[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of West Seneca 12-2-1985. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building Code administration and enforcement — See Ch. 55.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 75.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 92.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 103.
A. 
The Town Board hereby finds and declares that smoke detectors, when properly installed and maintained, are of significant value in the preservation of public safety and welfare, and minimizes property loss in case of fire.
B. 
In consideration of the foregoing, and in accordance with the specifications of the Town Board to enact legislation, it is directed that smoke detectors be installed in all existing dwellings, multiple dwellings, and commercial and industrial structures.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPROVED DETECTORS
Any battery-powered, alternating-current-powered or combination battery-powered/alternating-current-powered ionization, or photoelectric-type detector that bears the approval stamp or mark of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., or another recognized testing laboratory.
APPROVED MANNER
That the unit or units are positioned or located and installed per the manufacturer's instructions. Approved wiring shall be as prescribed by the New York Board of Fire Underwriters.
INSPECTION DEPARTMENT
Any use of this phrase refers to the Town Building Inspector, Assistant and/or Fire Inspector.
SMOKE DETECTOR
Any device designed and tested for the express purpose of detecting products of combustion, either visible or invisible, and bearing the mark or stamp of approval of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., or another nationally recognized testing laboratory.
SPRINKLER SYSTEM
A system of water supply, distribution and application appurtenances designed, tested and installed in strict accordance with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
A. 
Dwellings. Smoke detectors shall be installed and maintained operable in accordance with the provisions of this chapter in all dwellings and multiple dwellings as same are defined in New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code[1] adopted by the Town of West Seneca.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Executive Law § 370 et seq.
B. 
Commercial and industrial buildings. Smoke detectors shall be hard wired for installation and maintained in an operable condition at all times in accordance with the provisions of this chapter in all new commercial and industrial buildings and all existing commercial and industrial buildings.
[Amended 2-5-1990; 11-28-2011 by L.L. No. 10-2011]
C. 
The exceptions to the applicability requirements of this section are: in special or unique types of occupancies, where a smoke detector system may be ineffective due to the constant presence of internal combustion, engine exhaust, steam or other substance which would cause frequent false alarms, another type of system, approved by the Inspection Department of the Town of West Seneca, shall be installed.
A. 
Any smoke detector installed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be an approved type.
B. 
Battery-operated smoke detectors may be installed in existing buildings, provided that such detectors are maintained in accordance with provisions of this chapter and upon written approval of the Code Enforcement Officer.
[Amended 11-28-2011 by L.L. No. 10-2011]
C. 
Alternating-current-powered smoke detectors shall have electrical wiring installed in an approved manner.
A. 
Installation of smoke detectors shall be in accordance with the provisions of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Executive Law § 370 et seq.
B. 
The building owner or his agent shall be responsible for the installation.
C. 
A no-fee permit shall be required for the installation. These permits shall be issued by the Inspection Department of the Town of West Seneca.
D. 
The building owner or his agent shall provide or post within each guest room or multiple dwelling unit written operating instructions for the smoke detectors installed therein.
Maintenance of smoke detectors shall be the responsibility of the building owner or his agent in accordance with the following provisions:
A. 
Battery-powered smoke detectors shall have new batteries installed therein in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
B. 
Necessary maintenance or replacement of smoke detectors shall be the responsibility of the building owner or his agent; provided, however, that the renter or lessee shall notify the building owner or his agent of the need for such maintenance or replacement.
C. 
The building owner or his agent shall assume no liability in the event that any unauthorized person, renter or lessee tampers with, attempts to repair or damages any smoke detector so as to render it inoperative.
Smoke detectors required by this chapter shall be installed and operational in all affected buildings in accordance with the provision of this chapter but in no event later than one year after the adoption of this chapter.
The building owner or his agent shall be required to certify that smoke detectors have been installed in accordance with this chapter. Such written certification shall be furnished to the Inspection Department once a year, on June 30 of each and every year. The Inspection Department shall have the right to inspect annually any building which is required to be in compliance with this chapter.
Any person or persons, association or corporation violating the provisions of this chapter, the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code,[1] or any section or provision thereof is guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $250, or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 days for each such offense, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Executive Law § 370 et seq.