If you're putting in a new hot water heater or adding a room to your home, the city has a surprise for you.
You may need new smoke alarms, and lots of them. Luckily, the city will supply the alarms.
According to the International Building Code, which the city adheres to, an older home that undergoes interior work is classified as a new home in terms of smoke detectors.
That means the house must have smoke alarms in every room where someone sleeps, outside every room where someone sleeps, and on every level of the house, including the basement.
The fire department used to give out and install the alarms, but that job now rests with the Building Code office.
What it means, really, is that when a contractor or a homeowner comes and pulls a permit to do work inside their home, we can explain the rule and give them the detectors, said Frank Kratz, the citys building code official. Then we will send out an inspector to make sure they are installed properly.
The alarms do not need to be hard wired, but are battery operated, according to officials.
Kratz said that when contractors are doing the work, they assume responsibility for installation and they may choose to bill the customer for the work.
Kratz also said homeowners can get the alarms for free even if they arent improving their home. He said that the city would do the installation for the infirm or extremely elderly.
