Fire Safety Code, Rhode Island

Interpretations - Details

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
(401) 889-5551 phone
(401) 889-5279 fax
711 TTY
FIRE SAFETY CODE - BOARD OF APPEAL AND REVIEW
560 Jefferson Boulevard
Suite 202
Warwick, RI 02886
INTERPRETATION
FILE NO.: 13-01
MUNICIPALITY: Statewide
REQUESTED BY: RI Realtors Association and the State Fire Marshals Office
SUBJECT: Fire Code requirements for one and two family home smoke and carbon monoxide inspections
APPROVED ON: 2013-01-15
What are the current fire code requirements for one and two family home smoke and carbon monoxide inspections under the newly adopted Fire Code effective January 1, 2013 ?

Determination of the Board:  The following guidelines shall be utilized in the smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detection inspections of one and two family homes:

Homes built in 1976 or prior:

Smoke Alarms shall be installed outside sleeping areas and on each level of the dwelling unit(s) (including basements).   

Smoke Alarms shall be permitted to be battery operated.

Smoke Alarms are not required to be interconnected. 

Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be installed outside sleeping areas.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be permitted to be battery operated.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors are not required to be interconnected. 


Homes built on and after January 1, 1977 through December 31, 2001:

Smoke Alarms shall be installed outside sleeping areas and on each level of the dwelling unit(s) (including basements).   

Smoke Alarms shall be hard-wired with battery backup.

Smoke Alarms shall be required to be interconnected. 

Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be installed outside sleeping areas.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be permitted to be battery operated.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors are not required to be interconnected. 


Homes built on and after January 1, 2002 through February 19, 2004:

Smoke Alarms shall be installed outside sleeping areas and on each level of the dwelling unit(s) (including basements).   

Smoke Alarms shall be hard-wired with battery backup.

Smoke Alarms shall be required to be interconnected. 

Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be installed outside sleeping areas.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be hard-wired with battery backup.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be required to be interconnected. 


Homes built on and after February 20, 2004 through December 31, 2012:

Smoke Alarms shall be installed inside each bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on each level of the dwelling unit(s) (including basements) (In accordance with NFPA 72 (2002 Edition).   

Smoke Alarms shall be hard-wired with battery backup.

Smoke Alarms shall be required to be interconnected. 

Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be installed outside each sleeping area and on each level of the dwelling unit including basements. 

Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be hard-wired with battery backup.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be required to be interconnected. 


Homes built on and after January 1, 2013:
	
	Smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 72 (2010 Edition).

Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 720 (2012 Edition). 


Where the above provisions require both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detections, combination devices shall be permitted and deemed to be acceptable. 

Where smoke alarms are required, household fire alarm systems, in accordance with NFPA 72 (2010 Edition), shall be permitted.

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