Smoke Detectors for multi-family dwelling

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Big D 40

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I have a job coming up to completely rewire a 14 unit apartment complex. Each apartment will have its own panel and meter. My question comes with smoke detectors. Do all of the detectors have to be interconnected or will each apartment have their own interconnected detectors seperate from the common areas such as halls, laundry room and basement areas? This is a 3 story building.
Thanks for the input;)
 
I am not so much worried about the location as I am if they ALL have to be interconnected together. This will be quite a feat if they do considering 14 apartments on 3 floors
 
In my area what you describe would likely get a fire alarm system with system smokes in the public halls, system heats just inside each units doors and system pull stations at each exit door.

Horn strobes in each public space and maybe mini horns in the units.

In each unit would be 120 volt smokes that would only sound in the unit they are installed in.

But that does not answer your question as each area has it's own way of handling fire alarms.
 
I know our state goes by NFPA 101 life safety code in determining what types of occupancies need a fire alarm system and what types, which then is installed to NFPA 72, it spells out new or pre existing structures, there's allot of variables also that need to be determined in an existing such as if it has a sprinkler system, means of egress, seperation, fire rating and others. But also the state makes amendments to 101 so like everyone else has said it's best to check with the local building inspector.;)
 
The job we are doing right now (90+ condo units) is similar to iwire's description.
Here is how we are doing it:
- All smokes within a unit interconnected w/battery back-up
- Each units smokes are connected to a central station for monitoring.
- Each unit has a horn/strobe connected to the common/public area system.
- Pull stations, smokes and horn/strobes in all common areas.

- There is also a sprinkler system throughout all units and common areas.

Watch for any requirement changes in ADA units.
 
here's an update guys. The owner wants only a/c wired smokes in the common areas. He will be using battery powered in the apartments. Since this is a rewire and an existing building I guess that is okay...Works for me...alot less wiring and head ache:confused:
 
Big D 40 said:
The owner wants only a/c wired smokes in the common areas. He will be using battery powered in the apartments. Since this is a rewire and an existing building I guess that is okay...
Click to expand...

I am going to try one more time.

Talk To the Authority Having Jurisdiction!

The fire Chief, the building department someone has jurisdiction over this.

The owner of a 14 unit apartment building does not get to 'decide' if they want to provide fire protection.

I think you said this building is getting a total rewire, that takes any grandfathering out of the picture.

I strongly suggest you get this worked out before contracts are signed.
 
iwire might be on to something.

if it's not a total gut and ahj wants them inter-connected, look into the kidde wireless interconnects.
 
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