We have a townhouse remodel; the walls and ceiling finishes are staying in place. Currently the units have one hard-wired smoke detector in the hallway. The plan is to add smoke detectors in the sleeping rooms and downstairs living area. The contractor is proposing wireless smoke detectors in the sleeping rooms which will transmit a signal to all others when activated. He says that the literature states that the smokies meet UL 217 and NFPA 72. Do radio signals count as "interconnected" (IFC 907.2.11.3)?
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Wireless Smoke Detectors IFC 907.2.11.3
- Thread starter benny
- Start date
do they meet ::::: because of the remodel is not that extensive????
4603.7.2 Interconnection. Where more than one smoke
alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling
or sleeping unit, the smoke alarms shall be interconnected
in such a manner that the activation of one alarm will
activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. The alarm
shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background
noise levels with all intervening doors closed.
Exceptions:
1. Interconnection is not required in buildings that
are not undergoing alterations, repairs or construction
of any kind.
2. Smoke alarms in existing areas are not required to
be interconnected where alterations or repairs do
not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling
finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an
attic, crawl space or basement available which
could provide access for interconnection without
the removal of interior finishes.
4603.7.3 Power source. Single-station smoke alarms shall
receive their primary power from the building wiring provided
that such wiring is served from a commercial source
and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms
with integral strobes that are not equipped with battery
backup shall be connected to an emergency electrical system.
Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are
low.Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting
switch other than as required for overcurrent protection.
Exceptions:
1. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery
operated in existing buildings where no construction
is taking place.
2. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery
operated in buildings that are not served from a
commercial power source.
3. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery
operated in existing areas of buildings undergoing
alterations or repairs that do not result in the removal
of interior walls or ceiling finishes exposing the
structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement
availablewhich could provide access for building
wiring without the removal of interior finishes.
4603.7.2 Interconnection. Where more than one smoke
alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling
or sleeping unit, the smoke alarms shall be interconnected
in such a manner that the activation of one alarm will
activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. The alarm
shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background
noise levels with all intervening doors closed.
Exceptions:
1. Interconnection is not required in buildings that
are not undergoing alterations, repairs or construction
of any kind.
2. Smoke alarms in existing areas are not required to
be interconnected where alterations or repairs do
not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling
finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an
attic, crawl space or basement available which
could provide access for interconnection without
the removal of interior finishes.
4603.7.3 Power source. Single-station smoke alarms shall
receive their primary power from the building wiring provided
that such wiring is served from a commercial source
and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms
with integral strobes that are not equipped with battery
backup shall be connected to an emergency electrical system.
Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are
low.Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting
switch other than as required for overcurrent protection.
Exceptions:
1. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery
operated in existing buildings where no construction
is taking place.
2. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery
operated in buildings that are not served from a
commercial power source.
3. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery
operated in existing areas of buildings undergoing
alterations or repairs that do not result in the removal
of interior walls or ceiling finishes exposing the
structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement
availablewhich could provide access for building
wiring without the removal of interior finishes.
Doorman
Silver Member
IFC 907.2.11.3:
Where more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit or sleeping unit in Group R or I-1 occupancies, the smoke alarms shall be interconnected in such a manner that the activation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all alarms sound upon activation of one alarm. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.
As long as these are listed appliances and test okay, looks good from here.
Where more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit or sleeping unit in Group R or I-1 occupancies, the smoke alarms shall be interconnected in such a manner that the activation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all alarms sound upon activation of one alarm. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.
As long as these are listed appliances and test okay, looks good from here.
Doorman
Silver Member
"Doorman: my 2009 IFC 907.2.11.3 is missing the sentence regarding "physical interconnection". Is that out of 2012?"
Yes, it is: http://publicecodes.citation.com/icod/ifc/2012/icod_ifc_2012_9_sec007_par039.htm
Yes, it is: http://publicecodes.citation.com/icod/ifc/2012/icod_ifc_2012_9_sec007_par039.htm
imhotep
Silver Member
The 2009 IFC has it as well. Must have been added to a later printing.benny said:
http://publicecodes.citation.com/icod/ifc/2009/icod_ifc_2009_9_sec007_par037.htm
imhotep
Silver Member
Why 2009 IFC 907.2 Where required—new buildings and structures rather than 907.3 Where required in existing buildings and structures?benny said:
If I recall correctly the 2012 codes have provisions to allow wireless SD's. I'll research and see!
Here is what the 2012 IRC says.
R314.5 Interconnection. Where more than one smoke alarm
is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit
in accordance with Section R314.3, the alarm devices shall be
interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one
alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit.
Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be
required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all
alarms sound upon activation of one alarm.
Exception: Interconnection of smoke alarms in existing
areas shall not be required where alterations or repairs do
not result in removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes
exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space
or basement available which could provide access for
interconnection without the removal of interior finishes.
Here is what the 2012 IRC says.
R314.5 Interconnection. Where more than one smoke alarm
is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit
in accordance with Section R314.3, the alarm devices shall be
interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one
alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit.
Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be
required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all
alarms sound upon activation of one alarm.
Exception: Interconnection of smoke alarms in existing
areas shall not be required where alterations or repairs do
not result in removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes
exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space
or basement available which could provide access for
interconnection without the removal of interior finishes.
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