Smoke Detector Replacement Policy

Overview

The Village at Towne Center Homeowners Association has a responsibility to protect the Association and its membership, which includes fire safety.  On February 1, 2016, the Board adopted an Amendment to the Insurance Resolution by Action in Lieu of a Board of Directors Meeting to include the following:

“#6:  All unit owners or unit agent shall ensure that all hard wired smoke detectors 10 years or older on February 1, 2016 were replaced and notification was sent to Management by April 1, 2016 and henceforth replaced every 10 years with like notification to Management."

The original smoke detectors originally installed by the Homes by Towne at the Village at Towne Center were most probably manufactured over 10 years ago.  For your safety and that of your neighbors, please check the manufacture date on your smoke detectors immediately.

Kidde Fire & Safety, the world’s largest manufacturer of fire safety products, follows the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommendations on alarms.  NFPA recommends:

• Install smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.  (Note: VTC original alarms were wired to be interconnected)
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use of both types of alarms in the home; however you do not have to have both technologies in every alarm.  Click here for additional information.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
• For more information, please click here.

The NFPA also recommends carbon monoxide (CO) detection and warning equipment to protect lives by warning occupants of the presence of CO. All units with a gas fireplace, gas stove, gas water heater have the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. There are combination smoke and CO alarms which can satisfy both needs in one alarm.  

The Board has enlisted the assistance of Kidde Technical Support for a replacement recommendation. Kidde has recommended the following to be used in combination:

• Kidde i4618, an AC/DC powered, ionization smoke alarm that operates on a 120V power source with 9V battery backup. Click here for more details.
• Kidde P12040, a 120VAC powered photoelectric smoke alarm with 9V battery backup.  Click here for more details.
• Kidde i12010SCO, a hardwired ionization smoke alarm combined with a carbon monoxide alarm that contains a 10-year, sealed battery backup.  This alarm should be placed no more than 10 feet of any sleeping area. Click here for more details.

Kidde hard-wired alarms can be interconnected with other brand hard-wired alarms, including interconnecting Ionization and photoelectric alarms.   The alarms originally installed at VTC had a plug-in connection or “saddle” to the electric source.  New models do not have a plug-in; hence, it is necessary to connect the alarm directly to the electric source.

Please note that this is simply a suggested recommendation, not a requirement -- to use Kidde products or those products listed. Owners may conduct independent research and determine the appropriate alarms to fit their personal needs. 

Owner Action Required

It is the unit owners’ responsibility to determine the manufacture date of all alarms in their unit.  Any or all smoke detectors dated after April 1, 2006, do not need to be replaced until the 10-year point. Please click here to complete the “Smoke Detector Verification Form”, which will be retained by the HOA.

If the date of manufacture is before April 1, 2006, you must replace those alarms immediately.  Once they have been replaced, please click here to complete the “Smoke Detector Verification Form”, which will be retained by the HOA.

The “Smoke Detector Verification Form” will be automatically forward to Julie Grommes at Ogden & Company for retention in the Unit Owner’s file. The HOA reserves the right to request proof of purchase.

Going forward, it will be the owner’s responsibility to insure that all smoke detectors are replaced at 10-year intervals, or whatever the NFPA recommends for replacement.  It is suggested that Owners use a marker to note the dates of manufacture on the inside door of electrical panel for easy reference.