We receive many questions regarding smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector placement for 1 and 2 family home resales. To alleviate some confusion, the following information should be used to guide homeowners through the process.
This information is provided as part of the RI Fire Code Board of Appeal, the RI State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Smithfield Fire Department Fire Prevention Division.
January 17, 2013
RE: 2013 Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Inspections in 1 and 2 family homes, inclusive of the January 16, 2013 Variance issued by the Fire Code Board of Appeal and Review
As of January 1, 2013 a new fire code is law in Rhode Island. That code is referenced as the Rhode Island Fire Safety Code. It comprises of NFPA 1, the Fire Code, NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code, and NFPA 720, Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment, 2012 editions, and NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 2010 edition, all as amended by the R.I. Rules and Regulations. It was further defined by a Blanket Variance 13-001 issued by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review.
GENERAL NOTES:
a). Combination smoke and CO alarms are permitted.
b). Household fire alarm systems (including wireless devices) are permitted in accordance with NFPA 72, 2010 edition (Fire signals MUST take precedence over all others).
c). Plug in Carbon Monoxide alarms are still prohibited in the state of Rhode Island.
d). CO alarms must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions (most say alarm is only listed for 5 years and must be replaced).
1). Houses built in and prior to 1976, may have battery operated smoke and CO alarms, no interconnection required. Locations:
a). Smoke alarm(s) outside sleeping areas
b). Smoke alarm on each level, including basements
c). CO alarm(s) outside sleeping area(s)
2). Houses built on and after 1/1/77 through 12/31/2001, must be interconnected, hardwired smoke detectors with battery backups, and battery or hardwired CO alarms. Locations:
a). Smoke alarm(s) outside sleeping areas
b). Smoke alarm on each level, including basements
c). CO alarm(s) outside sleeping area(s) (no requirement for interconnection)
3). Houses built on and after 1/1/2002 through 2/19/2004, must have interconnected, hardwired smoke alarms with battery backups and interconnected carbon monoxide alarms. Locations:
a). Smoke alarm(s) outside sleeping areas
b). Smoke alarm on each level, including basements
c). CO alarm(s) outside sleeping areas
4). Houses built on and after 2/20/2004 through 12/31/2012, must have interconnected hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Smoke& CO alarms must have battery backup. Locations:
a). Smoke alarm INSIDE and outside sleeping areas (NFPA 72, 2002 ed.)
b). Smoke alarm on each level, including basements (NFPA 72, 2002 ed.)
c). CO alarm(s) outside sleeping areas
d). CO alarm on each level including basement
5). Houses built on and after January 1, 2013, must have interconnected hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Smoke& CO alarms must have battery backup. Locations:
a). Smoke alarms in accordance with NFPA 72 (2010 ed.)
b). Carbon monoxide alarms in accordance with NFPA 720 (2012 ed.)
General locations:
a). Smoke alarm INSIDE and outside sleeping areas (NFPA 72, 2010 ed.)
b). Smoke alarm on each level, including basements (NFPA 72, 2010 ed.)
c). CO alarm outside sleeping area (NFPA 720, 2012 ed.)
d). CO alarm on each level including basement
The code for the placement of detectors in 1 or 2 family homes for real estate sales is: (Code reference numbers relate to Chapter 24 in both the R.I. Rules and Regulations and NFPA 101, Chapter 29 in NFPA 72, and Chapter 9 in NFPA 720):
Specifically, detector locations are: (NFPA 24.3.4.1.1) (29.5.1.1)
a). at the bottom of the basement stairs (29.8.3.4(10)) if joisted, on bottom of joist
(29.8.3.4(12)) (24.3.4.1.1(3))
b). on each level and close to bottom of staircase, or as close as possible in cases
of two-story foyers (29.8.3.4(9)) (24.3.4.1.1(3))
c). outside each sleeping area (24.3.4.1.1(2))
d). additional smoke alarms if more than 21 feet to last bedroom door (29.5.1.1)
e). inside bedrooms (NEW 2013) (24.3.4.1.1(1))
- in large homes with more than 1,000 sq. ft. per floor, excluding garages,
there shall be additional detectors so that there is one detector within 30 feet
travel distance (29.5.1.3.1)
g). CO detection shall be outside of sleeping areas (9.4.1.1)
h). CO detection shall be required on every level except attics and crawl spaces (24.3.4.2.2)
i). Mounting can be on wall or ceiling. (9.4.1.2)
j). CO alarms shall be interconnected except in existing construction. (9.6.4)
Other requirements of NFPA 72 and 720:
i). Smoke alarms can be on ceiling or wall (within 1 ft. of ceiling) (2013 NEW) (29.8.3.3)
ii). In hardwired systems all detectors shall sound together (29.5.2.1.1)
iii). Combination Fire/Burglar systems are allowed if fire takes precedence & it has a distinctive sound. (29.7.7)
iv). Operational power source can be battery, hardwired or wireless. (24.6.3.1.2 plus above items 1 -3)
v). Smoke alarms installed in one- and two-family dwellings shall not remain in service longer than 10 years from the date of manufacture. (29.8.1)
vi). Smoke alarms shall not be installed within 10 feet of a cooking appliance, 3 feet of a bathroom, heating register or paddle fan unless they are use a photoelectric power source, then they can be 6 feet from any of these devices (29.8.3.4)
