City of Milwaukee - File #: 060780

• File #: 060780
• Version: 0
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Placed On File
• File created: 9/26/2006
• In control: ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
• Final action: 9/25/2007
• Title: An ordinance requiring the use of smoke alarms operated with permanent lithium batteries in existing one- or 2-family dwelling units.
• Sponsors: ALD. DUDZIK
• Indexes: BUILDING CODE, SMOKE DETECTORS

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
9/25/2007	0	COMMON COUNCIL	PLACED ON FILE	Pass	13:0
9/18/2007	0	ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE	RECOMMENDED FOR PLACING ON FILE	Pass	4:0
10/17/2006	0	ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE	HELD TO CALL OF THE CHAIR; Minutes note: Indiviiduals present: Ald. Dudzik William Wentlandt - Fire Chief Tracy Williams - Dept. of Neighborhood Services. Ms. Williams will provide the committee witih a chart noting which detector requirements exist for each type of dwellings and the years those requirements were set. The Legislative Reference Bureau will research on the effect of home insurance rates in areas where lithium battery or hardwiring requirements are in place. Ald. D'Amato would like to have the proposed ordinance broadened so the power source is not limited solely to lithium batteries as technology improves.	Pass	5:0
10/2/2006	0	ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE	HEARING NOTICES SENT
9/29/2006	0	ZONING, NEIGHBORHOODS & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE	HEARING NOTICES SENT
9/26/2006	0	COMMON COUNCIL	ASSIGNED TO

Number

060780

Version

ORIGINAL

Reference

Sponsor

ALD. DUDZIK

Title

An ordinance requiring the use of smoke alarms operated with permanent lithium batteries in existing one- or 2-family dwelling units.

Sections

214-23 rc

Analysis

This ordinance requires that all smoke alarms be powered by non-removable lithium batteries that emit signals when the batteries are low. The detectors shall be equipped with hush buttons, approved or listed by an independent testing laboratory. The date of alarm installation shall be clearly marked on the smoke alarm unit as prescribed in s. 214-23.

These requirements, which will be effective January 1, 2008, shall apply to all existing one- and 2-family dwellings.

Body

Whereas, Nationally, 70% of all home fire fatalities occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms; and

Whereas, In 2004, 9 fires claimed 12 lives in the city of Milwaukee; and

Whereas, In 2005, 9 fires claimed 16 lives in the city of Milwaukee, and Milwaukee tragically lost 7 children and 9 adults in those fires; and

Whereas, In 6 of these events, which claimed 12 lives, there were no working smoke alarms; and

Whereas, The majority of these fatalities occurred in one and 2-family dwellings; now, therefore

The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:

Part 1. Section  214-23 of the code is repealed and recreated to read:

214-23  Battery-Operated Smoke Alarms.

1. TESTING. Every battery-operated smoke alarm shall be tested by the owner not less than once every calendar year. The owner shall provide a copy of test results to the commissioner or the commissioner’s designee upon request. Test results shall include the date on which testing was performed and the name, telephone number and property relationship of the person who performed the test. Testing shall be performed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications for testing.
2. HUSH BUTTONS. Every owner shall take the actions necessary to ensure that any smoke alarm located within 20 feet of the primary cooking appliance within the unit has a silencing switch (“hush button”).

3. LITHIUM BATTERIES. Effective January 1, 2008, every battery-operated smoke alarm installed in one and 2-family dwellings shall be operated by a non-removable lithium battery power source that emit signals when the batteries are low.

LRB

APPROVED AS TO FORM

_________________________

Legislative Reference Bureau

Date:_____________________

Attorney

IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE ORDINANCE

IS LEGAL AND ENFORCEABLE

________________________

Office of the City Attorney

Date:____________________

Requestor

Fire Department

Drafter

LRB05486-5

EJS

9/29/2006