[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.
DWELLING UNIT
As used in this article, the following words shall
have the meanings indicated:
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.
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.
