[Adopted 5-16-1978 by Ord. No. 15-78 (Ch. 46, Art. II, of the 1974 Code)]
A. 
Every one- and two-family dwelling unit or structure erected or substantially altered to be occupied for residential purposes shall be protected with an automatic smoke detection device or automatic smoke and heat detection devices primarily intended for the protection of life by indicating abnormal conditions as hereinafter provided.
B. 
As used in this article, the following words shall have the meanings indicated:
DWELLING UNIT
A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.
A. 
Smoke detectors shall be capable of sensing visible or invisible particles of combustion and providing a suitable audible alarm.
B. 
Smoke detector alarm signaling devices shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms when all intervening doors are closed.
C. 
Smoke detectors shall be either photoelectric-type or ionization-type detectors, or both.
A. 
All detectors shall be mounted on the ceiling.
B. 
At least one smoke detector shall be installed to protect each sleeping area. A sleeping area is defined as the area or areas of the family living unit in which the bedrooms or sleeping rooms are located. Where bedrooms or rooms ordinarily used for sleeping are separated by other use areas, such as kitchens or living rooms, but not bathrooms or closets, they shall be considered as separate sleeping areas for the purpose of this section.
C. 
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 assure that rising smoke is not obstructed in reaching the detector and that the detector intercepts rising smoke before it reaches the sleeping area.
A. 
No residential dwelling unit shall be sold or rented and no structural change or repair of a value in excess of $1,000 shall be made thereto unless and until the structure has installed therein an approved fire/smoke detection system which has been approved by the Fire Inspector of the City of Northfield.
B. 
Whenever a change in residence or ownership occurs in a residential dwelling unit, a certificate of occupancy must be obtained by the tenants. To secure this certificate, the new resident is required to install an approved smoke detector system within 30 days. A system of fines is provided as a means of enforcement of this article.
The Fire Inspector of the City of Northfield shall enforce the provisions of this article.
It shall be the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain, in operable condition, smoke detection systems installed as required pursuant to this article.
The penalty for violation of any provision of this article shall be as set forth in Chapter 1, General Provisions, § 1-15.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
Notification of this article shall be given to all applicants for building permits prior to the issuance of such permits. Upon the issuance of a building permit for new construction or alterations exceeding $1,000, notification of same shall be forwarded to the Fire Inspector of the City of Northfield.
Whenever the Fire Inspector of the City of Northfield shall disapprove an applicant or refuse to grant a certificate of occupancy applied for or when it is claimed that the provisions of the Code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of the Code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decision of the Fire Inspector to the City Board of Fire Appeal within 30 days from the date of the decision.
The provisions of this article shall apply without regard to the regulations of lenders or funding agencies and shall be in addition to any control exercised by such agencies concerning construction and fire protection requirements related to such construction.