Smoke Detectors

Smoke Detector Requirements for the State of Rhode Island These are the actual inspection guidelines used by our inspectors while examining your smoke detector system.

1. Houses Built Before June 4, 1976
2. Houses Built from June 4, 1976 Through 1991
3. Houses Constructed After 1991
4. Inspection Procedures and Guidelines
5. Heat Detectors
6. Combination Fire and Burglar Systems
7. Combination and Mixed Systems
8. Defective Smoke Detectors

1. House Built Before June 4, 1976
   Required Locations for Smoke Alarms
   Sleeping areas, hallways and access spaces immediately adjacent to bedrooms. Sleeping area is defined as one or more bedrooms in a group not separated by rooms of any other use, except a bathroom. Bedrooms separated by a living room, kitchen, foyer, etc. are considered separate sleeping areas and require separate alarms. This also applies to second floor bedrooms where the hallway is an open balcony overlooking living space or foyer below. If sleeping areas are accessible from more than one direction, each direction of access must be protected by an alarm. For bedrooms which open directly into the kitchen, the alarm should be placed inside the bedroom door. Any room which contains a built-in clothes closet (i.e. den, study, play room, bonus room, etc.) is considered a sleeping area. Cellars & Basements. Smoke alarms are required at the top of open stairways leading to a basement. Smoke alarms are required within (24) inches of the bottom of enclosed stairways. Enclosed stairways have solid treads and risers, and have side enclosures which extend to the cellar floor on both sides. A stairway which has any openings in the stair enclosure which would allow smoke to bypass the alarm before entering the vertical opening is considered an open stairway. Installation Requirements Location Alarms are most effective when mounted on the ceiling. Alarms may be wall-mounted provided they are mounted between (6) and (12) inches from the ceiling. Alarms must be far enough away from comers to avoid being located in a dead air space, which will delay its operation in the event of a fire. Power Supply Alarms may be single station-battery operated. Alarms may be single station 110 volt A/C operated. Alarms shall be wired to a branch circuit serving a habitable area (i.e. not a garage, unfinished basement, or attic). Not more than (2) alarms on any one circuit. Alarms shall be wired ahead of any switches. Alarms shall not be wired to any GFI (ground fault interrupt) circuit. A/C alarms shall have a power supply indicator lamp. A/C alarms installed prior to June 4, 1976 are not required to be inter-connected. Alarms may be wired per the 1976 or 1992 Fire Code.
2. Houses Built from June 4, 1976 Throught 1991
   Required Locations for Smoke Alarms There shall be at least one smoke alarm per floor. There shall be an additional alarm for any level which exceeds 1200 square feet. Alarms are required in all sleeping areas, hallways and access spaces immediately adjacent to bedrooms. Sleeping area is defined as one or more bedrooms in a group not separated by rooms of any other use, except a bathroom. Bedrooms, separated by a living room, kitchen, foyer, etc., are considered separate sleeping areas and require separate alarms. This also applies to second floor bedrooms if the hallway is an open balcony overlooking living space or a foyer below. If sleeping areas are accessible from more than one direction, each direction of access must be protected by an alarm. Alarms shall NOT be placed inside bedrooms unless the area outside the bedroom is also protected. Any room which contains a built-in clothes closet (i.e. den, study, play room, bonus room, etc.) is considered a sleeping area. Cellars & Basements Smoke alarms are required at the to of open stairways leading to a basement. Smoke alarms are required within (24) inches of the bottom of enclosed stairways. Enclosed stairways have solid treads and risers, have side enclosures which extend to the cellar floor on both sides. A stairway which has any openings in the stair enclosure which would allow smoke to bypass the alarm before entering the vertical opening is considered an open stairway. Basements over 1200 square feet require additional alarms. Installation Requirements Location. Alarms shall be mounted on the ceiling. Alarms must be far enough away from corners to avoid being located in a dead air space, which will delay operation in the event of a fire. Power Supply Alarms shall be 110 volt A/C operated. Alarms shall be interconnected and shall sound together. Alarms shall be wired to a branch circuit serving a habitable area (i.e. not a garage, unfinished basement, or attic). Alarms shall NOT be on a dedicated circuit. Not more than (2) alarms on any one circuit. Alarms shall be wired ahead of any switches. Alarms shall not be wired to any GFI (ground fault interrupt) circuit. All alarms shall have a power supply indicator lamp. Alarms may be upgraded to battery back-up, and be wired per the 1992 State Fire Code.
3. Houses Constructed After 1991
   Required Locations for Smoke Alarms There shall be at least one smoke alarm per floor. There shall be an additional alarm for any level which exceeds 1200 square feet. Alarms are required in all sleeping areas, hallways, and access spaces immediately adjacent to bedrooms. Sleeping area is defined as one or more bedrooms in a group not separated by rooms of any other use, except a bathroom. Bedrooms separated by a living room, kitchen, foyer, etc., are considered separate sleeping areas and require separate alarms. This also applies to second floor bedrooms if the hallway is an open balcony overlooking a living space or foyer below. If sleeping areas are accessible from more than one direction, each direction of access must be protected by an alarm. Alarms shall NOT be placed inside bedrooms unless the area outside the bedroom is also protected. Any room which contains a built-in clothes closet (i.e. den, study, play room, bonus room, etc.) is considered a sleeping area. Cellars & Basements Smoke alarms are required at the top of open stairways leading to basement. Smoke alarms are required within (24) inches of the bottom of enclosed stairways. Enclosed stairways have solid treads and risers, have enclosures which extend to the basement floor on both sides. A stairway which has any openings in the stair enclosure which would allow smoke to bypass the alarm before entering a vertical opening is considered an open stairway. Basements over 1200 square feet require additional alarms. Installation Requirements Location Alarms shall be mounted on the ceiling. Alarms must be far enough away from corners to avoid being located in a dead air space, which will delay operation in the event of a fire. Power Supply Alarms shall be 110 volt A/C operated with battery back-up Alarms shall be interconnected and shall sound together. Alarms shall be wired to a branch lighting circuit serving a habitable area (i.e. not a garage, unfinished basement, or attic). Alarms shall NOT be on a dedicated circuit. All alarms may be on a single circuit. Alarms shall be wired ahead of any switches. Alarms shall not be wired to any GFI (ground fault interrupt) circuit. All alarms shall have a power supply indicator lamp.
4. Inspection Procedures and Guidelines
   ALL DEVICES are checked for proper number, location, power supply, and function. A properly functioning alarm will be unmistakably loud (15 dB above ambient). Alarms which emit no sound, or are weak or intermittent shall be failed. Some have a brief time delay; wait a few seconds. For battery-operated units, if a problem persists with a fresh battery, the alarm shall be replaced. All alarms shall be solidly mounted. For A/C powered systems, the circuit breaker panel shall be inspected. The circuit(s) supplying the alarms shall be marked. Shut down each alarm circuit and determine the number of devices on each. For A/C systems without battery no circuit may serve more than two devices. If No single circuit breaker can be found which shuts down any of the alarms, the circuits have most likely been looped by the installing electrician. This is indicated where two or more breakers will need to be shut down to kill the alarms. This is acceptable provided there are not more than two devices per circuit. Check each device with approved testing materials provided. Alarms which are required to be inter-connected shall all sound together. Alarms shall reset automatically when smoke chamber has cleared. A/C powered alarms which only reset when the breaker is tripped and reset shall be failed. This is typically caused by one or more incompatible or defective devices on the circuit.
5. Heat Detectors
   Heat detectors are a highly recommended addition to battery back-up systems. Heat detectors are NOT a substitute for smoke alarms. These devices are usually located in attached garages. These devices may be interconnected to the system. Test these devices according to manufacturers guidelines using the materials provided.
6. Combination Burglar/Fire Systems
   These systems are not tested by Fire Department personnel. These systems are checked to determine appropriate number and location of all required smoke alarms. Heat detectors are NOT a substitute for smoke alarms. A Certificate of Compliance may be issued provided: The alarm company provides written certification of system testing dated within the past (60) days. An authorized technician from the alarm company tests the system to your satisfaction in your presence. Notify fire alarm before the test in case there is an automatic dialer or central alarm monitoring service. Abandoned systems Non-operational A/C powered systems which have been replaced by acceptable fire/burglar systems shall be removed. If the required system is operational, test that system and issue the certificate if it passes. It will not be necessary to obtain alarm system certification if the required system passes. If the required system can be repaired to pass, it will not be necessary to obtain alarm system certification. Any fire protection devices which are not operational shall either be made operational or shall be removed.
7. Combined Mixed Systems
   Dwellings which have had additions or alterations totaling less than 50% of the assessed value of the building over one year may have mixed systems. If the new addition has added sleeping areas, only the new addition is required to meet the newer code provisions. Dwellings which have had additions or alterations totaling MORE than 50% of the assessed value of the building over one year shall have upgraded systems. Issuance of Certificate of Compliance For those systems which are in compliance, a Certificate of Compliance is issued by the inspecting official. For systems with deficiencies, a violation notice is issued to the owner or agent. Document all deficiencies noted. Advise owner or agent to schedule a re-inspection when all deficiencies have been corrected. Disputes or questions regarding systems and applicable codes should be referred to the Fire Prevention Office.
8. Defective Smoke Alarms
   The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recall of six brands of battery-powered residential smoke alarms. The devices, all of which were sold after July 10, 1992, may not sound in the event of a fire. The CPSC and Seatt Corporation, the manufacturer of the devices, have urged consumers who purchased their products after that date to check their units immediately. According to the Seatt Corporation, the following brands and models are involved: Black & Decker, Slim Line brand, models SMK100, SMK200, SMK300, date code 9228 to 9246. Jameson Horne Products, Code 1 2000 brand, models A, C, and D, date code 92192 to 92231. Walter Kidde Portable Equipment, Kidde Smoke and Fire Alarm brand, model KSA700, date code 92192 to 92231. Safety First, Baby's Room Smoke and Fire Alarm brand, model 244, date code 92192 to 92231. Funtech, Safety's Sake brand, model A, date code 92192 to 92231. Maple Chase, Firex brand, models A and B, date code 92192 to 92231. Some 120,000 affected smoke alarms are believed to be in use by consumers. Only the listed models having the listed date codes are involved. Other date codes of these models are not involved. Consumers with involved units should call the following recall hot lines immediately: (800) 95 2-1331 for Black & Decker units only . (or return units to a Black & Decker service center). (800) 492-4949 for all other brands.