Effective May 29, 2007, the building department began enforcing the 2003 edition of the International Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings as the city’s building code for new and existing dwellings. These smoke alarm requirements do not apply to dwelling units within multi-story apartment or condominium buildings.

Section R313.1.1 of this building code requires a homeowner to upgrade their existing home’s smoke alarm system whenever interior alterations or additions requiring a building permit occur. Exterior improvements (decks, swimming pools, hot tubs, utility sheds, retaining walls, emergency generators, etc.) that require the issuance of a building permit are exempt from the requirements of this section.

This means that as a result of the issuance of a building permit for interior alterations (kitchen or bathroom remodel, basement finish, removal or addition of interior walls, new fireplace, etc.) or room additions, the homeowner is required to evaluate their existing smoke alarm system and bring it into compliance with today’s building code.

Today’s building code requires that smoke alarms be installed in the following locations:

1. In each sleeping room.
2. Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
3. On each additional story of the dwelling, including basements, but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics.

The building code requires these smoke alarms to be interconnected so that the actuation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in your home. The smoke alarms need to be hard wired into your home’s electrical system and to each have a battery. Wireless Smoke Alarms are not permitted.

An exception to these requirements is that smoke alarms in existing areas are not required to be interconnected and hard wired where the alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of an 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.

While reviewing plans for your building permit, the Building Division will need to know the locations and power source(s) of your existing smoke alarms. Prior to issuing your building permit, the Building Division will need to know what upgrades to your existing smoke alarm system will be made in conjunction with your remodeling work. The exception will not apply if there is an attic, crawl space or unfinished basement available that would permit the wiring to be run on that side of the existing finish materials. If said spaces are not available, battery operated smoke alarms may be used to provide the protection at locations 1, 2 and 3 noted above.

Please note that homes built in the city after November of 1986 should already have a hard wired and interconnected smoke alarm system. Additional smoke alarms (with a battery back-up feature) may need to be included in the scope of your remodeling project.
Homes built in the city after June of 1995 should already have smoke alarm systems that meet today’s building code.

Homes built in the city prior to November of 1986 will be the most affected by this building code requirement. Making home improvements is a worthwhile investment and upgrading your home’s vital smoke detection and notification system while doing these home improvements makes this investment even more worthwhile.  

If you have any questions regarding these requirements, please contact Steve Unser, Chief Building Official, at 872-2513 or  .

R313.1.1 Alterations, repairs and additions. When interior 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 provided with smoke alarms located as required for new dwellings. The smoke alarms shall be interconnected and hard wired.

R313.2 Power Source. The required smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring, 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.
Please note: If the smoke detectors installed are not provided with a test button, the general contractor or his representative shall be on site at the time of the final inspection to test the smoke detectors with “canned smoke” or other method approved by the manufacturer. Wireless Smoke Alarms are not permitted.