City Hall offices and Lenexa Old Town Activity Center will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 7. Other facilities have adjusted hours.
There are special areas of concern when it comes to fire safety in multifamily housing like apartment buildings. Residents in apartment buildings live closer together and they affect each other’s fire risk. The chances of starting a fire in an apartment are about the same as in a single-family home, but apartment fires can spread quickly throughout the building.
The City of Lenexa requires that all rental units have smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and and at least one fire extinguisher (minimum 2.5-pound ABC extinguisher with indicating gauge) installed by the landlord that meet current residential code requirements.
Smoke alarms must be installed:
Smoke alarms must be interconnected. They can be wirelessly interconnected when the home does not have existing wiring to physically interconnect the alarms.
Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed:
Homes requiring more than one carbon monoxide alarm (sleeping rooms on two separate levels) are required to have interconnected carbon monoxide alarms.
Residents of rental units are responsible for testing the installed smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly. Replacement of the alarm batteries may be the resident’s responsibility depending on the rental agreement.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms need to be replaced when they fail to respond when tested or when they exceed 10 years from the date of manufacture, or sooner if required by the manufacturer. If you find that your smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarms are not properly installed or are in need of replacement, it is your responsibility to inform your landlord.
Charcoal grills and other open-flame cooking devices, like pellet-fed grills, may not be used or stored on apartment balconies made of combustible materials, like wood, or within 10 feet of a building.
Propane grills may be used on decks and patios if the patio or balcony is protected by an automatic sprinkler system. Some apartment complexes may be more restrictive so check with your property manager before using a grill. Propane containers, whether empty or full, may not be stored on decks, patios, or in basements, garages or storage areas.
Fire pits, chimineas, and other open flame devices are not allowed on apartment decks and patios.
Fire code amendments for apartment managers(PDF, 547KB)
If you are a tenant with fire safety questions or concerns that are not resolved by contacting your landlord or you are a landlord with questions about your responsibilities related to fire safety, contact the Lenexa Fire Department Prevention Division at 913.477.7990.