Smoke Detectors Vs Smoke Alarms

[Al Pike]

Is there a requirement for installing smoke detectors over smoke alarms in a residential setting? I engaged an inspection company on this and they allowed the Alarm system to remain as the primary System without installing 110v detectors. In the next IRC code cycle I seem to remember this being changed to where the primary system had to be a 110v system.
We were given the ok recently to install only a Alarm type system and I believe its the wrong decision. I find people tend to remove only the troubled detector as apposed to powering down the entire alarm system when they become and issue.This doesnt make it any better but at least there is some detection available. Tough call that could go both ways but I'm looking for some enlightenment on the issue.

 

[infinity]

The problem with smoke detectors as part of a monitored alarm system is that someone could stop paying the bill and the system could be disabled leaving no protection at all.

 

[jumper]

Smoke alarms are covered in R314 of the 2012 IRC.

You can view it here free.

http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2012/icod_irc_2012_3_sec014.htm?bu2=undefined

 

[kwired]

I don't know what codes are regarding smoke/fire alarms, but isn't a unit that provides detection only part of an alarm system? What good is it if it only detects - it somehow needs to indicate something was detected and that is done by other components of the alarm system.

I don't know what is normal in this area - is it common practice for them to install the system and if you don't pay the fees they totally disable the system? I would think the local system will still have detectors and indicating devices and is customer owned - but any monthly service fees would be for remote monitoring services - and maybe maintenance contracts. If you don't pay the bill you still have a local alarm system just nobody in a remote location is going to be alerted if there is an alarm.

We just don't see alarm systems of this type in dwellings around here, but they are in commercial buildings and what I have described is what I usually see. The alarm system is owned by building owner - any monthly service fees are for remote monitoring and not to have the unit in place.