New Smoke Alarm Requirements Effective December 29, 2024

Following a tragic house fire in Philadelphia that killed three sisters and nine of their children on January 5, 2022, H.R. 7981 was introduced by Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04). More than 10 million Americans live in federally assisted housing across the United States, and approximately 9,000 are served by the Salem Housing Authority through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing programs.

Each public housing agency, including the Salem Housing Authority, must ensure that qualifying smoke alarms are installed in accordance with the applicable codes and standards published by the Oregon Fire Code (adopted by the City of Salem from the International Fire Code) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72 – National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. These must be placed on each level and in or near each sleeping area in any dwelling unit that is assisted with federal funds, including the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program administered by the Salem Housing Authority. This includes basements, except for crawl spaces and unfinished attics, and in each common area.

Current Oregon law requires the use of a 10-year batter. The changes now require that smoke alarms be hardwired or sealed with an internal, non-replaceable 10-year battery. Additionally, they must be tamper-resistant and have a way to silence the alarm.

While not all housing may be required to meet these same standards, the Salem Fire Department and the City of Salem always encourage the use of smoke alarms and strongly urge you to follow these new recommendations.