The Massachusetts Division of Fire Safety has announced that the Board of Fire Prevention

Regulations has approved an emergency amendment to 527 CMR 32 Approved Smoke Detectors.

This regulation applies to units undergoing sale or transfer of buildings containing up to five residential units.

The regulation, which was scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2010, has been moved to April 5, 2010. At that

time the regulation will still require photoelectric smoke detectors within 20 feet of a kitchen or bath containing

a shower. Areas located beyond 20 feet will be required to contain dual detection by either a single unit or

two separate units. In addition to the date change the regulation has been clarified to indicate it applies to

residential units constructed prior to January, 1975 that have not undergone major alteration covered by the

State Building Code. It also contains a provision for low voltage household warning systems that may have been

installed in these homes.  For more information, please see the announcement and related materials at

the Massachusetts Division of Fire Safety.