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Smoke Detector Requirements
Smoke detector requirements as per the Rhode Island life safety code and the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office
To schedule an appointment please call 401-294-3346 ext 7201
- The cost of the inspection ($30.00) shall be borne by the seller. (Rhode island fire code)
- A sixty dollar (60.00) fee will be allowed for any subsequent re-inspection of the same residential occupancy due to improper installation, wrong location, improper wiring method, or the seller’s failure to maintain a mutually agreed appointment. ( Rhode Island fire code).
- No plug-in carbon monoxide detectors is allowed.
- Dwellings that do not contain any fuel-burning appliances or integrated garages are exempt from installing carbon monoxide detectors.
- Smoke alarms shall not remain in service any longer than ten years from the date of manufacture.
- A residential certificate of compliance for smoke and co alarms is good for 120 days.
- It is recommended that you have your inspection scheduled at least two weeks before your closing to allow time for any potential corrections.
- Residential inspections are typically done on Tuesdays.
- Make sure your property is compliant prior to your inspection to avoid the additional inspection fee.
One and two-family dwellings smoke detector and co alarm
Locations and type
Homes built in 1976 or prior:
- Smoke alarms shall be installed outside sleeping areas and on each level of the dwelling unit(s) (including basements).
- Smoke alarms shall be permitted to be battery operated.
- Smoke alarms are not required to be interconnected.
- Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed outside sleeping areas.
- Carbon monoxide detectors shall be permitted to be battery operated.
- Plug-in detectors are not allowed.
- Carbon monoxide detectors are not required to be interconnected.
Homes built on and after January 1, 1977, through December 31, 2001:
- Smoke Alarms shall be installed outside sleeping areas and on each level of the dwelling unit(s) (including basements).
- Smoke Alarms shall be hard-wired with battery backup.
- Smoke Alarms shall be required to be interconnected.
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be installed outside sleeping areas.
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be permitted to be battery operated.
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors are not required to be interconnected.
Homes built on and after January 1, 2002, through February 19, 2004:
- Smoke alarms shall be installed outside sleeping areas and on each level of the dwelling unit(s) (including basements).
- Smoke alarms shall be hard-wired with battery backup.
- Smoke alarms shall be required to be interconnected.
- Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed outside sleeping areas.
- Carbon monoxide detectors shall be hard-wired with battery backup.
- Carbon monoxide detectors shall be required to be interconnected.
Homes built on and after February 20, 2004, through December 31, 2012
- Smoke alarms shall be installed inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on each level of the dwelling unit(s) (including basements).
- Smoke alarms shall be hard-wired with battery backup.
- Smoke alarms shall be required to be interconnected.
- Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed outside sleeping areas.
- Carbon monoxide detectors shall be hard-wired with battery backup.
- Carbon monoxide detectors shall be required to be interconnected.
Homes built on and after January 1, 2013, to the current date
Smoke alarms shall be installed inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on each level of the dwelling unit(s) (including basements).
- Smoke alarms shall be hard-wired with battery backup.
- Smoke alarms shall be required to be interconnected.
- Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed outside sleeping areas and on all levels of the dwelling.
- Carbon monoxide detectors shall be hard-wired with battery backup.
- Carbon monoxide detectors shall be required to be interconnected