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Whenever a home is sold in Massachusetts, the smoke detector law requires that the local fire department issue a certification that the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly and are in the correct location.
There is a new smoke detector regulation going into effect on April 5, 2010.
The new regulations require that certain properties be equipped with the latest photoelectric smoke detectors which are not as prone to false alarms as older ionization based detectors.
Currently, there are two primary detection methods used in modern smoke detectors: photoelectric and ionization. Ionization detectors are often faster to alert than photoelectric detectors, but they are prone to false alarms such as when steam from a shower or other source interrupts the current. Photoelectric detectors emit a beam of light. They are less sensitive to false alarms from steam or cooking fumes but can take longer than ionization detectors to alert.
Under the new regulation, a smoke detectors utilizing both technologies are required in the same locations, except within 20 feet of a kitchen or a bathroom containing a bathtub or shower. Within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom containing a bathtub or shower, only a photoelectric smoke detectors are allowed. Ionization detectors are prohibited in these places due to their tendency to be set off by steam.
The new regulations will apply to all single family homes sold on or after April 5 , 2010. They will also apply to all apartment buildings sold or transferred after April 5 , 2010, which are less than 70 feet tall, have less than six units, or have not been substantially altered since January 1, 1975. Larger apartment buildings or those that were substantially altered since January, 1975 were already required to upgrade their fire safety systems under other existing laws.
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