§ 9-44-6. Fire protection equipment—Smoke detector devices—Required—Design—Installation and maintenance.

A.

Where required. Smoke detectors are required:

1.

In every existing dwelling unit within an apartment house, condominium complex, dormitory, townhouse or duplex; and

2.

Every existing guest room in a motel and hotel.

These occupancies shall be provided with an approved U.L. or F.M. -listed smoke detector(s). A smoke detector shall be installed to protect each separate sleeping area, which may consist of one bedroom, or immediately adjoining or adjacent bedroom units of two or more separate rooms; at the head of each stairway leading to an occupied area; and also at the head of each interior basement stairway. Where one smoke detector can be located outside the bedrooms but within the immediate vicinity of the sleeping area, one smoke detector may be so located and used. When activated, the detector(s) shall provide an alarm which shall be clearly audible in all bedroom units and over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed. The test of the audibility level shall be conducted with all household equipment in full operation. Examples of such household equipment are, but are not limited to, window air conditioners and room humidifiers. This test shall be conducted by the installer in the presence of the owner or his or her authorized representative. In the event an owner or his or her authorized agent cannot be present for an installation test, the installer shall submit to the owner a written notice that the smoke detectors were installed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and were tested and are properly functioning. Smoke detectors located in rooms with ceiling slopes greater than one foot rise per eight feet horizontally shall be located at the high side of the room. A smoke detector installed at the head of a stairway shall be so located as to assure that smoke rising in the stairwell cannot be prevented from reaching the detector by an intervening door or obstruction. Smoke detectors shall be located on or near the ceiling, in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

B.

Exception. Any residential unit or occupancy as set out in subsection A of this section, having in operation a form or system of electronic or other fire detection system, device or similar system, when approved by the fire official as an alternate alarm system shall be exempt from the equipment requirements of this section, as to all areas so protected.

C.

Responsibility. It shall be the responsibility of the owner, the lessor and/or the managing agent of all of the above-listed residential occupancies to provide and install smoke detectors in full operating condition. It shall be the occupants' responsibility to make operational safety tests and notify the owner, lessor and/or managing agent in writing of any malfunction. These operational tests, or inspections, as recommended by the manufacturer, shall be made by the occupant not less than once a month. Detector(s) installed in common corridors or at the head of common stairs shall be tested by the owner or his or her authorized agent periodically, but at least once a month. If the owner is also the occupant, the owner shall also make the test. It shall be the responsibility of the owner, lessor and/or managing agent to test the detectors at the time each unit is occupied to ensure they are operating properly. If batteries are used as a source of energy, they shall be replaced in accordance with the recommendations of the alarm equipment manufacturer.

D.

Interference. It is unlawful for any person to remove or to intentionally interfere with the proper operation of any required smoke detectors.

E.

Definition. "Smoke detector," whenever used in this section, means a fire alarm device capable of sensing visible or invisible particles of combustion, and providing suitable alarm audible in all sleeping areas and stairways as set out in this section.

(Code 1967, § 17-131; Code 1985, § 14-106; Ord. No. 3114, § 1, 4-14-1981; Ord. No. 3234, § 1, 7-20-1982)

State law reference

Smoke detectors, T.C.A. § 68-102-151.