Smoke detectors

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jahilliard

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Where in the NEC are the requirements for smoke detectors...or is that in NFPA 72? If in 72 can someone give me the requirements...particularly in multi-family with sprinklers! Thanks!
 
Does anyone have the details from the correct NFPA book? I don't have the info available right now and need it asap!
 
Ok here's the deal...I'm on my phone trying to get the necessary info to make the necessary corrections for an AM inspection...I'm thinking sprinklers eliminate the smokes requirement but I'm not sure...lil help would be cool! Viewing 72 on my phone would be tedious at best! I really appreciate the info!! Thank you
 
Smoke detector requirements are in the Building code where I'm at. Not in the NEC. I don't have a copy of the Building code we go by.
 
Ok...for the sake of doing so I true to pull up the books, phone won't work with realread applet...surely...someone could help put with a few minutes of research and share the info...I can't tell you how grateful I'd be...
 
Thread: Frequently Asked 2005 NEC Questions
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Old 01-28-2007, 11:41 AM
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Default Smoke Detectors

* Where are smoke detectors required to be installed, and where do I find this information?

NFPA 72 and various building codes have different specific requirements.

Here is a rough summary of what Chapter 11 of NFPA 72 (specifically 11.5.1) requires:

* One in each bedroom (to wake people up).
* One on each level, including basement.
* A smoke in a basement shall be on the ceiling, near the entry to the stairs.
* One outside each sleeping area, within 21 feet of the door to any sleeping area. If the hallway is closed off from the sleeping and living areas by doors, then smokes are required on both the living and hallway sides of the door.
* When a door is installed in a stairway, smoke rising up the stairwell cannot be obstructed from a detector by the door.
* One in the living area of a guest suite.
* When a given level of a living area is 1000 sq.ft. or greater, one is required for every 500sq.ft. of floor area for that space, no greater than 30 ft apart.
* If a ceiling on any level has an elevation change of 24", each elevation needs one. Example: Vaulted living room on same floor as 8' ceiling for back hall, den, laundry.
* No closer than 3' to any cold air return or supply, or ceiling fan. Nuisance alarms due to dust attraction are common when this is done, and the sensitivity can diminish.
* No closer than 4" and no farther than 3' to peak of vaulted ceiling. Smoke rolls in corners, bypassing detector.
* No farther than 3' from peak of vaulted ceiling.
* No closer than 4" from wall on a flat ceiling.
* No closer than 4" from ceiling and no farther than 12", when wall mounted.
* Ambient temperature cannot exceed 100 F, or below 40 F, as in attics and garages.
* Interconnection of detectors is required.
* Per NEC 210.12, AFCI protection required. Per NFPA 72 11.6.3(7), if the smoke is supplied by an AFCI, then battery backup is required. By 11.6.4(1), the smoke must audibly report a low battery condition.
* The instruction booklet supplied with the smoke detector is required to be provided to the occupant. (72 11.8.4(1).)
* Smokes should be replaced every ten years. (72 11.8.5(b).)

Many smoke detectors come with instructions that mirror NFPA 72's requirements, so they could also be considered a 110.3(B) listing issue, if NFPA 72 has not been adopted in your area.

Here are some related threads, or you can search for the term "smoke detector" and find many results.

A free online viewable copy of NFPA 72, is available by clicking on this link (Click "I agree" to see the read-only document).

Thanks to Mark Henderson for the link and correction on the list above. :cool:

http://www.mikeholt.com/code_forum/s...ad.php?t=81410
http://www.mikeholt.com/code_forum/s...ad.php?t=78988
http://www.mikeholt.com/cgi-bin/code...755;p=1#000005
Smoke detector placement in dwellings - started 05/07. Includes quotes from the IRC and other building codes.
Last edited by George Stolz; 09-02-2007 at 12:41 PM.
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Not to split hairs here but we should differentiate between smoke detectors and smoke alarms. Smoke detectors are part of a low voltage alarm system that can either sound locally or report to a central monitoring office. On the other hand, 120 volt interconnected smoke alarms are individual units that sound in each location and activate other self-contained smoke alarms to sound in their respective locations. These are usually local alarm devices and do not report to a central monitoring station. I believe the OP is inquiring about smoke alarms here.

Anyway, this bulletin is from New Jersey but may be helpful :

http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/codes/publications/pdf_bulletins/b_08-1.pdf

I don't have a copy of 2006 NFPA-72 so I'm going from memory but in the case of multi-family dwellings, smoke alarms inside the respective dwelling places should be interconnected within but smoke alarms in common areas (i.e. hallways adjoining individual apartments and basements) should be interconnected to all common areas and on the landlord's meter.

Hope this helps.
 
jahilliard said:
I'm in Florida...NFPA 101 may be the correct reference???
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No. Smoke Alarm requirments for 1&2 Family Dwellings can be found in R313 of the Florida Building Code - Residential.

Fire Alarm and Detection Systems for other than 1&2 Family Dwellings can be found in Section 907 of the Florida Building Code.

Keep in mind that ALL buildings other than 1&2 Family Dwellings must also comply with the Florida Fire Prevention Code.

Section 13.7 of the FFPC 1 covers requirements for smoke detection along with section 9.6 of the FFPC 101.

The first two references are typcially enforced by the local building department. The second two are typically enforced by the Fire Marshal / Inspectors.

ALL 4 sections reference the NFPA 72 for specific compliance.
 
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