There are new regulations for the type and placement of smoke alarms in residential properties in Madison.
An ordinance passed Tuesday night by the City Council requires the devices in every bedroom and on every floor in all homes and apartments. The units must either be wired to the building's power or feature tamper-resistant batteries with at least a 10-year lifespan. Devices powered by 9-volt batteries are no longer allowed.
Alderman Mike Verveer introduced the legislation in November on the one year anniversary of a house fire on Bedford Street that killed a man and injured three others. The victim was in town to visit his brother, a student at UW-Madison. Verveer says he toured the burned house and saw smoke alarms laying on top of a refrigerator with the batteries removed. He says the new regulations will ensure that every living quarter in the city will have a working detector.
Landlords have until August 15 to comply with the ordinance. In addition to installing the new smoke alarms as needed, they must also provide fire safety information to each tenant at least once a year. Tenants can now be fined for tampering or disabling a smoke alarm.
Homeowners have until August 15, 2010 to make the transition.
Verveer says the ordinance will be enforced by complaints and through the city's normal fire and building inspection process.