Smoke Detector Location

[Rick 0920]

I am aware that smoke detectors in dwellings are required on every level of home and in bedrooms and outside bedrooms. But I just heard of a 2 story home that had a smoke detector at the top of the stairs but was failed on a final because there was not one at the bottom of the stairs. Does anyone know of such requirement? Would this be found in the IBC?

 

[nizak]

May be a municipality requirement or just a building official not knowing or mis interpreting the code.

 

[Rock86]

Confirm with your IBC edition, but the NYS Building code states
"907.2.10
3. In each story within the sleeping unit, including
basements. For sleeping units with split levels
and without an intervening door between the
adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the
upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower
level provided that the lower level is less than one
full story below the upper level."

 

[Rock86]

Incase anyone debates the "sleeping unit"

907.2.10.2
"
3. In each story within a dwelling unit, including
basements but not including crawl spaces and
uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling
units with split levels and without an intervening
door between the adjacent levels, a smoke
alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice
for the adjacent lower level provided that the
lower level is less than one full story below the
upper level."

 

[Rick 0920]

Incase anyone debates the "sleeping unit"

907.2.10.2
"
3. In each story within a dwelling unit, including
basements but not including crawl spaces and
uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling
units with split levels and without an intervening
door between the adjacent levels, a smoke
alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice
for the adjacent lower level provided that the
lower level is less than one full story below the
upper level."

Just to clarify, there is a smoke detector on the lower level. It's just not at the bottom of the stairs. There is a smoke detector at the top of the stairs, which complies with the paperwork included with all smoke detectors.

 

[Rock86]

Just to clarify, there is a smoke detector on the lower level. It's just not at the bottom of the stairs. There is a smoke detector at the top of the stairs, which complies with the paperwork included with all smoke detectors.

Could you show to the inspector that the smoke detection range extends to within the portion where the inspector is requiring one on the lower level?

 

[Rick 0920]

I just got word that the inspector relented when shown the paperwork that only one was recommended at the top of the stairs. Thanks for all the input.