The recently passed City of Stamford Ordinance, Article II, Sections 70-10 through 70-20, requires that owners of all single and two family houses have operating smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed within EACH individual dwelling unit. The ordinance became effective this Sunday, January 13, 2013.
Mayor Michael Pavia stated, “Having properly installed and operating smoke and carbon monoxide detectors - in every residence - will alert individuals and families of smoke and carbon monoxide 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
According to the new ordinance, detectors should be located as follows:
A smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector shall be located on the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms.
A smoke detector shall be located in each room used for sleeping purposes.
A smoke detector shall be located in each story within a dwelling unit, including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.
Director of Public Safety, Thaddeus Jankowski said, “Each year thousands of people die tragically in fires. Most did not have properly functioning smoke detectors present. We urge our residents to protect themselves and their loved ones by following the ordinance.”
Newly appointed Fire Chief, Anthony Conte, of the Stamford Fire Department stated, “It is important that all Stamford residents comply with the ordinance. The implementation of this ordinance will help protect the lives and property of Stamford residents”.
The ordinance calls for homeowners to self-certify that Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detection devices have been installed. Instructions on how to register your home may be found on the City of Stamford website at: www.cityofstamford.org, and click on “Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detector Ordinance”.
