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I own a condo in a small building. My smoke/CO2 alarm has not been operative. It's not just a matter of changing batteries -- I loosened the unit from the ceiling and note that it is labeled as "AC powered with battery backup." I checked the fuse box and everything looked ok; there were no blown fuses, so I should be getting electricity throughout the apartment. I wrote the board and managing agent for help in repairing it, and received the reply back that I'd have to pay for any repair. There also is no House Rule that stipulates that owners must keep their smoke/CO2 alarms operative. I realize that condo owners have more autonomy than coop shareholders so I suppose it's feasible that condo owners are financially responsible for their own smoke alarms. But since our building is an old tenement building it would seem to make sense to have a house rule that all units must have working smoke alarms. A fire in one apartment will spread to the rest of the building. What are the norms regarding smoke alarms in condo buildings? Should I suggest a new House Rule that all units must have working smoke alarms? And it wouldn't be much of a stretch to get some help from the managing agent in keeping them in repair. We don't have a super, however--to save money the building only pays for a porter (who does a great job in keeping the building very clean, but does not cover super duties). Thanks for any advice.
Join the Conversation Comments (2)Kiddie sells a combo alarm with a 10 year battery that sells for about 50 dollars. No need to use a/c but if your a/c power isn't working to your current alarm you may have a more series problem that is hidden behind the walls/ceiling with your wiring that needs to be resolved.
Thanks for your comment, Ned. I would also appreciate hearing from NYC-based condos regarding whether and how your buildings actually oversee individual units' smoke alarms. Do you have explicit house rules about smoke alarms? Do individual owners have to pay to upgrade/repair their alarms, or is this a service provided by the building super?
NYC requires smoke and CO detectors in all apartments. Here are the regs:
http://www1.nyc.gov/site/hpd/owners/Smoke-carbon-monoxide-detectors.page
Buildings are required to track installation dates and replacements, but it's usually up to the unit occupant to maintain it. At the end of life of a detector in NYC, the building is responsible for replacing the units with a new one with a 10 year Battery life. http://rules.cityofnewyork.us/content/rules-requiring-installation-smoke-alarms They can also charge up to $50 back to the occupant.
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You say that your unit says it is AC powered with battery backup. Have you changed the battery? That kicks in if there is no AC power. Do you know if it is/was connected to the AC power, or if the person that installed it simply relied on the battery backup to power it? Having a house rule is nice, but you need someone to enforce it, by knocking on doors and testing each detector periodically.
I would replace the detector ASAP if replacing the battery doesn't fix it, for my own personal safety, and not haggle over having a rule or waiting for the board or management to do something. Keep the receipt so you can show when it was purchased. If you don't have the ability to remove the old one (assuming it is connected to AC power), simply screw the new one to the ceiling near the old one.
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There are regulations under the USFA and other governing agencies which must be adhered to and may include the requirement for at minimum an annual inspection of all building fire related equipment (alarms, hoses, emergency lighting etc.) including an annual inspection of unit smoke and/or CO devices to ensure that they are in working order. Your managing agent should know the regulations. And yes, there should be a house rule specific to the responsibility of the owner for smoke and/or CO devices installation and maintenance requirements, i.e. replacing faulty or non-working devices.
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