Why do I need to replace or upgrade my Smoke Detectors?
Having working smoke detectors in your home is not only important for your safety, but also is required by Massachusetts codes. While having smoke detectors has been code for your home for a long time and it is most likely you already have them in your home, in the recent past there have been some important changes to the code requirements.
One of the changes is the requirement for smoke detectors to be hard wired in your home. When you are required by the town to change or work on your smoke detectors, you will be required by the building code to upgrade those to be hardwired in your home.
There have also been requirements added that require homes to have working Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Many times, when installing new Smokes Detectors, you can have one unit that is both a CO and a smoke detectors in one unit.
Most people say to us, well I already have smoke and CO detectors in our house, why do we have to change them? It is common for Building Department to require you, to upgrade or expand the existing units to meet the code for placements of these detectors. The Building Code now requires these detectors to be located in each bedroom of your home. It is usually up to the local official’s discretion if you project meets the requirements to upgrade your smoke detectors. This is generally triggered by larger projects or projects that affect/remodel a bedroom area.
In addition, research into smoke detectors longevity has concluded that hard-wired as well as battery-operated devices should be replaced every 10 years, or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested. The manufacturing industry also recommends that smoke alarm detector heads should be replaced every decade.
It is important to remember that these codes are put into place and designed to help maintain the safety of your home. Updating smoke alarms to comply with the most recent law saves lives. Nearly two-thirds of fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Making sure that your system is up to date and has all the built in redundancies, will ensure that in the event there is a fire or CO leak in your home, you will be able to get out safe and sound.
If you have questions about your home improvement project or would like more information Contact Almar: https://www.almarbuilding.com (781-826-2577) and watch our videos: http://www.youtube.com/almarbuilding
no images were found
************************************************************************
Almar Building & Remodeling Co (Hanover Ma). As a third-generation family owned and operated company for over 60 years Almar Building has all the benefits of a small company with the options of a larger company. From Additions, Kitchens, Bathroom, Basement Renovations, Siding, Windows, to Doors Almar services the entire South Shore of Massachusetts including: Hanover, Hingham, Pembroke, Norwell, Scituate, Cohasset, Duxbury, Hanson, Abington, Rockland, Holbrook, Braintree, Weymouth, Milton, and many more towns. Why do I need to replace or upgrade my Smoke Detectors?
