ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, January 30, 1996 TAG: 9601300084
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: What's on your mind?
SOURCE: RAY REED
Q: What are other localities in Western Virginia doing about installing smoke detectors, in view of Roanoke's apparent difficulty in enforcing the code requiring smoke detectors in homes?
N.S., Roanoke
A: Half a dozen other cities in Western Virginia have adopted the statewide building code's maintenance section, which requires smoke detectors in all residential housing.
Most counties don't have the maintenance code, choosing instead to require smoke detectors only in new construction.
Each city seems to enforce the smoke-detector requirements differently.
Lynchburg, which has a systematic program of inspecting rental units by appointment with the landlord, probably has the most effective smoke-detector enforcement. If a detector is missing, the landlord gets a notice to install a battery-powered unit within 24 hours.
Radford also has a high standard for smoke detectors. All buildings with two or more apartments had to be retrofitted with modern detector systems that are wired into the building's electrical supply. Each alarm has a battery backup; and if one sounds, the others also go off, said Bob Long, building inspector.
Salem has an aggressive program, too, conducting occupancy inspections for the past 22 years every time a new tenant or owner calls to have the power turned on.
Battery-powered smoke detectors are required in Salem, although tenants might fail to replace the battery. James Nininger, a Salem building official, said his office is looking for a sponsor to provide batteries when inspectors find one is needed.
Nininger said the program has helped Salem avoid most of the typical substandard-housing problems.
Blacksburg's smoke-detector enforcement is done under a town code adopted in 1979. It requires battery-powered detectors in older apartment buildings, but only if they have four units or more, said Bob Miller, building inspector.
Blacksburg adopted the statewide building code's maintenance section last year, but smoke-detector enforcement is done under the town code, Miller said. He urges, but does not require, owners of buildings with three or fewer units to install detectors.
In Danville, the code is enforced in a manner similar to Roanoke's, said Charles Norton, Danville building inspector.
That means inspections are done when there are complaints, and that battery-powered detectors are required in sleeping areas and on each level if the home has more than one floor.
Dirty snow gives park a black eye
Q: I wonder about Roanoke's dumping snow in Washington Park. It's dirty, black and polluted. Why wasn't this refuse from the streets spread around to other parks?
K.M., Roanoke
A: Snow from downtown streets was hauled to Washington Park in Northeast and Fallon Park in Southeast. Parking areas at their pools can hold snow until it melts.
The parking lots will be cleaned before swimming season, said Bill Clark, public works director.
Have a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Give us a call at 981-3118. Or, e-mail RoatimesInfi.Net. Maybe we can find the answer.
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