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NSPIRE - Smoke Alarms

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ATTENTION: Additional Smoke Alarm Requirements effective December 29, 2024.

 On January 1, 2015, the Florida Statute changed the requirement of smoke detectors as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of families residing in single family and duplex units. Florida Statute 553.883 indicates that smoke alarms in one-family and two-family dwellings and townhomes undergoing a repair, or a level 1 alteration as defined in the Florida Building Code, may use smoke alarms powered by 10-year non-removable, non-replaceable batteries in lieu of retrofitting such dwelling with smoke alarms powered by the dwelling's electrical system. The Tampa Housing Authority further adopted this guideline in its Administrative Plan.

In the 2023 Appropriations Act,  Housing and Urban Development (HUD) communicated the timeline in the PIH Notice 2024-26, ReV-1 requiring all smoke alarms be either hard wired or sealed, 10-year battery devices by December 29, 2024.  This notice clarifies that HUD will enforce the requirements instituted by Congress requiring that all Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project Based Vouchers (PBV) comply with smoke alarms revision by December 29,  2024. Housing Agencies are required to comply with the Federal Fire Safety Act of 1992 and keep their Housing Quality Standard or NSPIRE inspections current with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards, currently NFPA 72.  

 Smoke alarms must be replaced with smoke alarms that are either:

·        Hardwired OR

·        Sealed with an internal, non-replaceable 10-year battery

·        Must be tamper-resistant and have a way to silence the alarm.

Required Location(s):

At least one on each level of the unit and in or near each sleeping area. Smoke alarms should be installed on ceilings or high on walls:

·        If mounted on the ceiling, then they must be at least 4 inches from the wall.

·        If mounted on the wall, then they cannot be closer than 4 inches or further than 12 inches from the ceiling.

NSPIRE Standards: How to Inspect: Smoke Alarms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCGQMtVXvgo

US Inspection Group - 2 Minutes On Smoke Detectors https://usinspectiongroup.com/2-minutes-on-smoke-detectors/