I looked at a 1.5 year old house yesterday in which the service panel was labeled as having the smoke detectors wired to an AFCI breaker for a 2nd floor bedroom (no double tapping at breaker, just labeled as being controlled by an AFCI protected bedroom circuit).

Is this configuration allowable or improper?

The folks at NEC have decided that smoke detectors installed in a bedroom (all bedrooms) should be on an arc-fault protected cicuit.

Having said that, not all code jurisdictions currently see fit to enforce the presence of arc fault protection on hardwired smoke detector circuits (which are required in all bedrooms by NFPA 72).

To find out what is and what is not "acceptable" in your area, you need to find out what the position of the local code authority is on the subject. If the dwelling in question is outside of a specific code authority, then find out what the position of the code authority is in the county/parish seat.

ALL bedroom receptacle outlets SHOULD BE on arc-fault protected circuits, and this includes smoke detectors.

With modern battery backup smoke detectors, it is best to protect the circuit least it *causes* the fire it then tries to warn the occupants about.

That said, as Phillip said, some AHJ have opted out, just like they initially opted out of requiring GFCI protection back 35 years ago. Some people are just resistant to change, even when for the better.

We see that every day when we are told 'I've been doing it this way for 30 years ... ', how often do you hear that from plumbers, roofers, electricians, etc.? All the time, right?

Remember my post on another thread about (bold and underlining are mine) "R104.1 General. The building official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of this code." Then it goes on saying they cannot make interpretations which go against the code, etc.

As much as they say 'what I say goes' is only true to the extent that other let them get away with not enforcing the code - the code itself does not give them ultimate authority to do as they please.

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Jerry Peck, Construction / Litigation Consultant
Construction Litigation Consultants, LLC ( www.ConstructionLitigationConsultants.com )

Thanks guys.

The "code", any code, is only as good as the local AHJ. Around here, code enforcement ranges from nil to adaptation of the latest. I've simplified things by merely reporting what is "best practice" or "most modern standards", and refer the client to the local codies to answer their questions....unless I know for sure exactly what is on the books locally. But always recommend that upgrading.