Smoke Alarm Device Requirements in Dwelling and Sleeping Units

This applies to all new and existing one- and two-family homes, apartments, condos, hotels etc:

 

2022 NFPA 72 29.8.1 Required Smoke Detection. 

29.8.1.1 Where required by other governing laws, codes, or standards (see below) for a specific type of occupancy, listed single- and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed as follows:

  • (1) In all sleeping rooms and guest rooms
  • (2) Outside of each separate dwelling unit sleeping area, within 21 ft (6.4 m) of any door to a sleeping room, with the distance measured along a path of travel
  • (3) On every level of a dwelling unit, including basements
  • (5) In the living area(s) of a guest suite
  •  (references to board and care facilities (4) and (6) removed for clarity, if you have one call for info)

Smoke detection must also installed at least 10' from a fixed cooking appliance (oven/stove), in general.   Smoke alarms shall also installed at least 3' from a bathroom door with a shower in it, in general.  er sections listed below. If you need guidance please ask.

 

2024 NFPA 101 (State Fire Code That Mandates Smoke Detection as Described Above)

In One- and Two-Family Dwellings 24.3.4.1  Please note:

24.3.4.1.3  In existing one- and two-family dwellings, approved smoke alarms powered by batteries shall be permitted.

New and Existing Apartments (condos), New and Existing Hotels and other occupancy types also require smoke detection per section 9.6.2.10.  That section requires compliance with the first section at the top, 72.29.8.1.  

 

 

 Please be careful making online purchases that are much cheaper than other devices, there is a trend of some online brands labelling the product as UL or ETL listed, however it is not  

 

 

 

Maintenance of Devices Required: (Single-Family, Apartments, Condos including Rentals)

 

State of NH RULES CHAPTER Saf-C 6000  FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY RULES:

 Statutory Authority:  RSA 153:5; RSA 153:8-a; RSA 153:10-a, III; RSA 153:10-b, VI; RSA 153:14, IV; and RSA 158:28, III.

PART Saf-C 6010  AUTOMATIC FIRE DETECTION AND WARNING DEVICES AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTION EQUIPMENT

          Saf-C 6010.01  Maintenance of Devices Required.

          (a)  The owner of a single-family dwelling, multi-unit dwelling, or rental unit shall be responsible for maintaining all automatic fire detection and warning equipment and carbon monoxide alarms or detectors in good working order.

          (b)  No person, tenant, or occupant of a multi-unit dwelling or rental unit shall remove any battery from an automatic fire detection and warning equipment or carbon monoxide alarm or detector, disconnect the primary power to an automatic fire detection and warning equipment or carbon monoxide alarm or detector, or tamper with or otherwise render inoperable any automatic fire detection and warning equipment or carbon monoxide alarm or detector.

 

References

NH Fire Laws Annotated 153:10-a

NH state fire code, RSA 153:5, Including 2024 NFPA 101, 2022 NFPA 72

NH Administrative Rules, Chapter Saf-C-6000 and FMO-300