Fight the building inspectors (Pittsburgh: real estate, rental, insurance)

[DrDad]

I'm having a bathroom remodeled. The (Allegheny) County building inspector passed the work in progress and then claimed that I had to have smoke detectors installed. I've got bid for $3500 to put in nine of them. (It's a 3 story in Squirrel Hill that a real estate agent would call a 5-bedroom, although there's only one room in which people sleep.)

I hate smoke detectors. They're ugly and the go off for no reason. I do not want them in my house! (If your tempted to "flame" at me -- ouch -- consider yourself suitably imprecated.)

Does anyone know how I can fight this? The inspector is not due back until after the work is done, so what could he do?

A reference to a lawyer who could handle this might be helpful. I'd rather spend the money on lawyers than smoke detectors.

[amstel78]

I understand that you don't like the aesthetics of smoke detectors, however, do consider the safety benefits they provide not just to you, but to the others living in your home.

I can't speak about code requirements in your area, but if the building inspector wants smoke detectors as part of code compliance, then there really isn't much you can do if you want your construction to be approved. Perhaps you should try to find something like a recessed or stealth smoke detector that wouldn't protrude from the ceiling.

Here's a suggestion:
Silhouette Smoke Alarm

Just my opinion, but hiring an attorney to fight an inspector that's trying to maintain proper building and safety codes isn't rational. If you have to put looks above safety, then do consider a product similar to the Kidde.

[greg42]

Dude I expect this to be a total flamefest essentially. They're ugly and they'll save your ass or more importantly your kids given that you have dad as part of your username. Modern detectors have easy buttons for any false alarms, and if they are located correctly they will not false anyway. I have a small house with short ceilings and still don't get false alarms (except when they were using the torch to install the new water heater, that's the only time it's gone off!)

It doesn't have to cost $3500 either, unless you're totally useless at hanging them up. I'm sure that's for something interconnected. It may be code now that they should be interconnected, but you can get ones that connect wirelessly, and even those only cost around $50 apiece as I recall. So save 3 grand and put them in yourself.

What the inspector can do is not sign off on the occupancy or whatever you need after the work is done. I highly doubt you can fight anything about smoke detectors.

[Mr. Mon]

Originally Posted by DrDad

I'm having a bathroom remodeled. The (Allegheny) County building inspector passed the work in progress and then claimed that I had to have smoke detectors installed. I've got bid for $3500 to put in nine of them. (It's a 3 story in Squirrel Hill that a real estate agent would call a 5-bedroom, although there's only one room in which people sleep.)[

I hate smoke detectors. They're ugly and the go off for no reason. I do not want them in my house! (If your tempted to "flame" at me -- ouch -- consider yourself suitably imprecated.)

Sorry, but smoke detectors are required by code. They not only protect you and your family, but your neighbors as well. Not having a smoke detector is a detriment to you and potentially your entire block.

Also, you do not have to have hard wired -moke detectors installed for existing construction. I'd check to confirm this, but battery operated detectors should suffice, and will cost you a few hundred bucks at most. Go ahead and get a few that also detect CO.

Does anyone know how I can fight this? The inspector is not due back until after the work is done, so what could he do?

A reference to a lawyer who could handle this might be helpful. I'd rather spend the money on lawyers than smoke detectors.

You can't fight it. "I don't like the way they look," isn't an exception to life safety measures in building and fire codes.

[Kippy]

Seat belts are ugly, too, but I wear one whenever in a moving car. You'll only spend more if you go the lawyer route, as you'll likely lose and be facing lawyer fees on top of the installation fee. Do you ever plan on selling the home? I for one wouldn't consider buying a home without smoke detectors.

[ML North]

You can get them from the Pittsburgh Fire Department -- Fo' FREE! I think they'll even come install them if you're unable to do so yourself.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire - Programs

[Benzman66]

In any type rental building, smoke detectors have to be connected to a central panel and usually monitored by an alarm company 24/7. It normally depends on how many units are in the building which you would have to check ordinances for what the limit is, but typically each bedroom has to have one as well as the main halls/laundry/furnace room in the building.

[UKyank]

I'm not supporting this idea; but I suppose you could get those ones that take batteries and just stick to the ceiling, hang them, show them to the inspector, then take them all down and return them.
If your house burns down though, the insurance company might be happy to find out you didnt have any warning alarms installed...

[South Range Family]

Originally Posted by DrDad

I hate smoke detectors. They're ugly and the go off for no reason. I do not want them in my house! (If your tempted to "flame" at me -- ouch -- consider yourself suitably imprecated.)

The inspector is not due back until after the work is done, so what could he do?

He could refuse an occupancy permit. Your insurance company would refuse to pay for any loss, and your loan company would then sue you for not properly insuring their property.

That's what he could do.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by amstel78

I understand that you don't like the aesthetics of smoke detectors, however, do consider the safety benefits they provide not just to you, but to the others living in your home.

Yes, like going off when I cook anything.

So beneficial.