Smoke Alarm
Post date: Jul 25, 2016 8:41:53 PM
California Law, SB 745 has changed some rules regarding smoke alarms, and requirements for landlords.
Starting July 1, 2014, any smoke alarm installed that is solely battery powered MUST contain a non-removable battery that is rated to last 10 years.
Existing installed operable/in working condition smoke alarms are NOT required to be replaced.
SB 745 requires that for all dwelling units intended for human occupancy, for which a building permit is issued on or after January 1, 2014, for alterations, repairs, or additions exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), the permit issuer shall not sign off on the completion of work until the permittee demonstrates that all smoke alarms required for the dwelling unit are devices approved and listed by the Office of the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 13114.
Here is a link for more information on the law from the State Fire Marshall.
An exemption exists for battery powered smoke alarm installed prior to July 1, 2014, but that expires on July 15, 2014.
On July 1, 2015 ALL old smoke detectors that are solely powered by batteries must be replaced with those that contain a sealed battery that is rated to last 10 years.
Effective July 1, 2015, all smoke alarms powered by 120 VAC (hardwired) or battery must comply with the provisions of having a label showing date of installation & manufacture.
Device Requirements
Must display date manufactured.
Must have a place to display date installed.
Built in hush feature.
Effective July 1, 2015, all smoke alarms powered by 120 VAC (hardwired) or battery must comply with the provisions of having a label showing date of installation & manufacture.
Existing installed operable/in working condition smoke alarms are NOT required to be replaced.
Device Power
Can be “hardwired” with “battery back up.”
Can be battery only, but must be non-removable/non-replaceable 10 year battery.
Starting July 1, 2014, any smoke alarm installed that is solely battery powered MUST contain a non-removable battery that is rated to last 10 years.
An exemption exists for battery powered smoke alarm installed prior to July 1, 2014, but that expires on July 15, 2014.
On July 1, 2015 ALL old smoke detectors that are solely powered by batteries must be replaced with those that contain a sealed battery that is rated to last 10 years.
Effective July 1, 2015, all smoke alarms powered by 120 VAC (hardwired) or battery must comply with the provisions of having a label showing date of installation & manufacture.
Existing installed operable/in working condition smoke alarms are NOT required to be replaced.
Device Placement
Must be installed in every bedroom.
Must be installed in hallways leading to bedrooms, centrally located outside sleeping areas.
Must be installed on every level/floor, including basements.
If mounted on the ceiling, should be 4 inches from the wall.
If mounted on the wall, should be 4-12 inches from the ceiling.
Do NOT install near draft areas, such as windows and vents.
Call local Fire Department if you are unsure about placement.
Testing and Maintenance
As of January 1, 2014, landlords cannot make the tenant responsible for testing or maintaining the smoke alarms. It is the landlords responsibility.
Testing and maintenance by owner is required in both multi-family rental units and single family rental units during course of tenancy - annually or semi-annually is a good course of practice.
Testing and maintenance is defined under “National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code 72” (NFPA 72). In order to be in compliance, owners or their agents must ensure that:
there have been no changes which would affect the device’s performance (e.g., building modifications, occupancy changes, changes in environmental conditions, physical obstructions, device orientation, physical damage and/or the degree of cleanliness of the device)
the devices are installed in the correct positions to meet local codes (room location and position on the ceiling/wall)
the devices have not passed their “replace-by date”
the devices are functioning and have a tightly connected battery that is charged and free from corrosion and/or leakage
the power supply to hard-wired (electric) alarms is connected to the alarms
the devices emit a siren at a decibel level that meets UL standards
the devices are adequately secured to the ceiling or wall; and, the test button is functioning properly (causes the device to emit a siren)
Facts and History About Smoke Detectors
One of the responsibilities of an inspector is to check the presence and functionality of smoke alarms in a home. Smoke alarms were required first in 1973. The codes pertaining to smoke alarms have expanded since then.
In 1973, one smoke alarm was required for the whole home. Smoke Detector Placement
In 1979, code changed to include a required retroactive smoke alarm inspection and hardwired and interconnected alarms when work of more than $1,000 was done on the home.
In 1988, one smoke alarm was required on every floor of the home.
In 1991, one smoke alarm was required in every sleeping room.
In 2003, a smoke alarm was required in the vicinity outside of every bedroom.
Smoke detectors were first available for the home in the early 1960’s. Like all new technologies these units were very expensive. They were only purchased by commercial properly owners and movie theaters. The first truly affordable, battery operated detectors were available in 1965. In 1980 Emerson Electronics purchased the rights to the smoke detectors from Statitrol, and Sears bought the exclusive distribution rights.
Today smoke detectors are installed in about 93% of all U.S. Homes. However it is estimated that at any give time as many as 30% of the smoke detectors are not functional as users remove the batteries when they die and forgot to replace them. As home inspectors we often find smoke detectors that don’t work, or are missing all together.
There are basically two kinds of detectors available for residential installation. Optical smoke detectors operate by detecting the smoke particles in the air. Ionization smoke detectors operate by using radioactive isotopes to ionize the air. Smoke changes the ionization, which is detected by these detectors.
It has been conclusively demonstrated that Optical smoke detectors are better at detecting smoke in the early stages of a fire allowing the occupants more time to escape. Ionization type detectors are cheaper to manufacture, but are more prone to false alarms. Due to the radiation, these detectors have been banned in some European countries.
Optical smoke detectors are recommended as they provide better detection of fires in the early stages, leaving occupants more time to escape. Ionization detectors are better at detecting fires that are in the flaming stage, but that might not allow enough time to escape. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has determined that all smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years.
Smoke Alarms belong in each bedroom and in the hall outside the bedroom, where they can hang out with the CO alarm.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms should be installed outside each sleeping areas of the home, on every level, including the basement. The manufacturer’s installation instruction should also be followed.
Combo Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Alarms may be installed in the hallway outside the bedroom(s), since that’s where they are supposed to be anyway.
310.9 Smoke Detectors and Sprinkler Systems.
310.9.1 Smoke detectors.
310.9.1.1 General. Dwelling units, congregate residences and hotel or lodging house guest rooms that are used for sleeping purposes shall be provided with smoke detectors. Detectors shall be installed in accordance with the approved manufacturer's instructions.
310.9.1.2 Additions, alterations or repairs to Group R Occupancies. When the valuation of an addition, alteration or repair to a Group R Occupancy exceeds $1,000 and a permit is required, or when one or more sleeping rooms are added or created in existing Group R Occupancies, smoke detectors shall be installed in accordance with Sections 310.9.1.3, 310.9.1.4 and 310.9.1.5 of this section.
EXCEPTION: Repairs to the exterior surfaces of a Group R Occupancy are exempt from the requirements of this section.
310.9.1.3 Power source. In new construction, required smoke detectors shall receive their primary power from the building wiring when such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery backup. The detector shall emit a signal when the batteries are low. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than those required for overcurrent protection. Smoke detectors may be solely battery operated when installed in existing buildings; or in buildings without commercial power; or in buildings which undergo alterations, repairs or additions regulated by Section 310.9.1.2.
310.9.1.4 Location within dwelling units. In dwelling units, a detector shall be installed in each sleeping room and at a point centrally located in the corridor or area giving access to each separate sleeping area. When the dwelling unit has more than one story and in dwellings with basements, a detector shall be installed on each story and in the basement. In dwelling units where a story or basement is split into two or more levels, the smoke detector shall be installed on the upper level, except that when the lower level contains a sleeping area, a detector shall be installed on each level. When sleeping rooms are on an upper level, the detector shall be placed at the ceiling of the upper level in close proximity to the stairway. In dwelling units where the ceiling height of a room open to the hallway serving the bedrooms exceeds that of the hallway by 24 inches (610 mm) or more, smoke detectors shall be installed in the hallway and in the adjacent room. Detectors shall sound an alarm audible in all sleeping areas of the dwelling unit in which they are located.
310.9.1.5 Location in efficiency dwelling units, congregate residences and hotels. In efficiency dwelling units, hotel suites and in hotel and congregate residence sleeping rooms, detectors shall be located on the ceiling or wall of the main room or each sleeping room. When sleeping rooms within an efficiency dwelling unit or hotel suite are on an upper level, the detector shall be placed at the ceiling of the upper level in close proximity to the stairway. When actuated, the detector shall sound an alarm audible within the sleeping area of the dwelling unit or congregate residence, hotelsuite, or sleeping room in which it is located.
310.9.2 Sprinkler and standpipe systems. When required by Section 904.2.1 or other provisions of this code, automatic sprinkler systems and standpipes shall be designed and installed as specified in Chapter 9.
310.10 Fire Alarm Systems. Group R, Division 1 Occupancies shall be provided with an approved manual and automatic fire alarm system in apartment houses three or more stories in height or containing 16 or more dwelling units, in hotels three or more stories in height or containing 20 or more guest rooms and in congregate residences three or more stories in height or having an occupant load of 20 or more. A fire alarm and communication system shall be provided in Group R, Division 1 Occupancies located in a high-rise building.
EXCEPTIONS:
1. A manual fire alarm system need not be provided in buildings not over two stories in height when all individual dwelling units and contiguous attic and crawl spaces are separated from each other and public or common areas by at least one-hour fire-resistive occupancy separations and each individual dwelling unit or guest room has an exit directly to a public way, exit court or yard.
2. A separate fire alarm system need not be provided in buildings which are protected throughout by an approved supervised fire sprinkler system having a local alarm to notify all occupants.
The local alarm shall provide an alarm signal with a sound pressure level of 15 dBA above the average ambient sound level in every occupied space within the building. The minimum sound pressure level shall be 70 dBA. The maximum sound pressure level for audible alarm-indicating appliances shall not exceed 110 dBA at the minimum hearing distance from the audible appliance.
The alarm signal shall be a distinctive sound which is not used for any other purpose other than the fire alarm. Alarm-signaling devices shall produce a sound that exceeds the prevailing equivalent sound level in the room or space by 15 decibels minimum, or exceeds any maximum sound level with a duration of 30 seconds minimum by 5 decibels minimum, whichever is louder. Sound levels for alarm signals shall be 120 decibels maximum.
For the purposes of this section, area separation walls shall not define separate buildings.