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Over the last several months, OHFA has issued industry messages regarding HUD’s NSPIRE smoke detector requirements. Owners/management agents must begin taking action now in order to be in compliance with the requirements.
A federal mandate on smoke detectors must be implemented by December 29, 2024. All smoke detectors will be required to be hardwired OR of the sealed 10-year-battery type. Further information is found here:
On May 11, 2023, HUD published a Final Notice on NSPIRE that indicated the programs that would be changing their protocols to NSPIRE. Programs include but are not limited to:
- HOME
- NHTF
- Project-based Section 8
- Section 202/811
- Public Housing
- Housing Choice Vouchers
- LIHTC through 24 CFR 5.703
Since OHFA will adopt NSPIRE standards, 24 CFR 5.703 is now NSPIRE. Owners of LIHTC projects (with or without HUD assistance) are required to comply with the smoke detector mandate.
Note: OHFA auditors will not remove a functioning detector to see if it is of the sealed lithium battery type for audits occurring on or after December 29, 2024. As such, OHFA highly recommends owners/management agents keep a tracking log to record when compliant smoke detectors are installed for each unit.
On June 11, 2024, HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) clarified two specific elements of the smoke alarm standard:
- Smoke alarms should be installed at least 10 feet from a cooking appliance.
- Smoke alarms should not be installed near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation.
Both elements were previously indicated as enforceable but should have been interpreted as recommendations. In short, OHFA will not cite these two elements as deficiencies.
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