batt smoke detectors

[*Guest]

installing smoke detectors(battery style), curious basement area finished. Dropped ceiling ETC, wondering if detector should be above dropped ceiling in joist pocket area's?

[*Ron]

I am not familiar with the CABO codes, but the National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72) does not require detectors above a suspended ceiling in a household application. Rules are different in commercial.
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Ron

[*Wgoodrich]

Both CABO and the IRC are worded requiring the same thing. A 120 volt powered smoke detector in each bedroom and in each vicinity of the bedroom areas outside the bedroom and one on each floor. The smoke detector must be with battery back up and with an interconnect wire that will sound off all smoke detectors if one smoke detector sounds off. Basements that are unfinished is required a minimum of one 120 volt battery back up interconnected smoke detector. If this basement is a finished living area then it must meet normal rules as stated at the beginning of this reply.

Crawl spaces or uninhabitable attic areas are exempt from smoke detector requirements in those uninhabitible areas.

Ron pretty well finds the same in NFPA 72 as is found in the CABO and the IRC yet the NFPA 72 is more detailed in installation instructions. Each rule pretty well agrees with each other but the detail in NFPA is more detailed than the CABO and the IRC residential building Codes. The Uniform building codes get much more detailed and stringent concerning commerial open to the public type buildings though.

By the way existing is not exempt concerning the above rules. If you remodel and you have to buy a permit then you have to update the entire existing home with one exception. If there is no way to get to an existing smoke detector whether battery or 120 volt or with battery back up and if you can not get to that existing smoke detector without removing the finished wall surface then you are exempted only on that certain smoke detector from being required to update to current smoke detector rules. Existing otherwise if extensive enough to require a permit must be updated to current standards regardless of any existing thoughts.

Hope this helps

Wg

[*wannabee]

WG? In reading this post,want to clarify that cost would be of no concern to myself, if it will save a life. Are we saying that if a bedroom were to be added to an existing home, that the smoke detector circuit(for new bedroom) must now be extended thru entire home to any existing detectors be it 120v or Batt or are we saying they must be installed new thru out? Noticed exception where no wall damage required. Are we saying that if no smoke detectors were in that home(IF) then the existing areas of home are exempt from this ruling? In other words if your able to get to an existing smoke detector by means of fishing thru an attic to get to that existing ceiling mounted detector or fish a wall in some manner without disturbing walls surface, then those dectectors must be added to that newly installed S/Detector circuit. Would also assume then that any addition no matter what it is would be required to have a smoke detector added, since it is a level of that structure. Sorry for length, but always seems to be those Catch 22s, safety naturally first concern here, but just want to be sure of my interpretation of ruling. Thanks Much

[*Wgoodrich]

The following is a copied section of the 2000 IRC that is the rule that pertains to what you seek.

R317.1.1 Alterations, repairs and additions. When interior alterations, repairs or additions requiring a permit occur, or when one or more sleeping rooms are added or created in existing dwellings, the individual dwelling unit shall be provided with smoke alarms located as required for new dwellings; the smoke alarms shall be interconnected and hard wired. Exceptions: 1. Smoke alarms in existing areas shall not be required to be interconnected and hard wired where the alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space, or basement available which could provide access for hard wiring and interconnection without the removal of interior finishes. 2. Repairs to the exterior surfaces of dwellings are exempt from the requirements of this section.


Hope this helps

Wg