3-12 SMOKE DETECTOR ORDINANCE

12.1
It shall be the responsibility of the owner of each new dwelling unit and each new and existing rental unit to install and maintain smoke detectors in each such dwelling as hereinafter provided. Said smoke detectors shall be capable of sensing visible or invisible particles of combustion and providing a suitable audible alarm thereof. Said alarms shall be installed within twelve months of the adoption of this Ordinance in the manner hereinafter provided. Failure to install smoke detectors as and where required by said date will subject the property owner to the penalties as hereinafter set forth.

12.2 Location

At least one smoke detector shall be installed on every occupied level of the dwelling unit. At least one smoke detector shall be installed at the head (top) of each stairway leading up to an occupied area in such a manner as to insure that rising smoke is not obstructed in reaching the detector and the detector intercepts rising smoke before it reaches the sleeping area.

12.3
As an alternative to self-contained smoke detectors, an approved detection system may be installed. Each fire detection system must be individually approved and a permit issued therefore by the Kennebunk Fire Department.

12.4
All devices, combinations of devices and equipment required herein are to be installed in conformance with Section 3-12 and with all other applicable state and municipal building codes. Upon the rental, sale or renovation of any dwelling unit, the Fire Department may check all devices, combination of devices, and equipment required herein which is in place. The Fire Department may, in each such case, determine whether replacement of existing installation shall be required or additional installation shall be required or some combination thereof shall be required. Renovation as used in Section 3-12 means such renovation as requires the issuance of a building permit or permits.

12.5
In new residential dwellings, smoke detectors shall be wired directly (hard-wired) to the buildings' power supply. In existing dwellings within multi-family buildings, the detectors shall meet multi-family building power source requirements of state law, or in the absence of state law, the requirements hereunder covering other existing dwellings. In other existing dwellings said detectors may be powered by self-monitored battery or operated in a plug-in outlet which is fitted with a plug restrainer device, provided the outlet is not controlled by any switch other than the main power supply.

12.6
Section 3-12 is intended to be used with and supplemented by the applicable current provisions of the National Fire Protection Association Standard 72E-80, entitled Automatic Fire Detectors, and Standard 74-80, entitled Household Fire Warning Equipment, which are hereby incorporated by reference; however, if there shall be any conflict between Section 3-12 and the said supplemental standards, Section 3-12 and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto shall prevail.

12.7
Any person in violation of any of the provisions of Section 3-12 shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in an amount as set by the Board of Selectmen’s fee schedule. Each day, after a two-week time for correction of the violation has been given in an order, shall constitute a continuing violation and the amount of fine as set by the Board of Selectmen’s fee schedule each day said violation continues 12.8 Fees shall be as shown on a fee schedule set by vote of the Board of Selectmen each year, after notice and hearing. ( 06-12-2002)