Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarm requirements as set forth in this chapter shall supersede Iowa Administrative Code, and if any conflict exists between any adopted codes/standards and this chapter, the more restrictive requirement applies. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms provide an early alarm of smoke and carbon monoxide, thereby preventing injury or death by fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
(A) Smoke alarms. It shall be required that all approved and registered dwellings marketed for rent must have installed therein approved, battery-operated smoke alarms:
(1) In each sleeping room. (Iowa Code 661-210, IPMC § 704, and IRC § 314)
(2) Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity (within 15 feet) of the bedrooms. (Iowa Code 661-210, IPMC § 704, and IRC § 314)
(3) On each additional story of the dwelling including common entryways, hallways and stairways, basements and habitable attics, and not including crawl spaces and uninhabited attics. (Iowa Code 661-210, IPMC § 704, IRC § 314, and NFPA 72)
(4) In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without intervening doors between adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level, provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level. (Iowa Code 661-210, IPMC § 704 and IRC § 314)
(5) New dwellings marketed for rent must have installed therein approved ten- year, non-removable and non-replaceable, interconnected, battery-operated alarms installed in accordance with division (A)(1) through (4).
(B) Carbon monoxide alarms. It shall be required that carbon monoxide alarms in dwelling units shall be installed on each story of the dwelling, and outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity (within 15 feet) of the bedrooms (one carbon monoxide alarm shall be allowed to serve both areas, as long as the 15 feet distance requirement is met). Where a fuel-burning appliance is located within a bedroom or its attached bathroom, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed within the bedroom. (IPMC § 705, IRC § 315, and NFPA 72 and 720)
(1) It shall be required that any dwelling covered by the provisions of this chapter that currently have hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms and/or low power wireless (radio) device systems, must incorporate the carbon monoxide alarm in the circuit or through use of a dual-purpose unit that would set off the alarm system if carbon monoxide is detected. (IRC § 315 and NFPA 72 and 720)
(2) Combination carbon monoxide and smoke alarms shall be permitted to be used in lieu of carbon monoxide alarms. (IPMC § 705 and IRC § 315)
(C) Alarm systems. A dwelling unit fire alarm system, including low-power wireless systems, shall be permitted to be used in lieu of smoke alarms. (IPMC § 704, IRC § 314, and IFC § 907)
(1) Where a dwelling unit fire alarm system is installed, it shall become a permanent fixture of the occupancy, owned by the homeowner. (IRC § 314)
(2) Dwelling unit fire alarm systems shall have two independent power sources consisting of a primary source that uses commercial light and power and a secondary source that consists of a battery. (NFPA 72)
(3) Dwelling unit low-power wireless fire alarm systems control units shall have two independent power sources consisting of a primary source that uses commercial light and power and a secondary source that consists of a battery. (NFPA 72)
(4) Dwelling unit low-power wireless fire alarm system remote devices may have a primary power source that consists of a battery. (NFPA 72)
(5) Dwelling unit low-power wireless fire alarm systems may be monitored for integrity. If a low-power wireless fire alarm system is not monitored for integrity, then each wireless device shall have two independent power sources consisting of a primary source that uses commercial light and power and a secondary source that consists of a battery. (NFPA 72)
(6) Dwelling unit fire alarm system (including low-power wireless alarm systems) smoke and carbon monoxide detectors shall meet the requirements of this section. (IPMC § 704, IRC § 314, and NFPA 72)
(D) Alterations, repairs, and additions. Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm power source and interconnection requirements are dependent upon alterations, repairs and additions. It shall be required that any permitted work within any of the three levels of alterations, repairs, and additions, in any dwelling marketed for rent, shall be done in accordance with the provisions and procedures of the applicable International Codes and NFPA standards.
Exceptions:
(1) Work involving the exterior surfaces of dwellings, such as the replacement of roofing or siding, the addition or replacement of windows or doors, or the addition of a porch or deck.
(2) Installation, alteration or repairs of plumbing or mechanical systems, and related electrical equipment and wiring.
(E) Mixed occupancy. It shall be required that new commercial/residential dwellings used for commerce with sleeping quarters in the same building (such as dwelling units over stores) shall conform to the requirements of the International Building Code and International Fire Code.
(F) Additional requirements. It shall be required that approved smoke alarms acceptable under this chapter shall be dual sensor detectors meeting all requirements and shall be sensitive to any products of combustion except that detectors sensitive to heat only are not acceptable.
(1) The smoke alarm signaling devices shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms and other areas used for sleeping when intervening doors are closed. (IPMC § 704, IRC §§ 314 and 315, and IFC § 907)
(2) All devices, combinations of devices, and equipment to be installed in conformity with this chapter shall be approved or listed for the purposes for which they are intended. (NFPA 72)
(3) For the purpose of alarm maintenance, the National Fire Protection Association No. 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, shall be considered accepted practice, and a copy of the standard is on file in the office of the Clerk. (NFPA 72)
(4) Smoke alarms shall be listed in accordance with UL 217. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed in accordance with UL 217 and UL 2034. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be listed in accordance with UL 2034. (Iowa Code 661-210 and IRC §§ 314 and 315)
(5) After June 30, 2022, a battery-powered smoke alarm listed in accordance with UL 217 that is newly installed or replaces an existing battery-powered smoke alarm must be powered by a nonremovable, nonreplaceable battery that powers the alarm for at least ten years. The battery requirements of this division do not apply to a fire alarm, smoke alarms, or ancillary component that is electronically connected as a part of a centrally monitored or supervised alarm system, that uses a low-power, radio frequency wireless communication signal. (Iowa Code 611-210)
(G) Code compliance prior to occupancy. It shall be required that all new one and two-family dwellings, and living units within multi-family structures, cannot be occupied until the installation of approved smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarms pursuant to this chapter is completed and approved, unless prior approval for occupancy has been given by an Enforcement Official. (IPMC 702)
(Ord. 2724, passed 4-11-2023)