Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors NYC

New York City law requires the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Both property owners and tenants have responsibilities to ensure that all New Yorkers remain safe in their homes from the dangers of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning (carbon monoxide is an odorless and highly toxic gas).

 

 
Residential owners are required to ensure that tenants are provided with both carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

Owners of all multiple dwellings (Class A and Class B Multiple Dwellings) and one- and two-family homes (non-owner occupied) are required to:

  • Provide and install at least one approved and operational carbon monoxide and smoke detector within each dwelling unit.
    • In Class A Multiple Dwellings, install at least one detector within fifteen feet of the primary entrance to each room lawfully used for sleeping purposes.
    • In Class B Dwellings, install at least one detector within each dwelling unit or a line-operated zoned carbon monoxide and smoke detector system throughout the multiple dwelling in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the New York City Department of Buildings.
    • In one- and two-family homes (non-owner occupied units), at least one approved and operational detector within each dwelling unit, including at least one carbon monoxide detector within fifteen feet of the primary entrance to each room lawfully used for sleeping purposes.
  • Replace any carbon monoxide and smoke detector periodically upon the expiration of its useful life or when it has been stolen, removed, is missing, or rendered inoperable before a new tenant moves in if the prior tenant did not replace it.
    • In Class A Multiple Dwellings, replace any detector within 30 days if it becomes inoperable within one year of installation due to a defect and no fault of the occupant.
  • Ensure that the installed carbon monoxide alarm is equipped with an end-of-life alarm.
  • When a carbon monoxide detector is installed, provide a notice to at least one adult occupant of each dwelling unit regarding the testing and maintenance of the detector, including general information concerning carbon monoxide poisoning and what to do if an alarm goes off, that carbon monoxide detectors have a useful life limitation, and that the owner has a duty to replace such alarms upon the expiration of such useful life.
  • Post notices regarding carbon monoxide (Class A Multiple Dwellings and one- and two-family homes only) and smoke detectors (Class A Multiple Dwellings only). A Combined Notice for smoke detectors/carbon monoxide detectors and gas leak notice can be used. Section 12-12.1 of Chapter 12 of the Rules of the City of New York describes conditions under which a combined notice may be used.
  • Keep, and provide upon request, records relating to the installation and maintenance of:
    • Smoke detectors (provide to HPD): Recordkeeping requirements are contained in Sections 12-01 and 12-03 of Title 28 of the Rules of the City of New York (excluding one- and two-family homes).
    • Carbon monoxide detectors (provide to HPD, DOB, DOHMH or FDNY). Recordkeeping requirements are contained in Sections 12-06 and 12-09 of Chapter 12 of Title 28 of the Rules of the City of New York.
    • Never paint over detectors

 

 

Working detectors are a critical component of fire safety. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors save lives by quickly giving you an early warning. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, you should get out immediately and call 911. If a smoke alarm sounds, execute your escape plan.

Property owners are required to provide and install at least one approved and operational smoke and carbon monoxide detector in each apartment. Tenants are responsible for maintaining the detectors, including testing and replacing batteries. Learn more about smoke and carbon monoxide detector responsibilities.

 

 

§ 27-2045 Duties of owner and occupant with respect to installation and maintenance of smoke detecting devices, carbon monoxide detecting devices and natural gas detecting devices.
 
   a.   As used in this section:
 
      Class A multiple dwelling. The term “class A multiple dwelling” means a class A multiple dwelling as defined in paragraph 8 of subdivision a of section 27-2004, except that such term shall include garden-type maisonette dwellings constructed before April 18, 1954.
 
      Garden-type maisonette dwelling. The term “garden-type maisonette dwelling” means a dwelling project consisting of a series of dwelling units that, together and in their aggregate, are arranged or designed to provide three or more apartments; are provided as a group collectively with all essential services such as, but not limited to, house sewers and heat; and are operated as a unit under single ownership, notwithstanding that certificates of occupancy were issued for portions thereof as private dwellings, as such term is defined in paragraph 6 of subdivision a of section 27-2004.
 
      Private dwelling. The term “private dwelling” means a dwelling unit in a one-family or two-family home that is occupied by a person or persons other than the owner of such unit or the owner’s family.
 
   b.   The owner of a class A multiple dwelling, class B multiple dwelling or private dwelling shall:
 
      1.   (a)   Provide and install one or more approved and operational smoke detecting devices in each dwelling unit in accordance with section 907.2 of the New York city building code or sections 27-978, 27-979, 27-980 and 27-981 of the 1968 building code, as applicable, or, in the alternative for class B multiple dwellings, provide and install a line-operated zoned smoke detecting system with central annunciation and central office tie-in for all public corridors and public spaces, pursuant to rules promulgated by the commissioner of buildings, except that this paragraph shall not apply to private dwellings;
 
         (b)   Provide and install one or more approved and operational carbon monoxide detecting devices in each dwelling unit in accordance with section 908.7 of the New York city building code or sections 27-981.1, 27-981.2 and 27-981.3 of the 1968 building code, as applicable, or, in the alternative for class B multiple dwellings, provide and install a line-operated zoned carbon monoxide detecting system with central annunciation and central office tie-in for all public corridors and public spaces, pursuant to rules promulgated by the commissioner of buildings or by the commissioner in consultation with the department of buildings and the fire department;
 
         (c)   Provide and install one or more approved and operational natural gas detecting devices in accordance with section 908.10 of the New York city building code or section 28-315.2.3 of the code, as applicable, or, in the alternative for class B multiple dwellings, provide and install a line-operated zoned natural gas detecting system with central annunciation and central office tie-in for all public corridors and public spaces, pursuant to rules promulgated by the commissioner of buildings or by the commissioner in consultation with the department of buildings and the fire department;
 
      2.   Periodically replace any device required under paragraph 1 of this subdivision upon expiration of its useful life in accordance with article 312 of title 28 of the code;
 
      3.   (a)   For a class A multiple dwelling or private dwelling, replace any such device that has been stolen, removed, found missing or rendered inoperable during a prior occupancy of the dwelling unit and that has not been replaced by the prior occupant before commencement of a new occupancy of such dwelling unit, except that this paragraph shall not apply to smoke detecting devices in private dwellings;
 
         (b)   For a class B multiple dwelling, replace any such device that has been stolen, removed, found missing or rendered inoperable before commencement of a new occupancy of such dwelling unit;
 
      4.   Where any such device becomes inoperable within one year after installation due to a defect in the manufacture of such device and through no fault of the occupant of such dwelling unit, replace such device within 30 calendar days after receiving written notice that such device is inoperable, except that this paragraph shall not apply to class B multiple dwellings or smoke detecting devices in private dwellings;
 
      5.   Post a notice in a form approved by the commissioner in a common area of the building or, for private dwellings, provide to the occupants thereof a notice, indicating that (i) the owner is required by law to install such devices and to periodically replace such devices upon the expiration of their useful life, and (ii) each occupant is responsible for the maintenance and repair of such devices that are battery-operated and within such occupant’s dwelling unit and for replacing, in accordance with article 312 of title 28 of the code, any or all such devices which are stolen, removed, found missing or rendered inoperable during such occupant’s occupancy of such dwelling unit, except that this paragraph shall not apply to class B multiple dwellings or smoke detecting devices in private dwellings;
 
      6.   Provide to at least one adult occupant of such dwelling unit information relating to (i) the risks posed by carbon monoxide poisoning and, if natural gas detecting devices are required to be installed in such dwelling unit by rules promulgated by the commissioner of buildings, the risks posed by natural gas leaks, (ii) the testing and maintenance of smoke detecting devices, carbon monoxide detecting devices and, if natural gas detecting devices are required to be installed in such dwelling unit by rules promulgated by the commissioner of buildings, natural gas detecting devices, (iii) what to do if such devices alert, (iv) the useful life of such devices, (v) the owner’s duty to replace such devices pursuant to article 312 of title 28 and (vi) the occupant’s duty to maintain and repair such devices that are battery-operated and within such occupant’s dwelling unit and replace any or all such devices within such dwelling unit that are stolen, removed, found missing or rendered inoperable during such occupant’s occupancy of such dwelling unit; provided that the information provided in accordance with this paragraph may include material that is distributed by the manufacturer or material prepared or approved by the department of buildings; except that this paragraph shall not apply to class B multiple dwellings or smoke detecting devices in private dwellings; and
 
      7.   Keep such records as the commissioner shall prescribe relating to the installation and maintenance of smoke detecting devices, carbon monoxide detecting devices and natural gas detecting devices in the dwelling, including the manufacturer’s suggested useful life of such devices and records showing that such devices meet the requirements of all applicable laws and rules, and make such records available to the commissioner upon request.
 
   c.   Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision a of section 27-2005 and subdivision c of section 27-2006, the occupant of each dwelling unit in a class A multiple dwelling or private dwelling in which a device required by paragraph 1 of subdivision b of this section has been provided and installed shall:
 
      1.   Keep and maintain such device in good repair; and
 
      2.   Replace such device if it is stolen, removed, found missing or rendered inoperable during the occupant’s occupancy of such dwelling unit.
 
   d.   It shall be unlawful for any person to tamper with or render inoperable a required smoke detecting device, carbon monoxide detecting device or natural gas detecting device, except to replace the batteries of such device or for other maintenance purposes.
 
   e.   The occupant of a dwelling unit within a class A multiple dwelling or private dwelling in which a battery-operated smoke detecting device, carbon monoxide detecting device or natural gas detecting device is newly installed, or installed to replace a device that has exceeded the manufacturer’s useful life or that has been lost or damaged by such occupant or installed as a result of such occupant’s failure to maintain such device, shall reimburse the owner for the cost of providing and installing such device an amount not to exceed (i) $25 for each smoke detecting device, carbon monoxide detecting device or natural gas detecting device, (ii) $50 for each combined smoke and carbon monoxide detecting device, combined smoke and natural gas detecting device or combined carbon monoxide and natural gas detecting device and (iii) $75 for each combined smoke, carbon monoxide and natural gas detecting device.
 
   f.   This section may be enforced by the department, the department of buildings, the fire department and the department of health and mental hygiene.
 
(Am. L.L. 2016/157, 12/6/2016, eff. 5/1/2019)
 
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2016/157.
 
How many carbon monoxide detectors do I need in NYS?
 In one- and two-family homes (non-owner occupied units), at least one approved and operational detector within each dwelling unit, including at least one carbon monoxide detector within fifteen feet of the primary entrance to each room lawfully used for sleeping purposes.
 
Are carbon monoxide detectors required in New York City?
Most homes and residential buildings in New York City are required by law to have carbon monoxide detectors installed in the sleeping areas. Building owners are responsible for installing approved carbon monoxide detectors.
 
How many carbon monoxide detectors should be in a home?
The International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends a carbon monoxide detector on every floor of your home, including the basement. A detector should be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door and there should be one near or over any attached garage. Each detector should be replaced every five to six years.
 
 
 

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