Thursday, April 16, 2009

Is the landlord of a single family home supposed to provide fire safety equipment in Georgia?

I just moved into this home in Georgia. How can I find out if the landlord is supposed to provide the home with fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors. Also, how many of them are supposed to be in the home.


The fire extinguisher is not required. Same with carbon monoxide detectors. For smoke detectors, it depends on the age of the house you are renting and where you live in Georgia.

update:

...under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. §25-2-40) an approved battery operated smoke detector is required in every apartment, house, condominium, and townhouse constructed prior to July 1, 1987. The smoke detector is to be located on the ceiling or wall at a point centrally located in the corridor or other area giving access to each group of rooms used for sleeping. Where the dwelling has more than one story, detectors are required on each story including cellars and basements, but not including uninhabitable attics. The detectors must be listed and meet the installation requirements of NFPA 72. The law is to be enforced by local building and fire code officials. Tenants are required to keep the smoke detector in good working order"

For housing built after July 1, 1987:

"Only if the county or city in which you live has a building or housing code that requires that every dwelling built after July 1, 1987 have a smoke detector. Not all counties and cities have building codes. To find out if your local code requires smoke detectors contact your fire marshal, local government or code enforcement."

check your rental laws first but usually if its not in a complex its not required to have these things. Commercial and attached family residences (duplex, appt complex) usually have these things...but ya know what go buy yourself a smoke/carbon m detector and fire extinguisher if it makes you feel better and take them with you when you leave!

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