New York State law requires smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in all types of housing. Alarms are the best way keep family members safe in the event of a fire or a release of highly poisonous carbon monoxide gas.
It is the responsibility of the property owner, including landlords, to ensure these devices are in place. But the Rochester Fire Department (RFD) will provide home safety checks and install pre-purchased alarms upon request. The RFD will visit any city home to ensure smoke or carbon monoxide alarms are correctly installed and in working order. The RFD receives federal funding to install a limited number of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for low-income homeowners and in emergency situations, while supplies last
Smoke Alarm Information
- Smoke alarms should be installed in every room of your home except the kitchen.
- Test your batteries once every six months, and replace your alarm every ten years, or immediately if it becomes defective.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Information
- Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed on every level of a home that has a sleeping area, and on the level that contains a carbon monoxide/heating source.
- Battery-powered alarms should be tested very six months. The device itself should be replaced every 10 years or as soon as it becomes defective.
- Take all alarms and alerts seriously and call 911 immediately. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas.
Smoke Alarm for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
According to The Fire Protection Research Foundation, among the people at risk of not waking to an auditory smoke alarm are the more than 34.5 million people in the US who are hard of hearing. In some cases such people
purchase alternative alerting devices which may send a visual signal (e.g. a strobe light) or a tactile signal which vibrates. Bed shakers and pillow shakers have become available for people with hearing impairment and may be used with an alarm clock or for emergency notification.
The Rochester Fire Department has SilentCall Smoke Alarms available for the hearing-impaired Community. For information for qualifications/obtaining one, please call us at (585) 428-1362 or TTY (585) 428-7600.
Call 311 to schedule an appointment or to determine if you qualify for a free smoke or carbon monoxide alarm.