Your broker is correct. There are new regulations which will take effect on January 1, 2010. However some fire departments are requiring compliance now. The smoke detectors which people have been using since the law has been implemented, other than hardwired systems, are called ionization detectors. The way they work is that if smoke or steam enters the detector the detector will go off. The other type of the smoke detector is called a photoelectric detector. These detectors are set off when smoke crosses them but they are not set off by steam. Apparently, steam has created a number of false alarms and this has resulted in the fire departments in the Commonwealth getting behind photoelectric detectors. However, the ionization detectors are often faster to respond than the photoelectric detectors. Under the new regulations smoke detectors must be located in the same previously required locations but the regulations require that the smoke detector have both technologies i.e. photoelectric and ionization except within 20 feet of the kitchen or a bathroom containing a bathtub or shower. In those locations only a photoelectric detector must be installed since the steam in those locations tend to set off the ionization detectors. The regulations apply to any building less than 70 feet tall, containing 6 or less residential units and the building has not been substantially altered since January 1, 1975. If you would like to see the regulation and other articles about it, Google 527 CMR 32.00.

If you have questions about this or any other real estate matter, please contact Tom Bennett at (617) 531-6574 or tvb@barronstad.com.