DUXBURY FIRE DEPARTMENT
In case of an emergency dial 911
Smoke Detector Inspection
Selling a house?
Schedule your smoke and carbon monoxide inspection by calling the Duxbury Fire Department at (781) 934-5693.
Before your Inspection
Review the following requirements:
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House numbers must be visible, on the house, a minimum of 3” high. For houses with long driveways, numbers must also be at the end of the driveway and visible from the street.
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Smoke detectors cannot be more than 10 years old.
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CO detectors can not be older than 7 years and must have a battery or be plug-in/hard-wired with a battery backup.
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Smoke/CO combination detectors must be simulated voice and tone alarm features.
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If there is a detector in the garage, it must be a heat detector. Heat detectors are not required in garages of older homes unless renovation, addition, or modification occurs after Jan 1, 2008
Inspection Requirements: Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Requirements
Additional Requirements
PER MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF FIRE SERVICES AS OF 12/1/2016
GENERAL 26F INSPECTION GUIDELINES - SEE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE SERVICES (DFS) FOR "REQUIREMENTS"
Effective Dec. 1, 2016, the requirements for smoke detectors in one to two family homes has changed. These rules apply to homes built prior to January 1, 1975 that have not had a major renovation or addition.
1
RESIDENCES BUILT PRIOR TO 1975
Without major renovations, battery operated detectors are required.
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Smoke detectors are at the base of any stairway.
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Smoke detectors are within 10 feet of any sleeping area.
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Carbon Monoxide detectors are within 10 feet of any sleeping area and on any floor that includes habitable space (more than 1200 sq. ft. per floor requires additional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors).
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Photoelectric smoke detectors are the only acceptable detectors. Should you choose to have additional detectors, it is allowed.
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If a residence has greater than 1200 sq. ft. of living space on a single level, a second detector is required.
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Detectors cannot be older than ten (10) years.
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Detectors must have UL stamp (United Listed).
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Homes with major renovations must conform to the building code required when the renovation occurred.
2
RESIDENCES BUILT AFTER 1975
1975-1998 - Hard-wired detectors
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The regulations for hardwired detectors have not changed.
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Hard-wired photoelectric detectors throughout are required. Detectors must not be older than ten (10) years or beyond the manufacturer's date of expiration.
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Combo detectors require either a voice mode or distinctive tones to identify the hazard for hard-wired systems prior to August 2008.
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Battery or plug in CO detectors are acceptable, after that they are required to be hardwired.
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We recommend residential homeowners to have a licensed electrician install smoke detectors.
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Detectors must have UL stamp (United Listed).
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1998-2011 - Hard-wired detectors (residence built after 1998-2011).​
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3
RESIDENCES BUILT
2011- CURRENT
SEE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE SERVICES (DFS) FOR "REQUIREMENTS"
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All bedrooms must have hard-wired photoelectric smoke detectors. Detectors must have UL stamp (United Listed).
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NOTE: IF HARD-WIRED, SMOKE DETECTORS MUST BE INTERCONNECTED TO RING SIMULTANEOUSLY.
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NOTE: IF HARD-WIRED, BATTERY OPERATED CANNOT BE USED TO REPLACE.
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