Radio frequency smoke detectors

[MBOS]

Where can i Find if wireless smokes that talk through radio frequency are code compliant in a three level town house looking to be rented out? Right now there is none.

 

[ron]

NFPA 72 covers its application

Here are some notes
http://www.systemsensor.com/pdf/A05-1003.pdf

This is an old article, but it gets the point across.
http://www.imsasafety.org/journal/ma07/6.pdf

 

[renosteinke]

NFPA 72? Are we confusing 'smoke alarms' with 'fire alarms,' perhaps?

This is an important distinction for the OP. While there is no reason a 'wireless' smoke alarm cannot be made, a 'smoke detector' network will not suffice where an alarm system is requires. With multiple residences, I suspect a proper fire alarm system is what he needs. "Smoke detectors" would only be required to sound all units within the same residence.

 

[lefty08]

If this is just a town house to be rented as a single unit (regardless of how many levels). Then, in my oppinion, smoke detectors only would be needed not a full blown fire alarm system. If this is the case they should all be inner connected (hard wired or wireless) were when one smoke goes off they all do. Not sure it is an NEC requirement. Here, locally, they require hard wired smokes with battery backup. How the smoke detectors talk amongst themselves is not a requirement. The "communication link" between them could be wired or wireless. I would just make sure there is no outside interference that would interfere with a wireless setup.

 

[dhalleron]

Actually "smoke alarms" are the ones that are not normally connected to a system. They have a built in alarm sounder. They can be battery operated or line voltage or both. They are defined as Single or Multiple Station Alarms by NFPA 72.

"Smoke detectors" do not always have a sounder and are monitored by a system. They are normally low voltage.

If the alarm or detector is listed for its purpose then it can be used unless your local AHJ has his own code requirement. There are wireless smoke alarms and wireless smoke detectors available.

If your townhouse is a single family unit, then per national fire alarm code you can install up to 12 wired or wireless interconnected smoke alarms. If the smoke detection is required to cover more than one family living space, then you will need a fire alarm system with wired or wireless smoke detectors that are listed for the use.

Kidde has wireless interconnected smoke alarms. There are a few manufacturers that make wireless smoke detector systems.

 

[gadfly56]

Where can i Find if wireless smokes that talk through radio frequency are code compliant in a three level town house looking to be rented out? Right now there is none.

Kidde, here. It looks like Baltimore requires the installation of at least one (1) wired detector, which you'll need with the Kidde product anyway. Otherwise Baltimore follows Maryland in general which means the IBC is in effect, which follows pretty much NFPA-72 IIRCC.