MEMO

By act of the Vermont Legislature, effective April 1, 2005, chapter 85 of title 9 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated was repealed. A license to sell lightning rods, fire alarms, and fire detection equipment or systems; or to install battery operated single station smoke alarms is no longer required.

These laws were developed over 30 years ago to protect consumers. Battery operated single station smoke alarms are still installed in existing single-family dwellings and as supplemental protection in dwellings. The manufacturer’s instructions that come with the smoke alarm provide adequate information to correctly install the unit. No special knowledge or training is required. For all new construction, and existing multi-family dwellings with three or more units, smoke alarms and fire detection equipment and systems are required to be directly wired to the building electrical system. A license is still required for installation of directly wired smoke alarms and fire detection equipment and systems.

The Electrician’s Licensing Board has established several license classifications that regulate the installation of lightning rods, fire alarms, and fire detection equipment or systems. The following type-S Journeyman Electrician licenses remain in effect: (G7)l Lightning Rod Installation, (G7)h 1 & 2 Family Dwelling Household Fire Detection and Alarm Systems (electrical) and (G7)c Commercial Fire Alarm Systems.

The installation of electrical systems, including lighting rods, in public buildings must be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed master electrician or a properly licensed type-S journeyman electrician. Similarly, a certificate of fitness is required under the Vermont Fire and Building Safety Code for the design, installation, inspection, maintenance and testing of fire alarm and detection systems and equipment. Sellers of these devices no longer need a license.