There are some notable changes as to what is required to comply with smoke detector placement. These changes bring Inspection standards closer to NFPA standards.
Under the NSPIRE Smoke Alarm Standard V3.0 a smoke alarm is now required to be installed in each sleeping room. Smoke alarms may be hard-wired or battery-operated. Battery powered detectors must have a ten year, tamper resistant battery.
Additional location requirements for smoke alarms in dwelling units are:
-Smoke alarm must be present on each level of the unit
-Within 21 feet of bedroom doors measured along a path of travel
-Where a smoke detector installed outside a bedroom is separated from an adjacent living area by a door, a smoke detector must also be installed on the living area side of the door.
– If mounted on the ceiling, then it must be greater than 4 inches from the wall.
-If mounted on the wall, then the top edge of the smoke alarm cannot be closer than 4 inches or greater than 12 inches from the ceiling.
Smoke alarms are not in compliance if they are found to be installed:
-Within 10 feet of a cooking appliance
-Within 3 feet of a window, door, duct, permanently installed fan where drafts might interfere with their operation
As always, smoke alarms should be free of any paint, obstructions, or decorations and must produce an audio or visual alarm when tested.
Properties that are found to have non compliant smoke alarms have 24 hours to begin corrective action.
All work identified in our initial report should be completed within 30 days of issuance of our preliminary report.
Please contact me with any questions.
Edward Clark
