Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements
Requirements When Selling a One- or Two-Family Dwelling
Smoke Alarms
Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 148 section 26F mandates that upon sale or transfer of certain homes, the seller must install approved smoke alarms. These requirements apply to residences that were built or modified prior to creation of the Massachusetts State Building code (January 1, 1975). If a building was built or has undergone substantial renovation (50% of walls and ceilings open to framing, addition of bedrooms), addition or modification after January 1, 1975, the date the building permit was issued determines the smoke alarm requirements.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Massachusetts General Law, chapter 148 section 26F ½ and 527 CMR 1.00:13.7.6 mandates that upon 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 and Carbon Monoxide alarm inspections can be conducted in the same visit.
If you have any questions about the guidance provided, please contact Captain Dave Shinney at 781-246-6435 x4 or dshinney@wakefield.ma.us.
Conducting an Inspection
Please call 781-246-6435 Ext 3 to schedule an inspection appointment. After inspection, you will receive your compliance form. The following information is needed to successfully conduct an inspection:
- The year the property was built.
- Whether the property has undergone substantial renovation (50% of walls and ceilings open to framing), addition of bedrooms and addition or modification made after January 1, 1975.
The device shall be removed before testing to verify type (photoelectric) and date.
Guidance and Requirements
- before January 1, 1975
- January 1, 1975 to August 27, 1997
- August 27, 1997 to December 31, 2007
- January 1, 2008 to August 3, 2011
- August 4, 2011 to December 31, 2017
- January 1, 2018 and later
- General guidance
Typical one- and two-family dwellings built before January 1, 1975
Smoke alarms are required:
- On every habitable level of the residence, including basements.
- On the ceiling at the base of each stairway leading to a floor above, including the basement (but not within the stairway).
- On the ceiling outside each separate sleeping area.
- Must be photoelectric.
- May be battery powered, hardwired, or a combination of both.
- Smoke alarms cannot be more than 10 years old (527 CMR 1 13.10.7.1).
- Existing alarms that are less than 10 years old (manufacture date before 12/1/16):
- If the smoke alarm is within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (shower & tub) the alarm is required to be photoelectric only.
- If the smoke alarm is outside of 20 feet from a kitchen or bathroom (shower and tub), the alarm is required to be a photoelectric/ionization combination detector.
- New or replacement alarms:
- Must be photoelectric. Can be in combination with carbon monoxide alarm.
- Must contain a hush feature to silence alarms.
- Battery powered alarms must have 10-year, sealed, non-rechargeable, non-replaceable battery.
- Example: new battery-powered alarms installed after December 1, 2016 must be 10-year sealed, non-rechargeable, non-replaceable battery powered alarms.
Carbon Monoxide alarms are required:
- On every level of the residence, including habitable portions of basements and attics, and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
- Combination photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide alarms may be used.
- Combination alarms 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, or hardwired with battery backup.
- Manufacturer’s instructions should be followed for installation and placement.
Typical one- and two-family dwellings permitted between January 1, 1975 and August 27, 1997 (780 CMR 1-5th Edition)
Smoke alarms are required:
- On every habitable level of the residence, including basements.
- On the ceiling at the base of each stairway.
- On the ceiling outside each separate sleeping area.
- A minimum of one smoke alarm must be installed for every 1,200 square feet of living space.
- Must be hardwired interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms.
Carbon Monoxide alarms are required:
- On every level of the residence, including habitable portions of basements and attics, and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
- Combination alarms (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide alarms) may be used.
- Combination alarms must have both a tone and simulated voice alarm to distinguish the type and emergency.
- May be either battery powered or plug-in with battery backup.
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions for installation and placement.
Typical one- and two-family dwellings permitted between August 27, 1997 and December 31, 2007 (780 CMR 6th Edition)
- On every habitable level, including basements.
- At the base of each stairway.
- Outside of each separate sleeping area.
- Inside every bedroom.
- A minimum of one smoke alarm must be installed for every 1,200 square feet of living space per level.
- Must be hardwired and interconnected photoelectric smoke alarm with battery backup.
- Minimum of 36 inches from HVAC supply vents, tips of ceiling fan blades, and bathroom doors (shower and tub).
- More than 12 smoke alarms requires a low voltage system.
Carbon Monoxide alarms are required:
- On every level of the residence, including habitable portions of basements and attics, and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
- Combination alarms (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide) may be used.
- Combination alarms must have both a tone and simulated voice alarm to distinguish the type of emergency.
- May be either battery powered or plug-in type with battery backup.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and placement.
Typical one and two family dwellings permitted between January 1, 2008 and August 3, 2011 (780 CMR 7th Edition)
- On every habitable level of the residence, including basements.
- At the base of each stairway.
- Outside of each separate sleeping area.
- Inside every bedroom.
- A minimum of one smoke alarm must be installed for every 1,200 square feet of living space per level.
- Must be hardwired and interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms with battery backup.
- More than 12 smoke alarms requires low voltage system.
- Minimum of 36 inches from HVAC supply vents, tips of ceiling fan blades, and bathroom doors (shower and tub).
Carbon Monoxide alarms are required:
- On every level of the residence, including habitable portions of basements and attics, and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
- Combination alarms (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide alarm) may be used.
- Must be hardwired and interconnected with battery backup. May be separately wired from the existing smoke detection system.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instruction for installation and placement.
Heat alarms are required:
- Must have a single heat alarm in any garage attached to or under the residence.
- Must be hardwired and interconnected with or without battery backup to the existing smoke detection system.
- Heat alarms are not required in garages of older homes unless renovation, addition, or modification occured after January 1, 2008.
Typical one- and two-family dwellings permitted between August 4, 2011 and December 31, 2017 (780 CMR 8th Edition)
Smoke alarms are required:
- On every habitable level of the residence, including basements.
- At the base of each stairway.
- Outside of each separate sleeping area.
- Inside every sleeping area.
- A minimum of one smoke alarm must be installed for every 1,200 feet of living space per level.
- Must be hardwired and interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms with battery backup.
- More than 12 smoke alarms requires low voltage system.
- Minimum of 36 inches from HVAC supply vents, tips of ceiling fan blades, and bathroom doors (shower & tub).
Carbon Monoxide alarms are required:
- On every level of the residence, including basements and habitable attics, and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
- Combination alarms (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide alarm) may be used.
- Must be hardwired and interconnected with battery backup. May be separately wired from existing system.
Heat alarms are required:
- Must have a single heat alarm in attached garage or garage with living space.
- Must be hardwired and interconnected with or without battery back up to the existing smoke detection system.
Typical one- and two-family dwellings permitted on or after January 1, 2018
Smoke alarms are required:
- On every habitable level of the residence, including basements.
- At the base of each stairway.
- Outside each separate sleeping area.
- Inside every bedroom.
- Minimum of one smoke alarm for every 1,000 square feet.
- More than 12 alarms requires a low voltage system.
- Minimum of 36 inches from HVAC supply vents, tips of ceiling fan blades, and bathroom doors (shower and tub).
Carbon Monoxide alarms are required:
- On every level of the residence, including basements and habitable attics, and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
- Combination alarms (photoelectric and carbon monoxide alarm) may be used.
- Must be hardwired and interconnected with battery backup. May be separately wired from existing system.
Heat alarms are required:
- Must have a single heat alarm in attached garage or garage with living space.
- Must be hardwired and interconnected with or without battery backup to the existing smoke detection system.
General Guidance
Triggers for an upgrade to the smoke and carbon monoxide requirement.
- Adding or creating new sleeping areas. This includes change-of-use of existing rooms to bedrooms (sleeping areas).
- Substantial renovation, gutting of dwelling; requires upgrade to current code.
- Refer to 780 CMR AJ102.3.1 (1), AJ102.3.2.
Wireless “one link” smoke alarms:
- Cannot be used for required device locations for dwellings built under a building code.
- Can be used in pre-1975 dwellings.
- Can be used as supplemental system.
- Must be a listed product (UL, ETL).
Smoke or heat alarms shall not be interconnected with alarms from other manufacturer’s unless listed as being compatible with the specific model.
Posted street numbers must be visible from the street (MGL c. 148 s59).