An ordinance being proposed by the Springfield Fire Department would affect owners and landlords of all one or two family rental properties.
The department wants to require them to install smoke alarms on every level, in every bedroom and outside each sleeping area. Landlords and property owners would also be required to install a new battery in all alarms at least once a year.
According to the Springfield Fire Department, since the beginning of 2015, 63% of all residential fires in Springfield have occurred in rental properties. Of those, nearly 66% occurred in one or two-family dwellings.
Currently, rental properties built before 2000 are only required to install one smoke alarm per unit. The department says more than 90% of the rental properties in Springfield are grandfathered into the old code.
The fire department plans to meet with those representing the rental community before making a final recommendation. Springfield City Council would make the final decision on the proposed changes.
