smoke detectors

O

olly

Senior Member
Location
Berthoud, Colorado
Occupation
Master Electrician
I am fixing a home inspection punch list... If a home that is 50-60 years + has a smoke detector that only has power / not a 3 wire. Is it legit to just install batterie powered detectors in the bedrooms that don't have a detector? Seems pretty lame, but i am trying to save them money. Is there anything in the rule book that prohibits this?
 
This is a building code issue, not the NEC. Check with th building department for the jurisdiction you're working in.
That said, it's possible they will allow battery only smoke alarms. There are wireless smoke alarms available as well.
Good luck.

Ron
 
Our State is under the State Fire Marshall's office for smoke detectors. They allow battery operated ones in existing houses for things like panel changes, service upgrades, repairs, etc. We have to have one in each bedroom, one in a common area to bedrooms, and one on each level of a home. It's kind of funny when an inspector comes to check electrical work and the first question they ask is "Do you have smokes installed, and how many?"
 
Little Bill said:
Our State is under the State Fire Marshall's office for smoke detectors. They allow battery operated ones in existing houses for things like panel changes, service upgrades, repairs, etc. We have to have one in each bedroom, one in a common area to bedrooms, and one on each level of a home. It's kind of funny when an inspector comes to check electrical work and the first question they ask is "Do you have smokes installed, and how many?"
Click to expand...
In multiple instances like this I’ve used the battery powered units that use a RF signal to communicate with all the others. One unit will make all the other battery powered units activate the alarm. Never had an inspector say no to this type of install. These are just cases where at either a home sale or other reason for home inspection that smokes were required or requested to be installed. Any type of home remodeling and you must do the full rewire of all units.
 
Getting a CCO in NJ requires that smoke alarms (which is what you're really talk about) be installed in the usual locations. If the residence was constructed before smoke/CO alarms were required, and thus hard wired, single station alarms are allowed. They don't even have to be wirelessly connected, but that feature is cheap enough I wouldn't skip it.
 
I always call AHJ

Currently I'm rewiring a bad lighting circuit and gutted bathroom, and the municipality I'm in requires only battery power, and no required interconnect because it's remodel.

All typical locations and smoke/CO required

I had a hard time believing that, and asked if he could repeat the whole thing
 
We are allowed to use the wireless communication models under any circumstances. We have been using the Kidde P4010 series but holy +]%$ have we had a lot of nuisance issues with Kidde in recent years!! (Not just the P4010)

Rob G - Seattle
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top