[Added 9-1-1983; amended 11-1-1984]
A. 
Every building or structure not exceeding 70 feet in height above the mean grade erected or substantially altered to be occupied for residential purposes shall be protected with an approved automatic fire warning system in accordance with the provisions of the State Building Code. Such system shall include the features of automatic smoke detection in conjunction with the approved fire detection devices.
B. 
The head of the Fire Department shall enforce the provisions of this section.
C. 
Whoever is aggrieved by the head of the Fire Department's interpretation, order, requirement, direction or failure to act under the provisions of this section, may, within 45 days after the service of notice thereof, appeal from such interpretation, order, requirement, direction, or failure to act, to the Board of Appeals as provided in the State Building Code and MGL c. 143, § 93 et seq.
A. 
Apartment houses containing six or more dwelling units, hotels, boarding- or lodging houses, or family hotels which are not regulated by MGL c. 148, § 26A, or § 183-7 of this article shall be equipped with automatic smoke and heat detectors by January 1, 1985, in each dwelling unit and each hallway floor in accordance with Board of Fire Prevention Regulation 527 CMR 24.00 as amended.
B. 
The head of the Fire Department shall enforce the provisions of this section.
As used in this section and §§ 183-10 and 183-11, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
APPROVED MONITORED BATTERY POWER SMOKE DETECTOR
A smoke detector which is activated by a battery power source, provided that the battery is monitored to assure that the following conditions are met:
A. 
A distinctive audible trouble signal is given before the battery is incapable of operating the device for alarm purposes, and that such audible trouble signal is produced at least once every minute for seven consecutive days; and
B. 
The unit is capable of producing an alarm signal for at least four continuous minutes at the battery voltage at which a trouble signal is normally obtained followed by seven days of trouble signal operation; and
C. 
The monitored batteries meeting these specifications are clearly identified on the unit near the battery compartment.
APPROVED PRIMARY POWER SMOKE DETECTOR
A smoke detector which is activated by being permanently wired to a source of alternating current electric power or connected to a source of alternating current electric power by an underwriter's laboratory approved cord with a strain relief and plug retainer, provided that:
A. 
All power supplies shall be sufficient to operate the alarm signal for at least four continuous minutes; and
B. 
All such detector systems shall be installed in accordance with the Massachusetts Electrical Code.
COMMON HALLWAY
A common corridor or space separately enclosed which provides common access to the required exitways of the residential building or structure.
SEPARATE SLEEPING AREA
The area or areas of the dwelling unit in which the bedrooms, or sleeping rooms, are located. Bedrooms, or sleeping rooms, separated by other use areas, such as kitchens or living rooms, but not bathrooms, shall be considered as separate sleeping areas.
In buildings or structures occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and not regulated by MGL, c. 148, § 26A, and §§ 183-7 and 183-8 of this article shall, by January 1, 1985, be equipped with an approved monitored battery power smoke detector or an approved primary power smoke detector. For buildings or structures occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and containing a maximum of two dwelling units, either an approved monitored battery power smoke detector or an approved primary power smoke detector shall be installed on each level of habitation and on the basement level; provided, however, that the head of the Fire Department shall allow the installation of approved monitored battery power smoke detectors. Such approved monitored battery power smoke detector or approved primary power smoke detector shall be installed in the following manner: an approved monitored battery power smoke detector or an approved primary power smoke detector shall be installed on the ceiling of each stairway leading to the floor above, near the base of but not within each stairway, and an approved monitored battery power smoke detector or an approved primary smoke detector shall be installed outside of each separate sleeping area. For buildings or structures occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and containing not less than three nor more than five dwelling units, either an approved monitored battery power smoke detector or an approved primary power smoke detector shall be installed in each dwelling unit outside each separate sleeping area; provided, however, that the head of the Fire Department shall allow the installation of approved monitored battery power smoke detectors; and provided, further, that in all common hallways of residential buildings or structures a series of interconnected approved primary power smoke detectors shall be installed. The head of the Fire Department shall enforce the provisions of this section.
A. 
All buildings or structures occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and not regulated by MGL c. 148, § 26A, and §§ 183-7 and 183-8 of this article shall upon sale of transfer of such building or structure, be equipped by the seller with smoke detectors as provided in § 183-10 of this article.
B. 
The fee for inspection by the head of the Fire Department or his representative shall be as set forth in Chapter 174, Fees. The head of the Fire Department shall enforce the provisions of this section.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).