The information below is meant to serve as a summary of the Fire Prevention Ordinance concerning Smoke Detectors. For the complete and official Ordinance please visit the Code of Ordinances.
Application
- Residential rental property that contains less than 3 units.
- Residential rental property that was not built under the Kentucky Building Code. (Required to have electric smoke detectors)
Type and Placement
- UL approved battery operated ionization or photoelectric type detectors
- Ceiling or wall mounted. No closer than 6 inches to ceiling, wall or corner. No further than 12 inches from ceiling if wall mounted
- Located inside each sleeping room, outside each sleeping room, in the living area, on each story including basement
- Located in any common areas
Installation and Maintenance
- The owner shall supply and install, in an operable condition, the required detectors
- The owner shall supply the manufacturers operating and testing instructions to a tenant
- The owner is responsible for testing and maintaining detectors located in common areas
- The tenant is responsible for testing and maintaining detectors located within their residential unit for the life of their tenancy.
- The tenant shall notify the owner when a detector becomes inoperable
- The owner shall replace an inoperable detector within 24 hours of notification
- The owner shall insure that the detectors are in operable condition at every change of tenancy
Tampering
- Anyone tampering or interfering with the effectiveness of a smoke detector, including removal of batteries or disconnection of wiring, shall be in violation of this section and may be fined
Penalty
- $50.00 fine per day, per violation
- Each detector will be considered a separate violation
- Occupancy will not be allowed in residential rental property without operable smoke detectors