Will Philadelphia demand longer lasting smoke detectors?

A Philadelphia City Councilman wants to mandate extended-life smoke detectors in multi-family dwellings. 

Councilman Curtis Jones says by adding a lithium battery, a smoke detector can work for 10 years, which could save lives.

“Eighty-two percent of the fatalities last year was due to the fact there was not a smoke detector or a inoperable smoke detector due to battery life loss,” said Jones.

Jones admits he’s not sure if such a mandate could be enforced.

“We’re going to find out, we don’t know, that’s why we are going to have hearings we’re going to look at the intended and unintended consequences of what we can do but we’d like to explore increasing the safety factor for our citizens,” he said.

A hearing date on the issue has not been scheduled.