A. Definitions:
OCCUPANT: The responsible party for maintaining in good working order the required smoke detector(s).
OWNER: The responsible party for providing and installing in good working order the required smoke detector(s).
R-1: This use group shall include all hotels, motels, boarding houses and similar buildings arranged for shelter and sleeping accommodations for more than five (5) occupants, who are primarily transient in nature, occupying the facilities for a period of less than thirty (30) days, or as defined per the current edition of the applicable building code.
R-2: This use group shall include all multiple-family dwellings having more than two (2) dwelling units, and shall also include all boarding houses and similar buildings arranged for shelter and sleeping accommodations in which the occupants are primarily not transient in nature, or as defined per the current edition of the applicable building code.
R-3: This use group shall include all buildings arranged for occupancy as one- or two-family dwelling units, including not more than five (5) lodgers or boarders per family and multiple single-family dwellings where each unit has an independent means of egress and is separated by a two (2) hour fire separation assembly, or as defined per the current edition of the applicable building code.
R-4: This use group shall include all detached one- or two- family dwellings not more than three (3) stories in height and the accessory structures, or as defined per the applicable building code.
I-1: This use group shall include buildings and structures which house six (6) or more individuals who, because of age, mental disability or other reasons, must live in a supervised environment but who are physically capable of responding to an emergency situation without personal assistance, or as defined per the current edition of the applicable building code.
B. Inspection And Testing: All smoke detectors shall be inspected in place at twelve (12) month intervals to identify missing detectors, detectors with impeded smoke entry, dirty detectors and detectors no longer properly located because of occupancy or structure changes. Additionally, a test shall be performed at twelve (12) month intervals to ensure that each smoke detector is in an operable condition and produces the intended response by causing the detector to initiate an alarm at the installed location with smoke or other aerosol acceptable to the manufacturer and to demonstrate that smoke will enter the chamber and initiate an alarm.
C. Type; Installation: Single and multiple station smoke detectors shall be of an approved type and shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of the applicable code and the household fire warning equipment provisions for NFPA 72.
D. Location Requirements: Single or multiple station smoke detectors shall be installed and maintained in full operating condition in the locations described herein.
1. Use Group R-1: Single or multiple station smoke detectors shall be installed and maintained in the following locations in use group R-1:
a. In all sleeping areas;
b. In every room in the path of the means of egress from the sleeping area to the door leading from the guest room or suite; and
c. In each story within the guest rooms or suites, including basements. For guest rooms or suites with split levels and without any intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke detector 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.
2. Use Groups R-2 And R-3:
a. Single or multiple station smoke detectors shall be installed and maintained in all occupancies in the use groups R-2 and R-3 at the following locations:
(1) In the immediate vicinity of bedrooms;
(2) In all bedrooms; and
(3) In each story within a dwelling unit, including basements.
b. Exceptions:
(1) In dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke detector 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.
(2) In buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system, smoke detectors are not required in bedrooms where the bedrooms are equipped with residential sprinklers.
3. Use Group R-4:
a. Single or multiple station smoke detectors shall be installed and maintained in all occupancies in the use groups R-4 at the following locations:
(1) In the immediate vicinity of bedrooms;
(2) In each story within a dwelling unit, including basements.
b. Exceptions: In dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke detector 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.
4. Use Group I-1: Single or multiple station smoke detectors shall be installed and maintained in all sleeping areas in occupancies in use group I-1. Single or multiple station smoke detectors shall not be required where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic detection system.
E. Interconnection: Where more than one detector is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit in an occupancy in use group R-2 or R-3, or within an individual guestroom or suite in an occupancy in use group R-1, the detectors shall be interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will actuate all the alarms in the individual unit.
F. Battery Backup: In addition to the required AC primary power source, required smoke detectors in occupancies in use groups R-2, R-3 and I-1 shall receive power from a battery when the AC primary power source interrupted. Battery backup shall not be required for smoke detectors in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.
G. Acceptance Testing: When the installing of the detectors is complete, each detector, and all interconnecting wiring for multiple station detectors, shall be subject to one hundred percent (100%) acceptance test in accordance with the household fire warning equipment provisions of NFPA 72.
H. Violation: It is unlawful for any person to violate any provision of this section or to tamper with, remove, destroy, disconnect or remove power from any installed smoke detector, except in the course of inspection, testing, maintenance and, upon conviction, shall be subject to the general penal provisions of this code. (2003 Code)