Current through Vol. 24-16, September 15, 2024
Rule 546.
Sections R314.2.2, R314.3, R314.3.2, and R314.3.3,
R314.4, are amended to the code to read as follows: R314.2.2. Alterations,
repairs, and additions. When alterations, repairs, or additions requiring a
permit occur, or when 1 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.
Exceptions:
1.
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.
2. Installations,
alteration, or repairs of electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems are
exempt from the requirements of this section.
R314.3. Location. Smoke alarms shall be
installed in the following locations:
1. In
each sleeping room or in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping room.
2. On each additional story of the dwelling,
including basements and habitable attics and not including crawl spaces and
uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and
without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm
installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level
provided that the lower level is less than 1 full story below the upper level.
R314.3.2. Smoke alarms in existing buildings constructed before November 6,
1974, not undergoing an alteration, addition, or change in occupancy requiring
a building permit, shall be installed in the following locations in each
dwelling unit or sleeping unit:
(1) In each
sleeping room or immediate vicinity of the sleeping room.
(2) On each floor level including the
basement level.
For sleeping units with split levels and without an
intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the
upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower
level is less than 1 full story below the upper level.
R314.3.3. Equipment requirements.
The required equipment for smoke alarms required by R314.3.2 shall consist of
the following:
(1) Installation. Smoke alarm
devices shall be listed and installed in accordance with the manufacturers
installation requirements, the provisions of the code and the provisions of
NFPA 72 as listed in chapter 44.
(2) Power Source. The equipment shall be
operable by power from 1 of the following primary sources:
(a) The building wiring provided that such
wiring is served from a commercial source and the smoke alarm is equipped with
a battery backup. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch
other than as required for overcurrent protection.
(b) A battery operated smoke alarm.
(c) A rechargeable battery operated smoke
alarm shall be automatically recharged by an AC circuit of the commercial light
and power source.
(d) A household
use alarm system with battery backup listed and approved in accordance with the
household fire warning equipment provisions of NFPA 72, as referenced in
Section R314.1 of the code.
(3) Audible alarm notification. The
activation of the alarm signal shall produce a sound that is audible in all
occupiable dwelling areas.
(4)
Testing and maintenance. The owner of a dwelling unit, in which required or
optional fire detection or fire protection systems equipment is installed,
shall be responsible for the proper operation, testing, and maintenance of the
equipment in accordance with the manufacturers instructions included with the
equipment. The occupant of rental dwelling units shall be responsible for the
periodic operational testing and periodic cleaning of the installed equipment
within the rental unit in accordance with the testing instructions provided in
the manufacturers instructions for the equipment. If the system fails, breaks,
or is out of service, it shall be repaired and functional within 30 days.
Exception: Smoke alarms and devices installed in
buildings constructed before November 6, 1974, where an installation was
approved by the appropriate enforcing agency under regulations in effect at the
time of the installation shall be considered to comply with the provisions of
the code.
R314.4. Interconnection. Where more than 1
smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit in
accordance with Section R314.3, the alarm devices shall be interconnected in
such a manner that the actuation of 1 alarm will activate all of the alarms in
the individual unit. Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be
required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all alarms sound upon
activation of 1 alarm.
Exception: Interconnection of smoke alarms in existing
areas shall not be required.
