In an effort to bring homes up to code with fire regulations, the Centre Region Council of Governments approved a program Monday night that will offer free smoke detectors to single-family home owners.
During the past several months, COG's code administration committee has been working on a program to encourage the installation of smoke detectors in the Centre Region. They are aimed at providing fire companies with earlier notices of fires.
COG representative Ruth Lavin said one of the initial plans discussed at a previous meeting would have required the mandatory installation of smoke detectors by residents. She said the wording of the new program is to encourage, but not mandate, the installation of smoke detectors.
The approved plan will offer the free smoke detectors and installation to single-family, owner-occupied homes in the State College Borough and College, Ferguson, Harris and Patton townships.
COG Fire Administrator Walter Wise said the program could begin in two months, depending on the approval of the Alpha and Boalsburg Fire Companies. The two fire companies, which will install the devices free of charge, are considering the program.
"We'd like all the homes to have the proper number of smoke detectors," Wise said.
Lavin said members of the State College Borough Council raised a question about the number of smoke detectors available to each family. The program does not limit one smoke detector to every home.
"Some houses require more than one," Wise said. "We felt it was important to put three in if needed."
Lavin said the program will benefit residents in the Centre Region who may not have the fire-safety devices.
"I think it's a good concept," she said.
The program designed by the committee would involve the purchase of the smoke detectors and batteries. More than 1,600 smoke detectors will be bought for an estimated cost of $8,185. The reduced cost of a unit is about $5.
Committee chairman Donald Suit said the units are being purchased through a competitive bidding process. The property owners will be responsible for the maintenance of the units, he said.
The smoke detectors will be installed in local homes at no charge to the property owners when certain conditions are met. Those conditions include installation of the detectors by either the Alpha or Boalsburg Fire Companies, and property owners must sign a waiver relieving COG and the fire companies from all liabilty that might arise from the installation and operation.
The fire companies will accept donations for the installation of the smoke detectors.
