Disclosure: This blog post is informational and not provided for the purpose of dispensing legal advice. The laws discussed in this blog were effective as of 2/16/2024 but may change at any time. Also speak with a Realtor and licensed, practicing real estate attorney when dealing with laws governing the sale or purchase of a dwelling.

When you are selling a residential property in the state of Vermont it is essential that prior to closing you have brought the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors up to Vermont fire safety code.

That’s not as easy as saying, "Okay, great! I'll just go and purchase some smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, how hard could that be?" You might think you can just visit a local store or hop online and start browsing.

Recently, we took time to see if doing a search online would yield the fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors that are up to code in Vermont. You can watch the video on YouTube ( link posted above), and read on for important information about safety codes here in Vermont.

Not all Fire Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors are The Same

If you jump onto Home Depot’s website and search for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, it yields 75 results.

Most of these 75 results, however, do not satisfy Vermont fire code. How do you find fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors that are up to code?

Today we're going to show you how you can find that information.

Use Official Information from the State of Vermont

This is the Vermont Department of Public Safety Division of Fire Safety's website. The url is firesafety.vermont.gov – bookmark it for future reference.

Once you're on this page, scroll down to find these six tiles.

Click on the first one. It reads, "Building Code and Safety Services."

From there, use the sidebar on the left-hand side and click "Code Information Sheets”.

On the grid, click the tile that reads "Preparing your home for sale – Vermont alarm requirements".

A PDF file will open that you can bookmark this information sheet. This document, which gets updated as the laws change, explains Vermont’s current laws on fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Using Vermont’s Information Sheets

Looking at the sheet, there is important information right at the top.

The seller of a single-family dwelling, whether it is brand new construction or the resale of an existing home, must provide the correct smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. In fact, there’s a form to certify the information ( page two of the document pictured above) that the seller must sign at closing with their attorney.

The sheet also explains that, in Vermont, only photoelectric smoke detectors are allowed. That matters when shopping! In addition to photoelectric smoke detectors, there are also “ionization” and “combination photoelectric and ionization” models. Those might be okay in other states but in Vermont the correct choice is photoelectric only.

Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Detector Placement

The state-provided information sheet includes information on where these important monitors must be placed.

Each level of the dwelling, including the basement even if it’s unfinished, must have a smoke detector. This must be a photoelectric model, not combination or ionization models.
There must be a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector “in the vicinity of each bedroom.” This language is not clear on the information sheet, but in our conversations with the Fire Marshall we have been told that they consider “within ten feet” to be in the vicinity of a bedroom.

As an example: if a dwelling has three bedrooms on the same floor and the doors are all within ten feet of each other, one smoke alarm in that hallway would cover all three of the bedrooms.

If, however, the bedrooms have a split layout, more smoke alarms will be needed. For example, if there is a one-floor dwelling with one bedroom at one end of the home, common rooms in the middle, then bedrooms at the other end of the home, two photoelectric fire alarms would need to be installed on this level.

Carbon monoxide detectors must be in the vicinity of bedrooms in all new dwellings and dwellings sold or transferred beginning July 1, 2005. This means a CO detector is not required on every level. If you only have bedrooms on one floor of a three-story home, only the floor with bedrooms needs CO detector(s) installed in the vicinity of those bedrooms.

Power Supply Requirements

Another part of the info sheet addresses the power supply, a topic that can be confusing. When must you have a hard-wired smoke alarm vs when can it be battery-operated?

Any dwelling constructed after January 1, 1994, as well as carbon monoxide alarms that are installed in a dwelling constructed after July 1, 2005, must be directly wired into the building's electrical service and also have a battery set to go.

Anything built prior to 1994 can be just battery operated.

More on Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarms

The state also provides a helpful grid about smoke detectors.

This grid is especially helpful when shopping for a smoke alarm.

To find out what you need, first identify if it’s new construction or an existing building, then determine if it’s an owner-occupied single family dwelling, 1 or two dwelling units in the same building, or if there are three or more dwellings in the same building. From there, follow straight across to the end to discover the type of fire alarm, required power supply, and required locations. You can also find a column referencing the Vermont law this satisfies and some notes about where to look for more information.

For example, if you're reselling a home that is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling. It has to be photoelectric only alarms installed at the time of transfer (prior to closing). If the house was built prior to January 1, 1994, it can be hardwired or battery-back-up but if it was constructed after January 1, 1994, it must be hardwired with battery backup. Continuing along the grid it explains the smoke alarm location must be in the vicinity of bedrooms and on all four levels including the basement.

The rules are different for dealing with multi-family dwellings. There's a higher level of risk when you have multiple units that are inter-connected (sharing walls or floors). This is why there are separate boxes on the grid for multi-dwelling structures like duplexes, triplexes and apartment buildings.

New construction requirements are also more strict and are up at the top of the grid.

Under the “General Smoke Alarm Notes” there is very important information regarding the age of smoke detectors. Any more than ten-years old must be replaced prior to closing.

These requirements also distinguish between new and existing construction. There are also explanations based on owner occupancy, if it's multi-family, the number of units. This grid goes into different types of residences, like hotels and dorms. The more types of occupants the higher level of risk exists, and the more strict the guidelines.

These rules can change at any time, so bookmark the sheet to keep it handy.

Carbon monoxide detectors also have requirements about power supply and required locations. There are references with links to the laws that dictate these requirements.

There are notes at the bottom about carbon monoxide alarms. For example, CO alarms are only required on the levels where there are sleeping rooms.

Another note reminds homeowners that the sensors in CO alarms have a limited life. Keep in mind that carbon monoxide alarms will not last as long as smoke alarms.

Final Notes on Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Even if you’ve done everything right:

The dwelling only has photoelectric-type only smoke detectors
The smoke and carbon monoxide detectors use the correct power source
All levels of the dwelling have smoke detectors
All levels with bedrooms have carbon monoxide detectors
All bedrooms have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors within 10’ of them

you’re not in the clear forever. Smoke and CO detectors have an expiration date. After ten years, the smoke alarms will have to be replaced. CO detectors have a lifespan of about 5 years, so check the expiration date on the detector before going to the closing table.

This is a great resource to bookmark to help the next time you're shopping for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and alarms. Whether online or in-person, you can narrow your choices to find the appropriate detectors for your dwelling.

The video shows that using the grid and these features reduces 75 choices to 18.

If you have any questions or concerns about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, reach out. Hoffman Real Estate takes fire safety seriously and is happy to assist.

Vermont Rules for Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors