What are the requirements if your 1 or 2 family house was built before January 1, 1975?
Smoke detectors are required as follows:
  • On every habitable level of the residence.
  • On the ceiling at the base of each stairway.
  • On the ceiling outside of each separate sleeping area.
  • The smoke detectors may either be battery powered, hardwired or a combination of the 2.
  • If the smoke detector is located within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower), the smoke detector will be required to be a photoelectric detector.
  • If the smoke detector is outside of 20 feet of a kitchen or a bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower) you must utilize either:
  • A dual detector (containing both ionization and photoelectric technologies); or
  • Two separate detectors (1 photoelectric and 1 ionization).
  • Low voltage household warning systems are exempt from the dual detection requirement.
Carbon monoxide alarms are required as follows:
  • On every level of the residence, including habitable portions of basements and attics and must be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door.
  • Combination detectors (photoelectric smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may be used if the detector is within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower).
  • Combination detectors (ionization smoke and carbon monoxide detector) may be used if the detector is outside of 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower).
  • May be either: battery powered, plug-in with battery backup, hardwired with battery backup, or system type.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement.

Show All Answers

1. What are the smoke detector requirements?
2. What is the difference between ionization and photoelectric technologies?
3. What are the carbon monoxide alarm requirements?
4. What is fossil fuel burning equipment?
5. How will I know what I need?
6. What are the requirements if your 1 or 2 family house was built before January 1, 1975?
7. What are the requirements if your 1 or 2 family house was built between 1975 and August 27, 1997?
8. What are the requirements if your 1 and 2 family house was built after August 27, 1997?
9. What are the requirements if your 1 and 2 family house was built on or after January 1, 2008?
10. How will I get a certificate of compliance?
11. How do I know which kind of smoke detector I have?
12. Can I still have ionization smoke detectors if I am not selling or transferring my home?
13. Are combination carbon monoxide smoke detectors permitted?
14. Are there other recommendations?