Proper smoke alarm placement is crucial for safety. Here is where they must be installed:

• Bedrooms & Sleeping Areas: One inside each bedroom and one outside each bedroom in the immediate vicinity (within 15 feet).
• Multiple Stories: At least one on every level, including basements and habitable attics.
• Split-Level Homes: A single alarm on the upper level may suffice if the lower level is less than one full story below.
• Bathroom Proximity: At least 3 feet away from bathroom doors to prevent false alarms.

Interconnection Requirements

When one alarm sounds, they all should. For new construction, alarms must be hardwired and interconnected. In homes undergoing alterations, wireless interconnected alarms (with a 10-year sealed battery) may be used instead of hardwired alarms. In rentals, hardwired alarms must be 10-year sealed battery and remain hardwired.

Following these requirements ensures your home is up to code and your family stays safe.