Massachusetts Smoke & Carbon Monoxide
Detector Laws
Whenever a home is sold in Massachusetts, it is required that the home is inspected by the local fire department for properly working smoke detectors, as well as carbon monoxide detectors. Massachusetts has had their smoke detector law in place for decades and is designed to save lives. A property can not change hands without a certificate issued by the local fire department. Carbon Monoxide detectors are required in any residence that has fossil-fuel burning equipment including, but not limited to, a furnace, boiler, water heater, fireplace or any other apparatus, appliance or device; or has enclosed parking within its structure. Our department can assist you with any questions or concerns you might have on compliance with both smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm requirements. To arrange for an inspection or for assistance with
questions, you can contact the Wayland Fire Department at 508-358-4747.
Two Types of Smoke Detector Technology
There are two primary detection methods used in today’s smoke detectors. They can be either ionization or photoelectric. Ionization detectors typically have a constant current running between two electrodes. When smoke hits the device, it blocks the current which causes the alarm to trip. Ionization detectors usually activate faster than photoelectric detectors. The problem with ionization detectors though is that they are unable to differentiate between smoke and steam. This makes them prone to false alarms when steam from a shower or other source contacts the detector. This is especially true when the ionization detector is placed near a kitchen or bathroom. Photoelectric detectors use a beam of light. This beam passes in front of the detector in a straight line. When smoke crosses the path of the light beam, some light is scattered
by the smoke particles causing it to trigger the alarm. Photoelectric detectors are less sensitive to false alarms from steam or cooking fumes but can take longer than ionization detectors to work. Another major concern was that ionization detectors do not offer the best protection in smoldering fires which are some of the deadliest blazes across the country. Photoelectric smoke alarms are more sensitive to smoldering smokey fires. Most of the homes across the country have ionization detectors which are more sensitive to flaming fires.
In 2007, WBZ News in Boston tested both types of smoke alarms. In a smoky fire the photoelectric detector sounded the warning first. While it took almost 17 minutes more before the ionization alarm finally went off! The debate in Massachusetts has been whether to require property owners to replace their ionization detectors with photoelectric detectors. Home owners have raised concerns about the cost of replacing smoke detectors that still function properly. Fire departments have suggested that the elimination of false alarms outweighs the additional expense that home owners will need to deal with.
New Fire Detector Regulations
Since there are strengths and weaknesses of photoelectric versus ionization smoke detectors, the Board of Fire Prevention Regulation has passed a new regulation (527 CMR 32.00 et seq). According to the new regulation, owners of certain residential buildings will be required to install and maintain both the ionization and photoelectric smoke detectors. While the new regulation does not change the locations where smoke detectors are required, it does allow the installation of both technologies in certain locations.
 Under the new regulation, an ionization detector can not be placed within 20 feet of a kitchen or a bathroom containing a shower or a tub. In these locations only a photo electronic detector is allowed. Ionization and photo electronic detectors are required in all other areas of the home as mandated by the law. If you are selling your home in Massachusetts one other law that you need to be aware of is what is known as Nicole's Law. As of March 2006 when a home is transferred you need to have working carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon Monoxide detectors are required in any residence that has fossil-fuel burning equipment including, but not limited to, a furnace, boiler, water heater, fireplace or any other apparatus, appliance or device; or has enclosed parking within its structure. Unfortunately, the law is named for 7-year-old Nicole
Garofalo who died in January 2005 when a heating vent in her house was blocked by snow drifts, allowing carbon monoxide to accumulate in the home. According to the carbon monoxide regulations, you need to have a detector on each habitable level of the home. Further there must be a detector placed outside, but within ten feet of all the bedroom doors. The detectors do not need to be hard wired. A plug-in or battery operated detector meets the requirements and usually the most viable choice.
Here are all the types are carbon monoxide detectors that are allowed:
• Battery powered with battery monitoring;
• Plug-in (AC powered) units with battery backup;
• AC primary power (hard-wired ((usually involves hiring an electrician)) with battery backup;
• Low-voltage or wireless alarms with secondary power; and
• Qualified combination smoke detectors and CO alarms
The inspection for both the smoke and carbon detectors can be done by the Wayland Fire Department. Certificates of compliance are valid for sixty (60) days. The certificate of compliance will need to be brought to the closing. The lenders attorney will most certainly ask for this document and you will not be able to close on your property without it! The Town of Wayland charges a fee of $50.00 for this compliance inspection.
To arrange for an inspection contact our department at 508-358-4747.
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