Aug 052016
 

Palo Alto Smoke Detectors (2)When the permits were received for the current dry rot repairs and painting project, the City of Palo Alto informed us that all units would be required to comply with the updated 2011 State and Municipal code for smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. The Code states that in new dwelling units & remodels where work exceeds a $1,000 valuation:

1. Photoelectric* smoke alarms shall be installed at each level, and in each sleeping room;
2. When gas burning appliances or an attached garage is present, carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed on each level and immediately outside sleeping rooms
3. Dual sensor (Photoelectric/Ionization) alarms shall be used if located more than 20 ft. from a kitchen, fireplace or wood-burning stove or a bathroom with tub or shower. Ionization smoke alarms are NOT RECOMMENDED, due to excessive nuisance alarms and poor performance in deadly smoldering fires.

*The Palo Alto Fire Department recommends replacing all smoke alarms over 10 years old and replacing all ionization smoke alarms with photoelectric or dual sensor alarms. The alarm must be listed as acceptable by the California State Fire Marshall. If you have any questions you can call the Palo Alto Fire Department at 650-329-2184 or email fire@cityofpaloalto.org .

PLEASE REMEMBER, if you are replacing any old ionization detectors, they must be disposed of as HAZARDOUS MATERIAL, not in the general garbage or recycle.

The original units in Barron Square included a single hardwired 120V smoke detector in the hallway outside the bedrooms. These can be replaced by either a hardwired combination smoke/CO detector with battery backup or battery only unit. If they don’t already exist, you will have to add photoelectric or dual-sensor smoke detectors within each sleeping room. These will be battery operated because no convenient source of electrical power is likely to be available to operate them.

First Alert P900_This writer installed the battery operated First Alert PC-900 smoke/CO detector in the hallway replacing the old hardwired smoke detector and then added First Alert P-900 smoke detectors to each bedroom. These were chosen because of their inconspicuous flat design and ease of installation. The newer 910 series have a 3V lithium battery which is stated to last for the 10 year lifetime of the detector. First Alert is a subsidiary of BRK which is listed as acceptable by the State Fire Marshall. But each owner is free to choose the make and model that best suits their budget and preferences.

By now everyone at Barron Square should have received a form from PML to confirm that you are in compliance with these requirements. Without that we cannot receive final inspection approval for the work being done in the painting project. If you need another copy, it is available here.

PLEASE HELP US BY REPLACING YOUR SMOKE AND CO DETECTORS, IF REQUIRED, AND RETURN THE FORM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. We must have your form before the work on your building is completed in order to have the final inspection by the City.

 Posted by at 11:44 PM