Section 408.30546. Smoke alarm locations for existing buildings.

Sections R314.2.2, R314.3, R314.3.2, and R314.3.3, R314.4, are amended to the code to read as follows: R314.2.2. Alterations, repairs, and additions. When alterations, repairs, or additions requiring a permit occur, or when 1 or more sleeping rooms are added or created in existing dwellings, the individual dwelling unit shall be equipped with smoke alarms located as required for new dwellings.

Exceptions:

1.       Work involving the exterior surfaces of dwellings, such as the replacement of roofing or siding, or the addition or replacement of windows or doors, or the addition of a porch or deck, are exempt from the requirements of this section.

2.      Installations, alteration, or repairs of electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems are exempt from the requirements of this section.

R314.3. Location. Smoke alarms shall be installed in the following locations:

1.    In each sleeping room or in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping room.

2.     On each additional story of the dwelling, including basements and habitable attics and not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than 1 full story below the upper level. R314.3.2. Smoke alarms in existing buildings constructed before November 6, 1974, not undergoing an alteration, addition, or change in occupancy requiring a building permit, shall be installed in the following locations in each dwelling unit or sleeping unit:

(1)     In each sleeping room.

(2)     On each floor level including the basement level.

For sleeping units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than 1 full story below the upper level.

R314.3.3. Equipment requirements. The required equipment for smoke  alarms required by R314.3.2 shall consist of the following:

(1)     Installation. Smoke alarm devices shall be listed and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation requirements, the provisions of the code and the provisions of NFPA 72 as listed in chapter 44.

(2)     Power Source. The equipment shall be operable by power from 1 of the following primary sources:

(a)      The building wiring provided that such wiring is served from a commercial source and the smoke alarm is equipped with a battery backup. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as required for overcurrent protection.

(b)      A battery operated smoke alarm.

(c)       A rechargeable battery operated smoke alarm shall be automatically recharged by an AC circuit of the commercial light and power source.

(d)          A household use alarm system with battery backup listed and approved in accordance with the household fire warning equipment provisions of NFPA 72, as referenced in Section R314.1 of the code.

(3)       Audible alarm notification. The activation of the alarm signal shall produce a sound that is audible in all occupiable dwelling areas.

(4)       Testing and maintenance. The owner of a dwelling unit, in which required or optional fire detection or fire protection systems equipment is installed, shall be responsible for the proper operation, testing, and maintenance of the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions included with the equipment. The occupant of rental dwelling units shall be responsible for the periodic operational testing and periodic cleaning of the installed equipment within the rental unit in accordance with the testing instructions provided in the manufacturer’s instructions for the equipment. If the system fails, breaks, or is out of service, it shall be repaired and functional within 30 days.

Exception: Smoke alarms and devices installed in buildings constructed before November 6, 1974, where an installation was approved by the appropriate enforcing agency under regulations in effect at the time of the installation shall be considered to comply with the provisions of the code.

R314.4. Interconnection. Where more than 1 smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit in accordance with Section R314.3, the alarm devices shall be interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of 1 alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all alarms sound upon activation of 1 alarm.

Exception: Interconnection of smoke alarms in existing areas shall not be required.

History: 2005 AACS; 2008 AACS; 2010 AACS; 2015 AACS.