Abington, PA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Smoke detector
- Every level and every bedroom, at sale
- CO detector
- Within 40 feet of all bedrooms, at sale
- Approval standard
- Must be U/L rated
- Compliance deadline
- At or before settlement
- Max fine
- $1,000 per offense
- Max jail
- 30 days
Summary
Abington Township requires a new single-station smoke detector on every level and in every bedroom of any single-family, two-family or multifamily dwelling sold in the township, installed at or before settlement. New construction and substantial alterations must also add detectors under the adopted fire prevention code.
§ 123-2. Smoke detector required at time of sale. A new single-station smoke detector must be installed on each level and in every bedroom in all single-family, two-family, and multiple-family dwellings sold in Abington Township after the effective date of this article. This requirement must be met at or before the time of settlement. § 123- ... ... 4. Approved detectors. All CO detectors and smoke detectors installed pursuant to the requirements of this article must be U/L rated and approved. § 123- ... ... 7. Violations and penalties. Any person, corporation, or other entity who or which violates any provision of this article shall be guilty of a summary offense and, upon conviction for any such violation by a District Justice, shall pay a fine of not more than $1,000 or be imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both. Each day or portion thereof that the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense, and shall be punishable by like penalties.
Full Breakdown
Township Code § 123-2 makes point-of-sale smoke detection mandatory: a new single-station smoke detector must go on each level and in every bedroom of any single-family, two-family or multiple-family dwelling sold in Abington Township, installed or verified at or before the time of settlement. Section 123-3 extends the same standard to new construction and to substantial alteration of or addition to an existing dwelling, cross-referencing the CABO/BOCA National Fire Prevention Code of 1990 as later updated, though for an addition or alteration the duty reaches only the added or altered portion.
Section 123-4 requires every CO detector and smoke detector installed under the article to be U/L rated and approved; a device that is not listed does not satisfy the ordinance. The article, Ord. No. 1894, also requires a companion carbon monoxide detector within 40 feet of all bedrooms (§ 123-1), a displayed street address on the front facade (§ 123-5), and a signed settlement affidavit on the township's Exhibit A form (§ 123-6). Code Enforcement in the Building Department administers compliance, and the affidavit at settlement is the township's practical check that a resale actually has working detectors before the deed changes hands.
Violations & Fines
Under § 123-7, violating any provision of the article is a summary offense: on conviction before a District Justice, a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both. Each day or portion of a day the violation continues is a separate offense punishable by the same penalty, so an unresolved missing detector at settlement can compound quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a new smoke detector to sell my Abington home?
Does the detector requirement apply to renovations?
What happens if detectors are missing at settlement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Abington
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