New Britain, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 13 § 13-104
Smoke detectors in residential structures
Operative Text
(a) A "smoke detector" is a device approved by a national accepted testing laboratory and as defined by the state fire safety code. (b) Every dwelling unit in a residential structure that contains more than two (2) dwelling units shall be provided with at least one smoke detector permanently connected to a standard one hundred twenty (120) volt AC supply or operated by a self-contained battery with a minimum of one year of life. (c) Every structure containing more than two (2) dwelling units shall be provided with a smoke detector at the head of each stairway leading to an occupied area. (d) Smoke detectors placed in such dwelling units shall be placed on the main sleeping level so as to properly monitor all sleeping rooms and shall be located so as to meet the approval of the fire marshal. (e) A smoke detector, even though installed in accordance with this section, if allowed to be connected to a switch-off circuit or if inoperable because of battery deterioration, shall be considered to be in non-compliance with this section.
New Britain Code of Ordinances ch. 13, art. II, div. 4 § 13-104 establishes requirements for smoke detectors in residential buildings with more than two dwelling units. Each individual unit must have at least one smoke detector—either hardwired to a 120-volt AC supply or powered by a battery rated for at least one year—and a detector must also be placed at the top of every stairway leading to an occupied area. Detectors must be positioned on the main sleeping level to cover all sleeping rooms and must meet the fire marshal's placement approval. A detector that is connected to a switch-off circuit or has a dead or deteriorated battery is treated as non-compliant, even if it was properly installed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential buildings covered by § 13-104 of the New Britain Code of Ordinances generally maintain smoke detectors in every dwelling unit and at the head of each stairway leading to occupied areas. Compliant operators ensure each detector is either hardwired to a 120-volt AC circuit that cannot be switched off or equipped with a battery rated for at least one year of life, and they verify that detectors on the main sleeping level are positioned to monitor all sleeping rooms in a manner approved by the fire marshal. Routine inspections to confirm that no detector has been placed on a switch-off circuit and that batteries remain functional are a standard part of ongoing compliance under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 13-104 of the New Britain Code of Ordinances, tenants in buildings with more than two units have a right to functioning smoke detectors—one in their dwelling unit on the main sleeping level and one at the top of each stairway leading to an occupied area. A detector that has been wired to a switch-off circuit or has a deteriorated battery is explicitly considered non-compliant under this provision, regardless of whether it was originally installed correctly. Tenants who believe their unit lacks a required detector or has a non-compliant one may consider contacting the New Britain fire marshal's office, filing a complaint with the appropriate local housing or code enforcement authority, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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