Beginning January 1, 2025, home chefs and bakers will be one step closer to freedom from false, nuisance alarms that go off while food is cooking.
"Smoke alarms and smoke detectors shall not be installed between 10-20 ft along a horizontal flow path from a stationary or fixed cooking appliance, unless the devices are listed for RESISTANCE TO NUISANCE ALARMS."
Nuisance alarms are more than just annoying — they’re also dangerous, as they are often the reason why people disable the power sources from their smoke detectors.
According to a 2024 NFPA research report, smoke alarms were present in three-quarters of reported home fires from 2018 to 2022, but in 16% of cases, they failed to operate. In these cases, 35% of non-functioning alarms had missing or disconnected batteries, and 6% had a hardwired power failure, shutoff, or disconnect.
The new code is NOT mandatory unless adopted and enforced by local, state, provincial, or national governments.
The reason we are trying to raise awareness is to ensure residents have the latest information about home fire safety.
There is no need to go out and purchase all new smoke alarms. Residents can continue to use their existing smoke alarms so long as they are less than 10 years old.
Every smoke alarm manufactured after 1999 is required to have an date code on it. If there is no date code, the smoke alarm is older than 10 years and should be immediately replaced.
A smoke alarm detects smoke and sounds an alarm, while a smoke detector senses smoke and sends a signal to a fire alarm system.
Smoke alarms are stand-alone devices, while smoke detectors are part of a larger alarm system.
Smoke alarms must be replaced:
- Every 10 years based on the date of manufacture on the back label (7–10 years for combination CO/smoke alarm)
- If the alarm sounds an end-of-life signal (see back of alarm for description of signal)
- If the alarm fails a monthly test
- After a fire event.
Stephen Combs, Public Information Officer PIO
Bluffton Township Fire District
843-757-2800
http://www.SnokeAlarms.BlufftonFD.com
PIO@BlufftonFD.com
357 Fording Island Rd, Bluffton, SC 29909
WHHI Daily News Anchor: Robyn Zimmerman
January 2025
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