Smoke detectors in an existing dwelling and "inlaw

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JJWalecka

JJWalecka

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New England
I have a question regarding an existing dwellings where an attached addition, 1800 square feet, is added. Would the existing dwelling's smoke detectors need to be hard wired to the new dwelling? The owner is renting it to Kin but with the hope of one day renting it out to someone else. It would make sense to me because the dwelling is attached to have the smoke detectors hardwired together. I do not currently NFPA 72. Is this the Text that would explain in detail my question? Even so, could someone please answer my question? Thank's for the help.

Justin W.
 
Re: Smoke detectors in an existing dwelling and "inlaw

My opinion is if it is attached it is part of main dwelling so needs connected in the loop.I would run it thru the local fire department
 
Re: Smoke detectors in an existing dwelling and "inlaw

Justin, I had this exact same question when I wired a garage that was converted into a small "In-law" apt. The inspector told me it was not necessary to inter-connect the "new" smokes to the "existing" smokes in the old part of the house since it was an existing situation.

Dave
 
Re: Smoke detectors in an existing dwelling and "inlaw

If there is a fire wall between the areas I would guess no interconnect is required.
If there is not, then I would leave it up to the local AHJ.
 
Re: Smoke detectors in an existing dwelling and "inlaw

In my neck of the woods, this would be decided by the AHJ in whatever town or city I was working in. Some townships are much stricter and have definitive rules regarding when smokes are interconnected.
 
Re: Smoke detectors in an existing dwelling and "inlaw

I think we're all on the same page--if the fire starts in one section of the house, it's in everyone's best interest to wake up the neighbors, in this case. IMHO. ;)
 
Re: Smoke detectors in an existing dwelling and "inlaw

However, if they are interconnected, they must run off of a 3rd meter that is for common area lighting, fire alarms, and so forth. Therefore, you could end up with a 3 gang meter socket or equivalent that has 200 amps to 260 amps going into the top.

You are also allowed to have three 1 gang sockets with the service conductors attached to each other at the weatherheads or in a wireway.

How many meters you can have can also be a zoning issue. If you have Though Police types on the zoning board you could be in for a rough ride.
 
Re: Smoke detectors in an existing dwelling and "inlaw

mc5w is right about how to install the circuit IF you were to interconnect 2 (or more) seperate residences withing the same building (duplex or townhouse). That would be considered a public circuit, just like lighting common areas and/or single garages.

If this example of the mother in law suite is just a suite off of the existing house, using the existing electrical service (not a seperate residence), then you should interconnect with the existing house. If there is a fire on one side, the other side should be notified when there is no fire barrier/wall between them.
 
Re: Smoke detectors in an existing dwelling and "inlaw

***I definitely forgot a VERY important detail***

The existing house I was at Didn't Have smoke alarms!!! :)

Dave
 
Re: Smoke detectors in an existing dwelling and "inlaw

In my State, the requirements for smoke detectors are primarily a Fire Marshall thing plus a fair dose of Local Ordinance with an umbrella of State Building Code.

Read: I can go next door :roll: , and it's different.
 
Re: Smoke detectors in an existing dwelling and "inlaw

BruceH, Georgestolz, Mc5w, Milwaukeesteve, Davedootcom, Al Hildenbrand Thank you for your input. I called the Electrical inspector and mention that the dwelling would have to be listed as a multi-family dwelling, with a "house" meter for all common areas. I talked to homeowner and mentioned the zoning issue. They decided to have a single meter. I am interconnecting all smoke detectors in existing and addition. They will be feed from an arc fault breaker. For the life of me, I can't think of the name, but the type of smokes that I will install through the whole dwelling has the green Inspector sticker on it. It's been a long day. As far as I know they are to be installed near the stove's. They cost more but I sleep better at night.

Justin W.
 
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