Winter Haven Minimum Property Maintenance Standards Sec. 704.2 (Ord. O-10-15) requires every dwelling unit to have a listed, approved smoke alarm installed and maintained in operable condition. The Florida Fire Prevention Code and NFPA 72 govern locations and interconnection.
Under MPMS Sec. 704.2 and the Florida Fire Prevention Code, every dwelling must have an approved listed smoke alarm installed per manufacturer's recommendations - inside each sleeping room, in each hallway serving sleeping rooms, and on every habitable level (NFPA 72). Existing dwellings built before the current code may use battery-only alarms; new construction and substantial remodels require hardwired interconnected alarms with battery backup. Rental units must also have operational smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as a city standard - this is checked on short-term rental properties using the State DBPR vacation rental license. Carbon monoxide alarms are required outside each separate sleeping area in any dwelling with fuel-burning appliances or attached garage.
MPMS Sec. 704.2 violations are enforced by Code Compliance and Winter Haven Fire-Rescue. The Code Official may declare a structure unfit for occupancy if smoke alarms are non-functional. Special Magistrate fines under FS Ch. 162 up to $250/day.
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