sMOKE DETECTOR PLACEMENT IN DWELLINGS

[Rick Mayes]

Where and what is the requirement for placement of smoke detectors in residences, particularly in hall ways outside of multiple bedrooms?

 

[roger]

Tihs information is not in the NEC, it is in local building codes and covered in NFPA 72.

Roger

 

[George Stolz]

Check out this link.

 

[cowboyjwc]

It is in the UBC or the IBC, whichever you are using in your area.

 

[Brady Electric]

Smoke Dector Placement in Dwellings

Smoke Dector Placement in Dwellings

Where and what is the requirement for placement of smoke detectors in residences, particularly in hall ways outside of multiple bedrooms?

It is not in the NEC. There are instructions included with the smoke dectors you buy or try the web site that's recommended. Semper Fi.

 

[cowboyjwc]

I'll be a nice guy.

310.9.1.4 Location within dwelling units. In dwelling units, a smoke alarm shall be installed in each sleeping room and at a point centrally located in the corridor or area giving access to each separate sleeping area. When the dwelling unit has more than one story and in dwellings with basements, a smoke alarm shall be installed on each story and in the basement......Smoke alarms shall sound an alarm audible in all sleeping areas of the dwelling unit in which they are located.

 

[brantmacga]

i think it also says they must be installed in the highest part of the ceiling, or if on an adjacent wall, between 4"-12" from the ceiling. also it must be 36" away from a bathroom door that contains a tub or shower, and 36" away from hvac registers. although i've never seen any of this enforced.

 

[cowboyjwc]

No, but it does say somthing about if the hall or bedroom ceiling is higher. The things you mention, I believe, are in the installation instructions.

 

[ryan_618]

From the IRC:

R313.1 Smoke detection and notification.
All smoke alarms shall be listed in accordance with UL 217 and installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and the household fire warning equipment provisions of NFPA 72.
Household fire alarm systems installed in accordance with NFPA 72 that include smoke alarms, or a combination of smoke detector and audible notification device installed as required by this section for smoke alarms, shall be permitted. The household fire alarm system shall provide the same level of smoke detection and alarm as required by this section for smoke alarms in the event the fire alarm panel is removed or the system is not connected to a central station.
R313.2 Location.
Smoke alarms shall be installed in the following locations:
1. In each sleeping room.
2. Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
3. On each additional story of the dwelling, including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.
When more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit the alarm devices shall be interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit.
R313.2.1 Alterations, repairs and additions.
When alterations, repairs or additions requiring a permit occur, or when one or more sleeping rooms are added or created in existing dwellings, the individual dwelling unit shall be equipped with smoke alarms located as required for new dwellings; the smoke alarms shall be interconnected and hard wired.
Exceptions:
1. Inter connection and hard-wiring of smoke alarms in existing areas shall not be required where the alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available which could provide access for hard wiring and interconnection without the removal of interior finishes.
2. Work involving the exterior surfaces of dwellings, such as the replacement of roofing or siding, or the addition or replacement of windows or doors, or the addition of a porch or deck, are exempt from the requirements of this section.
R313.3 Power source.
In new construction, the required smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring when such wiring is served from a commercial source, and when primary power is interrupted, shall receive power from a battery. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than those required for overcurrent protection. Smoke alarms shall be permitted to be battery operated when installed in buildings without commercial power or in buildings that undergo alterations, repairs or additions regulated by Section R313.2.1.

 

[brantmacga]

The things you mention, I believe, are in the installation instructions.

they're in nfpa 72 which is what we're supposed to go by in GA, as nfpa overrides any elec reference in the building code.

 

[cowboyjwc]

Here in CA the local jurisdictions do not adopt NFPA 72 so we do not enforce it.

 

[roger]

Here in CA the local jurisdictions do not adopt NFPA 72 so we do not enforce it.

John, I have found that other codes and manufacturers instructions are basically taken from NFPA 72.

Roger

 

[cowboyjwc]

Roger, That may be true. My point was we use the section on smoke alarms out of the UBC for placement and wiring. Which says almost the same thing as NFPA 72. Things like not near a door or vent, or located at the highest point of the ceiling comes out of the manufactures instructions and is not a code issue unless you use 110.3(B).