Lifesaving smoke-alarm standards slow to take hold
Nov 01, 2005, 4:00 am PST
Dear Barry,
Is it currently required that residential smoke detectors be
hard-wired and networked together throughout a home? If so, when did
these standards take effect? – Larry
Dear Larry,
Smoke alarms in dwellings must be hard-wired to the electrical
system. This requirement was introduced in the 1979 Uniform Building
Code. In 1991, the code was amended to include battery backup to ensure
that alarms would remain operable in the event of a power failure during
a fire.
Networking, which is the interconnection of all alarms within a home,
was introduced as a requirement in the 2000 building code. The purpose
of this new standard was to ensure that smoke at one end of a home would
activate all alarms, including those at the opposite end of the
dwelling. However, not all municipalities adopt code changes immediately
or simultaneously. Each state, county and city code-enforcement agency
accepts new versions of the building code in their own respective time
frames. To determine when these codes became law in your area, consult
your local building department.
Dear Barry,
How important is it for the buyer to be present for the home
inspection? We are buying a home in another state. Attendance at the
inspection may be difficult for us, and our agent says it's not
important that we be there. Are there any real advantages in attending
the inspection? – Seva
Dear Seva,
Attending your home inspection is essential to obtaining a full
understanding of the condition of the home you are buying. It is the
only opportunity you will have to take your time examining the property,
rather than simply walking through. More importantly, the value of the
inspection is magnified when the inspector can verbally review the
findings, show you the problems that were found, explain those problems,
and answer all of your questions. Unfortunately, geographical distances
can sometimes preclude the opportunity to attend the inspection. But
when attendance is possible, don't let anyone, not even your agent,
convince you to forego this informative process. Advice to the contrary
does not support your best interests.
Dear Barry,
One of your columns discussed who would be liable for failure to
disclose an unpermitted building addition discovered by the buyer after
closing escrow. You evaluated the positions of the seller and the home
inspector, but you never mentioned the title insurance company. Wouldn't
they be responsible for related losses, and shouldn't a title search
reveal the lack of a building permit? – Quentin
Dear Quentin,
Title reports do not involve disclosures of property defects or
determinations of permits for various stages of construction. Title
insurance companies are exclusively concerned with issues that could
adversely affect clear, uncontested ownership and unrestricted use of a
property. Pertinent issues in this regard include deeds of trust
securing loans, liens of various kinds, use easements, rights of way,
use restrictions, and other related circumstances that could denigrate a
property's overall value and general use. There is no way that a title
search would reveal an unpermitted addition, since the very circumstance
of being unpermitted precludes the existence of a paper trail that would
enable discovery.
To write to Barry Stone, please visit him on the Web at www.housedetective.com.
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Copyright 2005 Barry Stone
