So, NEC requires Smoke Alarms to be on AFCI, but grandfathers in existing gang-wired smoke alarms. If new smoke alarms are wired into the existing chain, does that breaker have to be upgraded, or is the entire installation grandfathered in?
Steve- this has been debated back and forth on this forum and the code could use some clarification everyone does agree on that. As an inspector in Michigan I have gone with the understanding that 210.12 is a branch circuit requirement which means if you are installing a branch circuit in the bedroom(s), the rule applies. It is not outlet requirement and there are no words that say if you are installing an outlet in the bedroom(s) it must be AFCI protected so IMHO, if you are adding a smoke alarm to an existing non- AFCI protected circuit I'm giving you a green sticker.
[This message has been edited by George Little (edited 03-20-2005).]
