Chapter 15-56
SMOKE DETECTORS
Sections:
15-56-030 Violations—Penalties.
15-56-010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter
“Approved smoke detector” or “detector” means a smoke detector of the ionization or photoelectric type, which complies all the requirements of the rules and regulations of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.
“Dwelling unit” means a room or suite of rooms used for human habitation, and includes a single-family residence as well as each living unit of a multiple family residence and each living unit in a mixed use building.
“Hotel” means any building or buildings maintained, advertised, or held out to the public to be a place where lodging is offered for consideration to travelers and guests. “Hotel” includes inns, motels, tourist homes or courts, bed and breakfast establishments and lodging houses. (Ord. 2635 § 1 (part), 1990)
15-56-020 Installation.
A. Every dwelling unit shall be equipped with at least one approved smoke detector in an operating condition within fifteen (15) feet of every room used for sleeping purposes. The detector shall be installed on the ceiling and at least six inches from any wall, or on a wall located between four inches and six inches from the ceiling.
B. Every single-family residence shall have at least one approved smoke detector installed on every story of the dwelling unit, including basements but not including unoccupied attics. In dwelling units with split levels, a smoke detector installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level if the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level; however, if there is an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke detector shall be installed on each level.
C. Every structure which: (1) contains more than one dwelling unit; or (2) contains at least one dwelling unit and is a mixed use structure; shall contain at least one approved smoke detector at the uppermost ceiling of each interior stairwell. The detector shall be installed on the ceiling, at least six inches from the wall, or on wall located between four inches and six inches from the ceiling.
D. 1. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of a structure to supply and install all required detectors. The owner shall be responsible for making reasonable efforts to test and maintain detectors in common stairwells and hallways. It is the responsibility of a tenant to test and to provide general maintenance for the detectors within the tenant’s dwelling unit or rooming unit and to notify the owner or the authorized agent of the owner in writing of any deficiencies which the tenant cannot correct The owner shall be responsible for providing one tenant per dwelling unit with written information regarding detector testing and maintenance.
2. The tenant shall be responsible for replacement of any required batteries in the smoke detectors in the tenant’s dwelling unit, except that the owner shall ensure that such batteries are in operating condition at the time the tenant takes possession of the dwelling unit. The tenant shall provide the owner or the authorized agent of the owner with access to the dwelling unit to correct any deficiencies in the smoke detector which have been reported in writing to the owner or the authorized agent of the owner.
E. The requirements of this section shall apply to any dwelling unit in existence on July 1, 1988, beginning on that date. Except as provided in subsections (F) and (G) of this section, the smoke detectors required in such dwelling units may be either battery powered or wired into the structure’s AC power line, and need not be interconnected.
F. In the case of any dwelling unit that is newly constructed, reconstructed or substantially remodeled after December 31, 1987, the requirements of this section shall apply beginning on the first day of occupancy of the dwelling unit after such construction or substantial remodeling. The smoke detectors required in such dwelling unit shall be permanently wired into the structure’s AC power line and, if more than one detector is required to be installed within the dwelling unit, the detectors shall be wired so that the actuation of one detector will actuate all the detectors in the dwelling unit.
G. 1. Every hotel shall be equipped with operational portable smoke-detecting alarm devices for the deaf and hearing impaired of audible and visual design, available for units of occupancy.
2. Specialized smoke detectors for the deaf and hearing impaired shall be available upon request by guests at a rate of at least one such smoke detector per seventy-five (75) occupancy units or portions thereof, not to exceed five such smoke detectors per hotel. Incorporation or connection into an existing interior alarm system, so as to be capable of being activated by the system, may be utilized in lieu of the portable alarms.
3. Operators of any hotel shall post conspicuously at the main desk a permanent notice, in letters at least three inches in height, stating that smoke detector alarm devices for the deaf and hearing impaired are available. The proprietor may require a refundable deposit for a portable smoke detector not to exceed the cost of the detector. (Ord. 2635 § 1 (part), 1990)
15-56-030 Violations—Penalties.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine as laid out in Chapter 3-01, Fees, Fines, Insurance and Guarantee Requirements, and each day during which the violation continues shall be a separate offense. (Ord. 3494 § 2(B), 2024; Ord. 2635 § 1 (part), 1990)