Are Smoke Detectors Required In Attics

10 year sealed battery alarms are required in existing single double and multi family dwellings that were constructed prior to the state s adoption of the uniform construction code act of 1975.

Are smoke detectors required in attics. In single family or multifamily homes smoke alarms shall be placed inside each sleeping area outside each sleeping area and on each level of the dwelling. The us fire administration fema recommends that you have a heat detector rather than a smoke alarm in your garage. Smoke alarms are not designed for garages and attics and are much more likely to fail than a heat detector. Smoke alarms are not required in unfinished attics unfinished basements or kitchens.

For example section 13 7 2 13 1 of the code requires smoke alarms or a smoke detection system in new and existing one and two family dwellings. In 2003 a smoke alarm was required in the vicinity outside of every bedroom. Smoke alarms are generally required in residential settings. Typically smoke alarms are required where we expect to find occupants sleeping.

Smoke detectors are not designed to function in the humidity found in attics. Smoke detectors are not designed to function in the low temperatures found in attics. If you are purchasing or selling a home they are now required to have smoke alarms in each sleeping room and on each level in the common. False alarms will provoke the disconnection of the detector then it is useless.

All of these environmental issues will lead to erratic operation and cause false alarms or non alarms. In 1991 one smoke alarm was required in every sleeping room. Install the first attic smoke detector on the wall near the stairs anywhere between the 4 inch and 12 inch marks. 5 measure and mark a distance of 4 inches on the ceiling from each wall.

Interconnected smoke alarms increase safety. In a consumer product safety commission cpsc survey of households with any fires including fires in which the fire department was not called interconnected smoke alarms were more likely to operate and alert occupants to a fire. The nec takes its guidelines for smoke detectors from the national fire protection association nfpa. 1 people may know about a fire without hearing a smoke alarm.

In 1988 one smoke alarm was required on every floor of the home. Wherever more than one smoke alarm is required in new construction the california building code requires that all smoke alarms shall be interconnected. Another location in a home where you should have a heat detector rather than a smoke alarm is the attic. Section 13 7 2 of the code addresses the occupancy specific requirements for fire alarm and smoke alarms.