Are Smoke Detectors Required In Attics

One smoke detector must be present on every floor of the house including basements and attics.

Are smoke detectors required in attics.

On each additional story of the dwelling including basements and habitable attics but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. Where multiple smoke alarms are required the units must be wired together so all of the alarms go. Place a mark every 25 feet from the initial installation location for additional smoke detectors if the attic is one large open space. Smoke alarms are not designed for garages and attics and are much more likely to fail than a heat detector.

In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an. Smoke alarms are not designed to work in extreme heat or cold or in areas where smoke and dust are common because they could damage the sensors of the alarm. Smoke alarms are not required in unfinished attics unfinished basements or kitchens. In single family or multifamily homes smoke alarms shall be placed inside each sleeping area outside each sleeping area and on each level of the dwelling.

Yes there are special smoke detectors that will survive and function in the attic environment but you better open up your wallet very wide not just for the detector but for the related hardware required that goes with it. I was told of an inspector that said a wireless smoke alarm should be put inside an attic to just lay it down presumably near the hatch. Quoting the agencies no smoke alarm should be put into an unfinished attic dust temperature etc. The nec takes its guidelines for smoke detectors from the national fire protection association nfpa.

If the space is broken into individual bedrooms place a. A properly rated heat detector is the correct fire detector to use in attics. One of the frequent items i get calls about from lenders real estate agents appraisers. Also was not mentioned was whether it was an unfinished attic or finished attic.

The us fire administration fema recommends that you have a heat detector rather than a smoke alarm in your garage. Smoke detector requirements all homes are required to have smoke alarms. Heat detectors should be used in attics.