In July of 2010, the City of Albany became the first US City to require every new building to be equipped with  Photoelectric Smoke Alarms. Photoelectric smoke alarms, which use a light beam to detect the presence of smoke have fewer false alarms and are more effective at sounding when a fire originates from a smoldering source, like a lit cigarette that falls into a couch cushion. Smoldering fires can fill a home with dangerous gases before a fire ever erupts. Albany Fire Chief Urges Switching Smoke Alarms

Ordinance No. 2010-06: Regulations for Smoke Alarms & Smoke Detectors