Dubuque Officials To Change City Code on Smoke Alarm Systems

City of Dubuque officials plan to correct an error in city code that could allow for potentially unsafe conditions in older residential buildings. The ordinance in question was intended to require the installation of interconnected smoke-alarm systems in older, multi-floor residential buildings, but under its current wording, it makes the installation of those safety measures optional. Thursday’s meeting of the city Building Code Advisory and Appeals Board was canceled because of a lack of a quorum, but when the panel next meets, it will consider a staff-proposed amendment to the ordinance that changes the wording to ensure that smoke-alarm systems are installed in those buildings. The board’s recommendation then will go to the City Council.