Retrofitting Sprinklers, Smoke Detectors, and Carbon-Monoxide Detectors

Currently, numerous National Multi Housing Council and National Apartment Association firms and affiliates are being pressed to retrofit their existing apartments with sprinklers and smoke detectors. In many cases, the local officials are basing the decision on what they think the codes require, resulting in misinformation. Building and fire codes are designed for new construction and are to be enforced from the date of adoption forward. The codes are not intended to be retroactive unless the provisions in the code specifically say they are intended for existing buildings.