Smoke Detectors: Mount Vernon vs White Plains

Where do I have to install smoke alarms in a Mount Vernon home?

Section R314 of the 2020 New York State Residential Code (adopted via 19 NYCRR Part 1225 and enforced locally under Mount Vernon Chapter 131) requires a smoke alarm inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, and on each additional story of the dwelling including basements and habitable attics. New construction alarms must be hardwired with battery backup and interconnected so one triggers all.

Can I still use 9-volt battery smoke alarms in Mount Vernon?

Existing replaceable-battery alarms installed in compliance with prior code may remain in service, but any battery-only replacement smoke alarm sold or installed in New York since April 1, 2019 must use a sealed, non-removable 10-year battery under NY General Business Law section 399-ccc. All smoke alarms must be replaced 10 years from the date of manufacture or sooner if they fail an operability test.

Where do I have to install smoke alarms in a White Plains home?

Under the New York State Property Maintenance Code (19 NYCRR Part 1225) Section 704, single- or multiple-station smoke alarms must be placed inside every room used for sleeping, on the ceiling or wall just outside each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms, and on every story of the dwelling unit including habitable basements; crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics are excluded. White Plains enforces these placement rules through its Department of Building during Rental Housing License inspections.

Are White Plains landlords responsible for smoke detectors in rentals?

Yes. New York Executive Law Section 378(5) and 19 NYCRR Part 1225 require owners of non-owner-occupied one- and two-family homes and all multiple dwellings to provide and maintain at least one operational smoke alarm and one carbon monoxide alarm in each dwelling unit. White Plains verifies this during Sec. 4-28-10 inspections, and licenses will not be issued or renewed under Sec. 4-28-9 until any deficiencies are corrected.