being sold or transferred.

What is Fossil Fuel Burning Equipment?
Fossil fuel burning equipment is any device, apparatus or appliance that is designed or used to consume fuel of any kind which emits carbon monoxide as a by-product of combustion. Some examples of fossil fuel burning equipment are: gas water heaters, oil or gas furnaces, wood or gas fireplaces, wood pellet stoves, gas clothes dryers, or gas cooking stoves.

Typical One and Two Family Residences Built Before January 1, 1975
Smoke alarms are required as follows:

  • On every habitable level of the residence.
  • In the basement.
  • On the ceiling at the base of each stairway leading to a floor above including the basement (but not within stairways).
  • On the ceiling outside each separate sleeping area.
  • Must be photoelectric. (Can be in combination with ionization or carbon monoxide.)
  • May be battery-powered, hardwired, or a combination of both.
  • Smoke alarms cannot be more than 10 years old or exceed the manufacturer’s recommended life, whichever comes first.
  • In two-family dwellings, smoke alarms are required in common areas shared by residents.

New or Replacement alarms:

  • Must be photoelectric. (Can be in combination with ionization or carbon monoxide.)
  • Must contain a hush feature to silence nuisance alarms.
  • Battery-powered alarms must have 10-year, sealed, non-rechargeable, non-replaceable batteries.
  • Household fire alarm systems (low-voltage) are exempt from the dual detection requirement.


Carbon monoxide alarms are required as follows:

  • On every level of the residence, including basements and walk up attics and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
  • Combination detectors (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may be used if the detector is within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower).
  • Combination detectors (ionization smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may be used if the detector is outside of 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower).
  • Combination detectors must have both a tone and simulated voice alarm to distinguish the type of emergency.
  • May be either: battery powered, plug-in with battery backup, hardwired with battery backup, or system type.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement.

Typical One and Two Family Residences Permitted Between 1975 and August 27, 1997
Smoke detectors are required as follows:

  • One smoke detector on every level of the residence.
  • One smoke detector on the ceiling at the base of each stairway.
  • One smoke detector on the ceiling outside of each separate sleeping area.
  • A minimum of one smoke detector must be installed for every 1,200 square feet of living space per level.
  • Must be hardwired interconnected smoke detectors.
  • Carbon monoxide alarms are required as follows:
  • On every level of the residence, including basements and walk up attics and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
  • Combination detectors (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may be used anywhere.
  • Combination detectors (ionization smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may be used if the detector is outside of 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower).
  • Combination detectors must have both a tone and simulated voice alarm to distinguish the type of emergency. – May be either: battery powered, plug-in with battery backup, hardwired with battery backup, or system type.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement.

Typical One and Two Family Residences Permitted after August 27, 1997
Smoke detectors are required as follows:

  • One smoke detector on every level of the residence.
  • One smoke detector at the base of each stairway.
  • One smoke detector outside of each separate sleeping area.
  • One smoke detector inside every bedroom.
  • A minimum of one smoke detector must be installed for every 1,200 square feet of living space per level.
  • Must be hardwired and interconnected smoke detectors with battery backup.
  • If the smoke detector is within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower), the smoke detector is required to be a photoelectric detector.
  • Carbon monoxide alarms are required as follows:
  • On every level of the residence, including basements and walk up attics and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
  • Combination detectors (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may be used anywhere.
  • Combination detectors (ionization smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may be used if the detector is outside of 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower).
  • Combination detectors must have both a tone and simulated voice alarm to distinguish the type of emergency.
  • May be either: battery powered, plug-in with battery backup, hardwired with battery backup, or system type.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement.

Typical One and Two Family Residences Permitted on or After January 1, 2008
Smoke detectors are required as follows:

Requirements for 3-5 Family Dwellings
Massachusetts Generals Laws Chapter 148 Section 26E (B ,C ) states the following:
(b) Buildings or structures occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and containing not less than three nor more than five units and not regulated by section twenty-six A, twenty-six B or twenty-six C shall be equipped with approved smoke detectors. Owners of such buildings or structures shall install either an approved monitored battery powered smoke detector or an approved primary power smoke detector outside each separate sleeping area; provided, however, that the head of the fire department shall allow the installation of approved monitored battery powered smoke detectors; and provided, further, that in all common hallways and basements of said residential buildings or structures a series of interconnected approved primary power smoke detectors shall be installed.

(c) For the purposes of this section, approved primary power shall mean an alternating current primary source of electric power furnished by an electric power or light company municipally operated or operating under the authority of the department of telecommunications and energy which is the primary source of electricity or is a secondary source but is permanently wired thereto and will become operational upon the failure of the primary source of power.