36-99.5 - Smoke detectors for the deaf and hearing-impaired.
§ 36-99.5. Smoke detectors for the deaf and hearing-impaired.
Smoke detectors providing an effective intensity of not less than 100 candelato warn a deaf or hearing-impaired individual shall be provided, upon requestby the occupant to the landlord or proprietor, to any deaf orhearing-impaired occupant of any of the following occupancies, regardless ofwhen constructed:
1. All dormitory buildings arranged for the shelter and sleepingaccommodations of more than twenty individuals;
2. All multiple-family dwellings having more than two dwelling units,including all dormitories, boarding and lodging houses arranged for shelterand sleeping accommodations of more than five individuals; or
3. All buildings arranged for use of one-family or two-family dwelling units.
A tenant shall be responsible for the maintenance and operation of the smokedetector in the tenant's unit.
A hotel or motel shall have available no fewer than one such smoke detectorfor each seventy units or portion thereof, except that this requirement shallnot apply to any hotel or motel with fewer than thirty-five units. Theproprietor of the hotel or motel shall post in a conspicuous place at theregistration desk or counter a permanent sign stating the availability ofsmoke detectors for the hearing-impaired. Visual detectors shall be providedfor all meeting rooms for which an advance request has been made.
The proprietor or landlord may require a refundable deposit for a smokedetector, not to exceed the original cost or replacement cost, whichever isgreater, of the smoke detector. Rental fees shall not be increased ascompensation for this requirement.
Landlords shall notify hearing-impaired tenants of the availability ofspecial smoke detectors; however, no landlord shall be civilly or criminallyliable for failure to so notify. New tenants shall be asked, in writing, atthe time of rental, whether visual smoke detectors will be needed.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this section within a reasonabletime shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor.
This law shall have no effect upon existing local law or regulation whichexceeds the provisions prescribed herein.
(1984, c. 753; 1988, c. 183.)