16 smoke detectors Residential

[tico17]

Here in the wild west we don't really care to be regulated to death, though we are pretty relaxed with some of those types of regulations compared to some places, many still feel big brother watches too much.

More of the recent regulations regard environmental impact concerns, otherwise let people do what they want on their own property as long as is doesn't impact someone else.

Inspecting homes when they are sold around here - often is required by lenders more so then any laws or for the interest of the purchaser. Otherwise you are purchasing something as-is, there is no warranty on a used home. A new home being sold by the builder/developer is a little different situation, but should have been inspected by any AHJ that applies anyway.

i will be honest with the owner and tell him that he needs a fire alarm system if we follow his architect's drawing but if we get rid of theater room and media room SD, he won't need this system....it will be up to him.

 

[kwired]

i will be honest with the owner and tell him that he needs a fire alarm system if we follow his architect's drawing but if we get rid of theater room and media room SD, he won't need this system....it will be up to him.

You could still have smoke alarms in those rooms, just don't hook them to the interconnect lead with the areas that require smoke alarms.

I think.

 

[gadfly56]

You could still have smoke alarms in those rooms, just don't hook them to the interconnect lead with the areas that require smoke alarms.

I think.

If this is new construction and the OP's jurisdiction follows the IRC, he can't do that. All the smoke alarms in new construction need to be interconnected, and you need to cover all the required areas. As the construction is 10,000 sq ft, the HO can well afford a low voltage fire alarm system.

 

[curt swartz]

If this is new construction and the OP's jurisdiction follows the IRC, he can't do that. All the smoke alarms in new construction need to be interconnected, and you need to cover all the required areas. As the construction is 10,000 sq ft, the HO can well afford a low voltage fire alarm system.

The IRC requires all alarms to be interconnected even if they are not in areas requiring smoke alarms?

Most single family dwelling jobs we work on have hardwired interconnected smoke alarms installed in all the required areas (bedrooms, hallways, etc). The security alarm contractor will then install their own smoke detectors in the hallways so the hallway ends up with 2 devices (ours and theirs). You are saying this is a violation since their devices are not interconnected with ours?

 

[tico17]

The IRC requires all alarms to be interconnected even if they are not in areas requiring smoke alarms?

Most single family dwelling jobs we work on have hardwired interconnected smoke alarms installed in all the required areas (bedrooms, hallways, etc). The security alarm contractor will then install their own smoke detectors in the hallways so the hallway ends up with 2 devices (ours and theirs). You are saying this is a violation since their devices are not interconnected with ours?

you're right by elimating the ones i dont know im not in violation of our code since its clear that we need them in sleeping areas and outside of sleeping area, its clear on permit drawing that media room is not a bedroom

 

[steve66]

The IRC requires all alarms to be interconnected even if they are not in areas requiring smoke alarms?

Most single family dwelling jobs we work on have hardwired interconnected smoke alarms installed in all the required areas (bedrooms, hallways, etc). The security alarm contractor will then install their own smoke detectors in the hallways so the hallway ends up with 2 devices (ours and theirs). You are saying this is a violation since their devices are not interconnected with ours?

Yes, smoke alarms are generally required to be interconnected. If a smoke detector goes off in the basement, it doesn't do any good if someone upstairs can't hear it.

So in most areas having two separate systems would technically be a violation, but it doesn't really break the intent of the code, since the detectors are installed close to each other, and they will generally both go off.

My guess is that most inspectors are reasonable enough not to require two separate systems to be interconnected when they duplicate coverage areas.

 

[steve66]

Here in the wild west we don't really care to be regulated to death, though we are pretty relaxed with some of those types of regulations compared to some places, many still feel big brother watches too much.

Generally I would agree, but I can't believe nobody checks smoke's and CO detectors on new construction. It's bad enough when people don't bother to maintain them.

Just in the last week, I've heard about 2 fatal fires in a single small town of 5,600 people resulting in 3 fatalities. I don't know for sure, but I doubt if either house had working smoke detectors.

 

[gadfly56]

Yes, smoke alarms are generally required to be interconnected. If a smoke detector goes off in the basement, it doesn't do any good if someone upstairs can't hear it.

So in most areas having two separate systems would technically be a violation, but it doesn't really break the intent of the code, since the detectors are installed close to each other, and they will generally both go off.

My guess is that most inspectors are reasonable enough not to require two separate systems to be interconnected when they duplicate coverage areas.

Not really. If the smoke alarm system covers all the required areas without exceeding the 12 smoke alarm limit, you can have a parallel low voltage smoke detector system as well, even under the 2006 IRC. I believe the 2009 IRC finally allowed you to use either or, so that putting in both would be a waste.

 

[gadfly56]

The IRC requires all alarms to be interconnected even if they are not in areas requiring smoke alarms?

Most single family dwelling jobs we work on have hardwired interconnected smoke alarms installed in all the required areas (bedrooms, hallways, etc). The security alarm contractor will then install their own smoke detectors in the hallways so the hallway ends up with 2 devices (ours and theirs). You are saying this is a violation since their devices are not interconnected with ours?

Yes, if you have them they have to be connected. Now if you are eliminating non-required smoke alarms to get you to the 12-alarm limit and you still maintain all the required coverage you would be good to go. Again, why not just go with a residential panel? Something like Honeywell's Vista 32 can handle wireless smoke detectors with no problem, and you just need to install notification appliances where required.

 

[kwired]

Generally I would agree, but I can't believe nobody checks smoke's and CO detectors on new construction. It's bad enough when people don't bother to maintain them.

Just in the last week, I've heard about 2 fatal fires in a single small town of 5,600 people resulting in 3 fatalities. I don't know for sure, but I doubt if either house had working smoke detectors.

Nobody does check here. If it weren't for statewide electrical inspection they wouldn't get electrical inspection period. If a city or village has a local building inspection department then you might get things like that required, but most towns here under 2500 or so don't have that, and even some up to about 5000 don't have that.

Next place that looks for it, insurance providers and/or lending institutions.

 

[tico17]

Yes, if you have them they have to be connected. Now if you are eliminating non-required smoke alarms to get you to the 12-alarm limit and you still maintain all the required coverage you would be good to go. Again, why not just go with a residential panel? Something like Honeywell's Vista 32 can handle wireless smoke detectors with no problem, and you just need to install notification appliances where required.

sounds easy and looks easy to install that panel but its something that i don't do (fire alarm) i will have to hire another company for that and they are ready for drywall it will be too late, thanks for your help