Cal. Civ. Code § 26D

Definitions applicable to Secs. 26D to 26F

In Force
Verified 9/13/2026 · Next check 9/20/2026
effective 9/13/2026MassachusettsCO & Smoke Alarms

Operative Text

Cal. Civ. Code § 26D
Section 26D. As used in this section and sections twenty-six E and twenty-six F the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:—

''Approved monitored battery power smoke detector'', shall be a smoke detector which is activated by a battery power source provided that the battery is monitored to assure that the following conditions are met:

(a) a distinctive audible trouble signal is given before the battery is incapable of operating the device for alarm purposes, and that such audible trouble signal is produced at least once every minute for seven consecutive days, and

(b) the unit is capable of producing an alarm signal for at least four continuous minutes at the battery voltage at which a trouble signal is normally obtained followed by seven days of trouble signal operation, and

(c) the monitored batteries meeting these specifications are clearly identified on the unit near the battery compartment.

''Approved primary power smoke detector'', shall be a smoke detector which is activated by being permanently wired to a source of alternating current electric power or connected to a source of alternating current electric power by an underwriter's laboratory approved cord with a strain relief and plug retainer; provided, that:

(a) all power supplies shall be sufficient to operate the alarm signal for at least four continuous minutes, and

(b) all such detector systems shall be installed in accordance with the Massachusetts Electrical Code.

''Common hallway'', a common corridor or space separately enclosed which provides common access to the required exitways of the residential building or structure.

''Separate sleeping area'', shall mean the area or areas of the dwelling unit in which the bedrooms, or sleeping rooms, are located. Bedrooms, or sleeping rooms, separated by other use areas such as kitchens or living rooms, but not bathrooms, shall be considered as separate sleeping areas.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Mass. Gen. Laws c. 148 § 26D establishes the foundational definitions that govern smoke detector requirements under sections 26E and 26F. It distinguishes between two approved detector types—battery-powered units with specific monitoring and alarm-duration standards, and units permanently or cord-connected to AC power meeting electrical code requirements—and it defines the physical spaces, such as 'common hallway' and 'separate sleeping area,' to which those requirements apply. These definitions set the interpretive boundaries for the substantive rules that follow in the adjacent sections.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on September 13, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Property owners and managers subject to Mass. Gen. Laws c. 148 § 26D should be familiar with the technical distinctions the statute draws between an 'approved monitored battery power smoke detector' and an 'approved primary power smoke detector,' since compliance with sections 26E and 26F depends on correctly identifying which detector type is installed and where. Operators generally verify that battery-powered units produce the required trouble signals and alarm durations, and that AC-powered units are installed in conformance with the Massachusetts Electrical Code. Understanding how the statute defines 'common hallway' and 'separate sleeping area' also informs where detectors must be placed throughout a residential building.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Tenants living in Massachusetts residential buildings can look to Mass. Gen. Laws c. 148 § 26D to understand the baseline definitions that shape their smoke detector protections under sections 26E and 26F, including what qualifies as an approved detector and how spaces like bedrooms and common corridors are legally characterized. If a detector in a unit appears not to meet these defined standards—for example, a battery unit that does not produce audible trouble signals as described—tenants may have grounds to raise that concern with a local fire department or housing inspection authority. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how these definitions connect to enforcement options available under the broader statutory scheme.

General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.

Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.

Effective Timeline

Current
Sep 13, 2026
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Related Rules

§ 26C
Certain public accommodations; automatic smoke or heat detectors
§ 26E
Residential buildings or structures; installation of smoke detectors
§ 26F
Residential buildings or structures; equipping with smoke detectors upon sale or transfer

Source Information

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