Residential smoke detector requirements in NJ

[jjhoward]

Working with a homeowner selling their house that was built in the 1940s. 3 bedrooms; 2 on 1st floor, 1 on the 2nd floor, an oil fired boiler in the basement.
There are presently 2 interconnected AC powered detectors on the 1st floor; outside of the 2 bedrooms.
Local fire inspector says we must wire the 2nd floor bedroom with an interconnected smoke detector, but he cannot provide a code reference. He explains that if there is any AC powered detectors in a house, you must maintain that type of detector throughout. He reference the "International Fire Code " (maybe he meant National?)
NJ edition.
Is there a code reference that explains this?
I see DCA states that as of Jan 1 2019, any house built prior to 1977 can have wireless, 10 yr sealed battery detectors. Inspector claims the presence of any AC powered detectors requires all detectors to be wired regardless of the age of the house. A code reference would be great.
Thank you.

 

[Fred B]

Requirements are in the building code not NEC. NEC simply says proper wiring methods.
I think his comment relates to the ability for every detector to be activated by a single detector sensing an issue. An option if wiring is an issue they make a wireless that will interconnect to the other wired devices wirelessly via a wifi signal. One of the wired units would need to be changed to become a master that creates the wifi signal for the companion wireless detectors.

 

[jjhoward]

Requirements are in the building code not NEC. NEC simply says proper wiring methods.
I think his comment relates to the ability for every detector to be activated by a single detector sensing an issue. An option if wiring is an issue they make a wireless that will interconnect to the other wired devices wirelessly via a wifi signal. One of the wired units would need to be changed to become a master that creates the wifi signal for the companion wireless detectors.

Hi Fred; Yes I agree with you 100%. However, the fire inspector claims your solution is not acceptable. That it MUST be hardwired since there are hardwired detectors presently there. I am looking for any code reference that would support his requirement.

 

[gadfly56]

Was the second floor bedroom an addition, or conversion of another space? In NJ, if it doesn't have a closet, it isn't a bedroom, even if there are beds in it. However, I recall some verbiage regarding "sleeping areas" which might cover that gap.

In any event, if the second floor bedroom is a later add, a stand-alone combo detector would be fine. Make the inspector find the rule if he's going to be that way.

 

[SceneryDriver]

Remove the AC powered detectors, and install (3) wirelessly connected battery-operated detectors. Dumb solution, but easy enough.


SceneryDriver

 

[Electromatic]

Section 314 of the IRC (International Residential Code) addresses smoke alarms. There are requirements for interconnection and for hard-wiring, but there are also exceptions that allow for battery devices and non-physical interconnection. I cannot speak to NJ requirements specifically.

 

[FionaZuppa]

In US, from what I see, most AHJ's combine IRC R314 and R315 with NFPA 72, along with any AHJ amendments.

The IRC appears to allow a mix of wired and non-wired alarms for non-new homes (dated).

There are many types of detectors and ways to install them, not fully clear to me which ones can be mingled.
Hardwire w/ hard interconnect, can be installed w/ or w/o interconnect
Hardwire w/o interconnect
Batt w/ wireless interconnect
Batt w/o interconnect

Having mixed units is an issue for interconnect.

 

[jjhoward]

There are wireless units intended to "extend" the hard wired interconnected alarms to wireless. The problem in NJ (from my perspective) is that there is also the NJ rehab code AND the IRC and the NFPA. I think I will contact the NJ state provided "code assistance" folks to possibly get a code reference regarding what is required to pass the fire inspection.
Thank you.

 

[goldstar]

Smoke alarm requirements are largely dependent on when the house was built. This is a re-print of a NJ CCC article summer of 2019. I've added page 3 to the article. Hope this helps.

 

[goldstar]

In NJ, if it doesn't have a closet, it isn't a bedroom, even if there are beds in it. However, I recall some verbiage regarding "sleeping areas" which might cover that gap.

I used to believe that was accurate. Most of this thinking is driven by realtors. Attached are some opinions. I recall running into this in my town and the BI told me that if it was a certain size (I think it was 14' x 14') it would be considered a bedroom irrespective of whether it had a bedroom or not. Don't quote me on that.

 

[jjhoward]

Smoke alarm requirements are largely dependent on when the house was built. This is a re-print of a NJ CCC article summer of 2019. I've added page 3 to the article. Hope this helps.

Thank you sir, very helpful!

 

[Fred B]

I believe the reasoning for inclusion of a interconnected smoke and CO detection within a bedroom not just outside of bedroom in common hallway is the ability to waken a child, the tonal output of a smoke while very aggravating to an adult has been noted to not disturbed and waken the child particularly when muffled through a closed door.

Kids can sleep through smoke alarms, experts say

In a fire, you rely on smoke detectors to wake your whole family up. But will they? We conducted an eye-opening test.It's hard to imagine anyone sleeping through the loud, high-pitched wail of a smoke alarm. But every parent knows: Kids can sleep through anything. So are those loud beeps enough...

www.today.com

I believe that inclusion of an upgrade that incorporates some form of alarm within the sleeping area as well as in the hall can be warranted, but also believe interconnect via a wireless option should be allowed. But if during a renovation you simply neglected to add a wire it does not constitute an allowance to just use a wireless device (not as reliable, many reasons for failure to communicate). Not any different than using an inwall splice device that is allowed for adding on but not as a substitute for properly planning wiring.

 

[jjhoward]

Good points, I didn't know there was an in-wall splice device that is allowed?? I've seen many in-wall & in-ceiling splices definitely NOT allowed.

 

[Fred B]

Good points, I didn't know there was an in-wall splice device that is allowed?? I've seen many in-wall & in-ceiling splices definitely NOT allowed.

Tyco NM splice kit that meets NEC 334.40(B) and is listed for use in such applications.

https://www.grainger.com/product/TE-CONNECTIVITY-300-V-Nonmetallic-Splice-Tap-6HKE9?opr=PDPRRDSP&analytics=dsrrItems_6HKE8

 

[gadfly56]

I believe the reasoning for inclusion of a interconnected smoke and CO detection within a bedroom not just outside of bedroom in common hallway is the ability to waken a child, the tonal output of a smoke while very aggravating to an adult has been noted to not disturbed and waken the child particularly when muffled through a closed door.

Kids can sleep through smoke alarms, experts say

In a fire, you rely on smoke detectors to wake your whole family up. But will they? We conducted an eye-opening test.It's hard to imagine anyone sleeping through the loud, high-pitched wail of a smoke alarm. But every parent knows: Kids can sleep through anything. So are those loud beeps enough...

www.today.com

I believe that inclusion of an upgrade that incorporates some form of alarm within the sleeping area as well as in the hall can be warranted, but also believe interconnect via a wireless option should be allowed. But if during a renovation you simply neglected to add a wire it does not constitute an allowance to just use a wireless device (not as reliable, many reasons for failure to communicate). Not any different than using an inwall splice device that is allowed for adding on but not as a substitute for properly planning wiring.

One of the wired devices can be replaced with a wireless compatible unit and that will trigger the new wireless unit. You can get wireless combo smoke/CO units that has a prerecorded voice that says "Fire!, Fire" or "Carbon Monoxide". I have these units in my house.

Battery Operated Wireless Interconnect Combination CO & Smoke Alarm KN-COSM-B-RF | Kidde

KN-COSM-BA Combination Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Alarm provides two important safety devices in a single unit. This alarm includes a voice warning system.

www.kidde.com

 

[jjhoward]

Tyco NM splice kit that meets NEC 334.40(B) and is listed for use in such applications.

https://www.grainger.com/product/TE-CONNECTIVITY-300-V-Nonmetallic-Splice-Tap-6HKE9?opr=PDPRRDSP&analytics=dsrrItems_6HKE8

I've seen those things used extensively in modular homes.

 

[jjhoward]

One of the wired devices can be replaced with a wireless compatible unit and that will trigger the new wireless unit. You can get wireless combo smoke/CO units that has a prerecorded voice that says "Fire!, Fire" or "Carbon Monoxide". I have these units in my house.

Battery Operated Wireless Interconnect Combination CO & Smoke Alarm KN-COSM-B-RF | Kidde

KN-COSM-BA Combination Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Alarm provides two important safety devices in a single unit. This alarm includes a voice warning system.

www.kidde.com

Yup, I like this things...I need to convince our fire inspector that they are code complaint for this house!! He claims since there are wired AC powered detectors present in the house (built in the 40s) than ALL additional detectors MUST also be wired. I have asked him a number of times for a code reference, but got nothing so far......

 

[Fred B]

Yup, I like this things...I need to convince our fire inspector that they are code complaint for this house!! He claims since there are wired AC powered detectors present in the house (built in the 40s) than ALL additional detectors MUST also be wired. I have asked him a number of times for a code reference, but got nothing so far......

Only times I've had AHJ insist on such is when a renovation that opened ceiling or new wiring that is being done in ceiling space so access is being already made. Otherwise allowed wireless.

 

[Fred B]

I've seen those things used extensively in modular homes.

I believe that is where they got their start. They are now using boxless receptacle and switches in manufactured homes. Found one of those in a double wide the HO wanted to change the fan switch to put a speed controller switch and there was no box present, insufficient wire in wall to pull out and put on s standard box. Didn't know about the NM splice at that time.