CS/HB 47 (2013) Summary

• Effective January 1, 2014, all newly installed or replacement battery-operated smoke alarms must use nonreplaceable, nonremovable batteries capable of powering the alarm for at least 10 years.

• Exempts electrically operated smoke alarms, fire alarm systems with smoke detectors, fire alarm devices connected to panels, and similar wireless devices from the 10-year battery requirement.

• Local governments desiring to adopt fire sprinkler requirements for one- or two-family dwellings must prepare an economic cost and benefit report analyzing the financial impact and demonstrating that cost savings reasonably approximate installation costs; failure to prepare such a report invalidates the requirement.

• Local jurisdictions and utilities are prohibited from charging additional fees to properties with fire sprinkler systems compared to non-sprinklered dwellings.

• Property owners are not required to install fire sprinklers based on property use as a rental or change to rental status.

• Effective date: July 1, 2013.