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#154303 02/05/05 04:37 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 494
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Hi,
Is there a law or requirement to tie all smoke detectors together now?

Regards

Greg

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#154304 02/05/05 05:31 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,716
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Member
Greg, there is,

NFPA 72

11.5.1.2 Notification


(A) Fire-warning equipment for dwelling units shall provide a sound that is audible in all occupiable dwelling areas.

(B) Where more than one smoke or heat alarm is installed for new construction, they shall be arranged so that the operation of any smoke or heat alarm causes the alarm in all smoke and heat alarms within the dwelling unit to sound.

However, note that it doesn't specificaly say wired together, could be the use of a relay(s) and multiple circuits.

Roger

#154305 02/05/05 05:58 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 162
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My local building code requires multi station smokes 120V with 9V battery backup and installed at each living level and in each bedroom. These detectors are further required to be interconnected as Roger mentioned from NFPA 72. We adopted this current Code in 97 (I think)and the NFPA 72 requirement for interconnected Detectors was applicable for new construction for a considerable time before that


Charlie

#154306 02/05/05 07:09 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 494
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Member
Hi,
What does that cover? State wide, city, town or ANYWHERE?

this job had no permit or inspection.

how would relays or multiple circuits work? If they were not tied together during construction then what?

regards

Greg

[This message has been edited by mustangelectric (edited 02-05-2005).]

#154307 02/05/05 08:14 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 209
H
Member
Greg,

Here in VA there is a statewide code that all levels have a smoke detector and that there be a smoke detector in every sleeping room and one outside the sleeping rooms and that they all be powered from the house power and all have battery backup and they all be inter-connected. Except, the state code also says we don't have to interconnect them on remodeling projects where the drywall is not removed and there is no path to inter-connect them. In that case, we are supposed to install them, but not interconnect the ones that can't be wired.

#154308 02/05/05 08:46 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 494
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Member
Hi,

I am guessing that NFPA 72 is only applicable where it has been adopted?

I am looking at one that was recently built where they are not interconnected.

How could this be corrected after sheetrock?

I guess a person could go back and install a whole new system but it would be awful ugly being all surface mounted.

Maybe they sell a wireless setup?

I did not do this work and do not know who did.


Regards

Greg

[This message has been edited by mustangelectric (edited 02-05-2005).]

#154309 02/05/05 08:50 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,716
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Member
Greg, the relays and multiple circuits would be installed during the construction.

The point I was making is that the detectors can be served from more than one breaker as far as the wording is concerned.

Many think that since a bedroom must be served from an AFCI, the mandatory detectors in a home must be supplied from this AFCI breaker if they are tied together.

This is not the case.

Roger

[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 02-05-2005).]

#154310 02/05/05 08:55 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 494
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Member
Hi,
Thanks for the replies. This particular location is out in the stix where there is no zoning or anything..this may be why it was not done.

Thanks for the comments on the breakers this is good information!

Regards

Greg

#154311 02/06/05 10:32 AM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,457
E
Member
To add to cpals statement, in MA "All power for AC powered smoke detectors shall be taken from a single branch circuit which also provides other electrical service to habitable occupiable spaces." The smoke detector installation requirements apply to new construction, substantial renovations, or if you add a bedroom.
Greg you should do some reasearch as to what is required in your area.

#154312 02/06/05 10:49 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 494
M
Member
Hi,
Electricaman-Good morning.

In my area it varies depending on where you are doing the work. This particular location is in the boonies. No zoning, no permits no nothing..

Now if I am in the city or other place that is within a jurisdiction of some kind then yeah it is a good idea to brush up on the regs.

Even if I know the answer to a question I will sometimes run it through ecn to get some feedback. That helps because I do not know everything!

Why would the feeder fpr the smokes have to slave from a single branch circuit that is feeding other stuff? If that circuit trips and no one knows it then what?

Battery backup?

I always put mine on a lighting circuit and feed it from a ARC Fault. This covers the bedrooms.

Thanks for the replies.

Greg

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