# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 26E: Residential buildings or structures; installation of smoke detectors > Massachusetts · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S26E ## Section - **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 26E - **Heading:** Residential buildings or structures; installation of smoke detectors - **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title XX / Chapter 148 / Section 26E ## Text Section 26E. (a) All one and two family dwellings occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and not regulated by section twenty-six A or twenty-six B shall be equipped with approved smoke detectors. Owners of such buildings or structures shall install either an approved monitored battery powered smoke detector or an approved primary power smoke detector on each level of habitation and on the basement level; provided, however, that the head of the fire department shall allow the installation of approved monitored battery powered smoke detectors. Such approved smoke detectors shall be installed in the following manner; an approved smoke detector shall be installed on the ceiling of each stairway leading to the floor above, near the base of, but not within each stairway and an approved smoke detector shall be installed outside each separate sleeping area. (b) Buildings or structures occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and containing not less than three nor more than five units and not regulated by section twenty-six A, twenty-six B or twenty-six C shall be equipped with approved smoke detectors. Owners of such buildings or structures shall install either an approved monitored battery powered smoke detector or an approved primary power smoke detector outside each separate sleeping area; provided, however, that the head of the fire department shall allow the installation of approved monitored battery powered smoke detectors; and provided, further, that in all common hallways and basements of said residential buildings or structures a series of interconnected approved primary power smoke detectors shall be installed. (c) For the purposes of this section, approved primary power shall mean an alternating current primary source of electric power furnished by an electric power or light company municipally operated or operating under the authority of the department of telecommunications and energy which is the primary source of electricity or is a secondary source but is permanently wired thereto and will become operational upon the failure of the primary source of power. (d) The head of the fire department shall enforce the provisions of this section. The provisions of section thirty shall not apply to this section. Section 26E. (a) All one and two family dwellings occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and not regulated by section twenty-six A or twenty-six B shall be equipped with approved smoke detectors. Owners of such buildings or structures shall install either an approved monitored battery powered smoke detector or an approved primary power smoke detector on each level of habitation and on the basement level; provided, however, that the head of the fire department shall allow the installation of approved monitored battery powered smoke detectors. Such approved smoke detectors shall be installed in the following manner; an approved smoke detector shall be installed on the ceiling of each stairway leading to the floor above, near the base of, but not within each stairway and an approved smoke detector shall be installed outside each separate sleeping area. (b) Buildings or structures occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and containing not less than three nor more than five units and not regulated by section twenty-six A, twenty-six B or twenty-six C shall be equipped with approved smoke detectors. Owners of such buildings or structures shall install either an approved monitored battery powered smoke detector or an approved primary power smoke detector outside each separate sleeping area; provided, however, that the head of the fire department shall allow the installation of approved monitored battery powered smoke detectors; and provided, further, that in all common hallways and basements of said residential buildings or structures a series of interconnected approved primary power smoke detectors shall be installed. primary power smoke detector outside each separate sleeping area; provided, however, that the head of the fire department shall allow the installation of approved monitored battery powered smoke detectors; and provided, further, that in all common hallways and basements of said residential buildings or structures a series of interconnected approved primary power smoke detectors shall be installed. (c) For the purposes of this section, approved primary power shall mean an alternating current primary source of electric power furnished by an electric power or light company municipally operated or operating under the authority of the department of telecommunications and energy which is the primary source of electricity or is a secondary source but is permanently wired thereto and will become operational upon the failure of the primary source of power. (d) The head of the fire department shall enforce the provisions of this section. The provisions of section thirty shall not apply to this section. ## Nearby sections - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 1 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S1.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 2 Investigations of fires or explosions by local officials; notice to marshal of suspicious origins or undetermined causes; reports; records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S2.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 2A Notice of unauthorized ignition of fire within public or private schools or on school grounds; submission of report by school principal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S2A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 3 Investigations by marshal; examination of witnesses; perjury; criminal complaint; prosecutions; reports to commissioner of insurance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S3.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 4 Persons authorized to enter and inspect premises; inspections of institutions; reports](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S4.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 5 Investigation of premises and alleys as to fire hazards; remedy of conditions; expenses; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S5.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 5A Unvented liquid fired space heaters; use or sale prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S5A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 6 Neglect or refusal of officers to comply with duty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S6.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 7 Reports of marshal and commissioner of insurance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S7.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 8 Reports to heads of fire departments, insurance companies, property owners and other interested persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S8.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 9 Regulations relating to explosives and inflammable materials; reports of quantities and locations; ordinances and by-laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S9.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 9A Model rocket engines; storage; manufacture; use; sale](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S9A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 10 Regulations relative to fire prevention](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S10.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 10A Heads of fire departments; permits; inspections; records; fees; list of fire department heads](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S10A.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S26E. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.