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.

• HOUSES BUILT BEFORE JUNE 4, 1976

• HOUSES BUILT FROM JUNE 4, 1976 THROUGH 1991

• HOUSES CONSTRUCTED AFTER 1991

• Heat Detectors

• Combination Fire & Burglar Systems

• Combination & Mixed Systems

• Defective Smoke Detectors

FOR 1, 2, and 3 FAMILY DWELLINGS

• HOUSES BUILT BEFORE JUNE 4, 1976

REQUIRED LOCATIONS FOR SMOKE ALARMS

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.

• HOUSES BUILT FROM JUNE 4, 1976 THROUGH 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.