Provides that batteries in battery operated single station smoke detecting alarm devices shall be non-replaceable, non-removable and capable of powering the devices for a minimum of ten years.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3057A
SPONSOR: Morelle (MS) TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the general business law, in relation
to certain smoke detecting devices
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: This legislation provides that
battery operated smoke detectors within homes have batteries that are
non-replaceable, non-removable and will power the device for a minimum
of ten years.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new section 399-ccc sub-section 1 that makes it unlaw-
ful for any person to distribute, sell, offer for sale, install or
import any smoke detecting device, which is battery operated and is not
powered by a battery that is non-replaceable, non-removable and capable
of powering the device for a minimum of ten years.
Sub-section 2 requires that the product packaging include the manufac-
turer's name or registered trademark and model number and state that
the. battery has a minimum life of 10 years.
Sub-section 3 provision of this section shall not apply to smoke detect-
ing devices which have been ordered by, or are in inventory of owners,
managing agents, contractors wholesalers or retailers on or Wore the
effective date. Also applies to devices which receive their power from
the electrical system of a building, fire alarm systems with smoke
detectors, fire alarm devices that connect to a panel or other devices
with low-power radio frequency wireless communication signal.
Section 2 is the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION: New York State first required smoke alarms in homes in
1961 and as a result fire deaths have since been cut in half. Smoke
alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in
reducing fire deaths and injuries. Yet the data clearly shows that most
fire deaths today happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working
alarms.
Rending a smoke alarm inoperable by tampering with the alarm, removing
its batteries or failing to change its batteries can result in deadly
consequences. In the Consumer Products Safety Commission's National
Smoke Detector Project, 32% of consumers disable their smoke alarm when
they experienced unwanted alarm activation from such sources as cooking,
steam, cigarettes, dust or low battery chirps.
Long life, tamper resistant smoke alarms go to the core of addressing
disablement and failed maintenance by consumers, and do so in a cost
effective way. In recent years advancements have led to smoke alarms
that today prevent consumer tampering and that can power the alarm for a
minimum of ten years, as these alarms have become more available and
affordable, requiring the replacement of existing battery operated smoke
alarms with this more maintenance-free alarms will drive down fire
deaths and injuries.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 2011/2012: A10631-A - referred to govern-
mental operations 2013/2014: A5200C - referred to governmental oper-
ations reported to Rules
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None
EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect on January 1, 2017;
provided however, that effective immediately, all actions and procedures
with respect to the proposed adoption, amendment, suspension or repeal
of any rule or regulation for timely implementation of this act are
directed and authorized to be made and completed on or before such
effective date.
