2013 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 23 - Law Enforcement and Public Safety
CHAPTER 9 - STATE FIRE MARSHAL
SECTION 23-9-155. Installation of smoke detectors in apartments houses having no fire protection system; limitations on liability; promulgation of regulations.

Every dwelling unit within an apartment house having no fire protection system must be provided with an approved listed smoke detector, installed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation and listing. The smoke detector must be mounted on the ceiling or wall at a point centrally located in the corridor or area giving access to each group of rooms used for sleeping purposes. Where the dwelling unit contains more than one story, detectors are required on each story including cellars and basements, but not including uninhabitable attics. In dwelling units with split levels, a smoke detector must be installed only on the upper level, if the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level, except that if there is a door between levels then a detector is required on each level. Detectors must be connected to a sounding device or other detector to provide an alarm which must be audible in the sleeping areas. Smoke detectors must be listed and meet the installation requirements of National Fire Protection Association Standard 72A and National Fire Protection Association Standard 74.

If the smoke detector malfunctions, and the malfunctioning is caused by the tenant's intentional or negligent act, the landlord is not liable for damage caused by the malfunctioning of the device if the fire causing the damage is not the result of the landlord's intentional or negligent act.

If the smoke detector malfunctions, and the malfunctioning is caused by the negligent production of the device, the landlord is not liable for damage caused by the malfunctioning if the landlord had no knowledge of the defective condition and exercised reasonable care in the acquisition and installation of the device, and if the fire causing the damage is not the result of the landlord's intentional or negligent act.

The Division of the State Fire Marshal shall promulgate regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this section shall take effect one year after approval by the Governor.

HISTORY: Former Section 23-45-160 [1986 Act No. 430, Section 40; 1988 Act No. 658, Part II, Section 25B] redesignated Section 23-9-155 by 1990 Act No. 528, Section 16; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 351.