Massachusetts Fire Safety Code and Regulations Explained

New codes and regulations from the State Fire Marshall may make passing the required smoke inspection even more confusing then before. If you are currently selling your home or plan to sell in the near future the new code will apply to you now as well as in the future. Every home that is to be sold in Massachusetts will need to pass a smoke detector inspection preformed by the local fire department. Owners and real estate agents have long struggled with the correct placement of detectors as well compliance of additional regulations of the code. This new code may only add to the confusion.

The updated code requires that homes install photoelectric smoke detectors throughout the property. Photoelectric detectors measure light, or the lack of light in a certain area. The change in light can be measured at a distance while in order to trigger a ionized detector the smoke must physically enter the detector to trigger the alarm. The idea of using a photoelectric smoke detector is that the detector will sense visible smoke particles quicker then an ionized detector. Smoke particles accumulate in a slow smoldering fire, which is common in household fires started on furniture or in a bed. The down fall is that photoelectric detectors tend to be larger then typical detectors and more importantly, they are much more expensive.

Photoelectric smoke detectors are less sensitive then the popular ionized version. In the past Ionized detectors have been known to trigger the alarm from steam or even stovetop cooking. For this reason, if the home has ionized detectors they cannot be placed within 20 feet of a bathroom or kitchen to avoid false alarms. Outside of the 20 feet, a combination detector of both ionized and photoelectric detector is required. Correct placement of both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors include: within 10 feet of each bedroom, base of the each set of stairs and one on each finished level. Carbon monoxide detectors are only required in homes that use fossil burning fuel such as gas or oil, as well as homes that have a fireplace. Homes or condo’s that are solely electric and do not have a fireplace will not require a carbon monoxide detector in addition to the required smoke detectors.

Although this new code does not go into affect until January 1st, 2010 many home owners may experience this change immediately.

If you are looking to sell a home in Quincy MA, Weymouth MA, Braintree MA or the entire South Shore Massachusetts call Madelene Semeria at (617) 894-1124 or visit http://www.Ma-HomesForSale.com