Smoke detectors

[Bill Anglin]

I inspected a home that was originally built with an unfinished basement. The buyers finished the basement to include 2 additional bedrooms and another bath but evidence suggests that it was not done professionally and probably not permitted. Smoke detectors installed in the two sleeping rooms are not hardwired to sound with the others in the house. They are battery powered only. Is it required that these added detectors be hardwired with the others?

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[Rick Cantrell]

Yes
From 2006 IRC

R313.2.1 Alterations, repairs and additions.

When 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
equipped with smoke alarms located as required for new
dwellings; the smoke alarms shall be interconnected and
hard wired.

Exceptions:

1. Interconnection and hard-wiring of smoke alarms
in existing areas shall not be required 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. 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.

R313.3 Power source.

In new construction, the required
smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building
wiring when such wiring is served from a commercial
source, and when primary power is interrupted, shall receive
power from a battery.Wiring shall be permanent and without a
disconnecting switch other than those required for overcurrent
protection. Smoke alarms shall be permitted to be battery operated
when installed in buildings without commercial power or
in buildings that undergo alterations, repairs or additions regulated

by Section R313.2.1.

[Bill Anglin]

Thanks Rick

[Robert Mattison]

I would like to hear from the rest of you, were do you think, the best place, to located a smoke detector in a house basement.

The house will have just one set stairs leading from the main floor to basement, say a ranch style home. With no attach garage.
The basement is unfinish. With no washer or dryer in this location.
Just a L.P. boiler for hot water baseboard heat and hot water.

Just the one smoke inside the house basement, style: pour concrete
foundation.

Just looking for you your thoughts and opinions.

[Richard Pultar]

ask the town .

[Jim Port]

Suggested smoke alarm locations are included in the installation instructions.

Requirements for the smokes alarms are a building code issue. Only the wiring methods are covered by the electrical code.