Smoke Alarms in Florida

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czars

Czars
Location
West Melbourne, FL
Occupation
Florida Certified Electrical Contractor
Does anyone know what the power requirements are for residential smoke alarms in Florida. Must they be powered by a 120 v circuit? Must they have a battery backup?
 
Florida follows the 2006 IRC + amendments. Florida's residential code refers you to NFPA 72.
NFPA 72
NFPA 72 Section 11.6.3 AC Primary Power Source, states:
The ac power source shall comply with the following conditions:
(1) A visible ?power on? indicator shall be provided.
(2) All electrical systems designed to be installed by other than a qualified electrician
shall be powered from a source not in excess of 30 volts that meets the requirements
for power-limited fire alarm circuits as defined in NFPA 70, National Electrical
Code, Article 760.
(3) A restraining means shall be used at the plug-in of any cord-connected installation.
(4) AC primary (main) power shall be supplied either from a dedicated branch circuit or
the unswitched portion of a branch circuit also used for power and lighting.
(5) Operation of a switch (other than a circuit breaker) or a ground-fault circuitinterrupter
shall not cause loss of primary (main) power.
Exception: Where a ground-fault circuit-interrupter serves all electrical circuits
within the dwelling unit.
 
The IRC also says this
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.
 
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