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Smoke Detectors - The Best Way to Save Lives in a Fire

Over the past couple of years a rash of building fires in older apartment buildings here in SF has led the Board of Supervisors to suggest a variety of legislative changes intended to improve our tenants' fire safety. These proposals include mandatory sprinklers, installation of "fire blocking" in attic spaces, and mandatory disclosures to tenants at move in and signage in common areas. All of these proposals are well-intentioned but they're not as effective at saving lives as one of the most basic steps we can and should all take: installing new smoke detectors.

As you are undoubtedly aware California state law mandated that as of July 1, 2015 all smoke detectors sold in the state must contain non-replaceable, non-removable batteries that last for at least 10 years. These smoke detectors must also:
• Display the date of manufacture
• Provide a place on the device where the date of installation can be written
• Incorporate a hush feature
• Incorporate an end-of-life feature that provides notice that the device needs to be replaced.

This law doesn't necessarily require us to replace all battery-operated detectors as long as the existing detectors are working. Nevertheless why wouldn't you take the step to ensure your smoke detectors are the best possible quality to protect your tenants' lives and yourself and your clients from liability in case of a fire?

This month I notified all of my clients of this simple step and recommended that they authorize us to replace the detectors as soon as possible. The response from my building owners was overwhelmingly positive. Within 24 hours I had received over 25 enthusiastic and supportive responses asking us to put their buildings on our list to replace the detectors. 

The benefits of this strategy are several-fold: first, notifying your clients of your awareness of this law shows that you're staying on top of the legal requirements for rental property ownership and keeping their property and tenants safe; second, it authorizes you to undertake this work on the owner's behalf to improve safety; third, in any situation where your clients refuse to do such a simple upgrade, you have an opportunity to protect yourself by establishing that you actively recommended this step and your client refused. In this situation you have a chance to decide if a client who refuses to replace smoke detectors to ensure tenant safety is one you really want to have in your management portfolio. 

Submitted by:
JJ Panzer, PPMA President
Real Management Company

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