Westfield, IN Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Westfield City Code § 38-131
- Battery-only units
- Non-removable, 10-year minimum battery
- Repair window (rental/owner)
- 2 business days after written notice
- Testing frequency
- Monthly per manufacturer instructions
- Retrofit trigger date
- August 1, 2014
- Exempt units
- Monitored panel or low-power wireless alarms
Summary
Westfield's fire code requires smoke detectors or smoke alarms meeting 675 IAC 13 or 675 IAC 14, and battery-only units must use a non-removable, non-replaceable battery rated for at least ten years. Owners and rental agents in the City of Westfield must repair or replace a failed unit within two business days of written notice under Section 38-131.
(a)Smoke detectors or smoke alarms required by 675 IAC 13 or 675 IAC 14 shall have a power supply as specified by the respective code. ... If the smoke detector or smoke alarm is solely ... powered by a battery, such battery shall be a non-removable, non-replaceable battery capable of powering the smoke detector or smoke alarm for a minimum of ten years. ... (b)It shall be unlawful for any person to tamper with or remove any smoke detector or smoke alarm, except when it is necessary for maintenance or inspection purposes. ... (1)Rental dwelling units. Each owner or manager or rental agent of the owner is responsible for the installation of required smoke detectors or smoke alarms and the repair or replacement of a required smoke detector or smoke alarm within two business days after the owner, manager or rental agent is given written notification of the need to repair or replace the smoke detector or smoke alarm. ... (c)A person, company, or corporation violating IC 22-11-18-3, IC 22-11-18-3.5 and provisions of this article shall be subject to penalties as specified in IC 22-11-18-5 and section 38-3 of this chapter.
Full Breakdown
Section 38-131 of the Westfield City Code governs smoke detectors and smoke alarms in dwellings. Units required by 675 IAC 13 or 675 IAC 14 must carry the power supply specified by that code, while other residential detectors may run on AC power or battery. Any detector powered solely by battery must use a non-removable, non-replaceable battery capable of running the unit for a minimum of ten years; noncompliant units installed before August 1, 2014 must be swapped for a compliant unit whenever they are next replaced.
Detectors tied into a monitored fire alarm panel, or units using low-power wireless communication, are exempt from that battery rule. Tampering with or removing a working smoke detector is unlawful except for maintenance or inspection, and any unit taken down for repair or remodeling must be reinstalled and made operable. In rental dwelling units, the owner, manager or rental agent must install required detectors and repair or replace a failed one within two business days of written notice; residents must test units monthly per the manufacturer's instructions. In owner-occupied units, the owner carries the same two-business-day repair duty and monthly testing obligation.
Violations & Fines
A person, company or corporation violating IC 22-11-18-3 or IC 22-11-18-3.5, or the provisions of Article V, is subject to the penalties set out in IC 22-11-18-5 and Westfield City Code Section 38-3. Tampering with a working detector, and a landlord's or owner's failure to repair or replace a failed unit within the two-business-day window, are both separately actionable under Section 38-131.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a smoke alarm with a replaceable 9-volt battery in Westfield?
How fast must a Westfield landlord fix a dead smoke alarm?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westfield
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