Montpelier, Vermont - February 21, 2008

A senate committee unanimously passed a bill requiring homes have photoelectric detectors.

Photo-electric detectors go off faster in flaming fires-- the leading cause of fire deaths. But more than 90-percent of homes have ionization technology. The bill would require photoelectric detectors in new construction of single family homes. And existing single family homes would have the technology installed at the point of sale during a real estate transaction.

The bill was prompted by a fatal fire in Barre two years ago that killed five people-- their ionization smoke detector was not going off when firefighters arrived. State fire officials say they're also now considering changing the state fire code so the detector rule would also apply to businesses, multi-family homes and condos.

"Passing a piece of legislation is important-- it's word on papers. It's now going to be up to fire prevention division the realtors those who sell smoke detectors to help educate the public and this is something you should consider for your own home, your own commercial property, your business, because in the end we do think it will save lives," said Sen. Vince Illuzzi, R-Essex/Orleans.

The bill now heads to the full senate and then it still has to pass the House. If it does become law, Vermont would be the first state to require just photoelectric detectors.

Kristin Carlson - WCAX News