Smoke alarms using 14-2 with white conductor for interconnect and bare wire for neutral

[perchance]

Replacing smoke alarms in an small rural vacation home built in 1988. The old units are hardwired Fyrnetics Lifesaver 1255. The builder used a dedicated circuit with 14-2 Romex. Each unit has a black wire connected to black, a red wire connected to white, and (sigh) a white wire connected to bare. So unless there is some kind of exception, it seems I'm looking at a non-compliant 120V installation with a bare neutral.

Rewiring the building is not going to happen, so it seems that hardwired new smoke alarms will have to be wireless interconnect units.

Comments and clarifications appreciated.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

No exception.... The electrician probably screwed up so they made it work... I see this all the time with big companies who wont supervise their employees. I saw where the electrician connected the orange signal wire to the equipment grounding conductor.

 

[James L]

Hardwired power with wireless interconnect is the only way now