Smoke detectors required in all bedrooms in new Patchogue construction

By DEON J. HAMPTON deon.hampton@newsday.com

New homes in Patchogue homes must be built with a smoke detector in every bedroom and in its hallways, under a new village law approved Monday night.

When you think about it, it really is the thing to do, Village Mayor Paul Pontieri Jr. after the meeting in which the change to the fire code was adopted in a 6-0 trustee vote. Many, many fires start because people smoke in bed. Many people die because smoke detectors go dead.

Additionally, all new smoke detectors must be hard wired in the house and interconnected instead of battery-powered types of detectors.

The village code also requires homes to have carbon monoxide detectors. The changes bring the village code in line with the New York State Fire Code, Patchogue Village.

Attorney Brian Egan said, adding that the code hasn’t been updated since 1995. The village wanted to modernize its fire and safety provisions to align them with the New York State Fire Code, Egan said.

Joseph Sauerwein, chairman of the standards and code committee for the Albany-based Firemen’s Association for the State of New York, said all municipalities except New York City are required to enforce the state fire provisions, but local governments can have more restrictive codes if they choose.

Sauerwein said Patchogue’s new law sounded like a house keeping issue to update the code to state standards.

The Patchogue board Monday night also approved sending the $2.5 million River Avenue Sewer Extension out to bid. The project would remove asphalt and install drainage structures, underground chambers and sewer lines to 55 homes on River Avenue in south Patchogue.