waco

I guess the state department of building regulation has decided any residence undergoing any renovations will be upgraded in the smoke alarm area. I wonder, if that revelation happens after the contractor is deep into the renovation, how should the added work be priced? I mean, it might not work well for the homeowner to solicit the work from another contractor because the permit is already issued and the work is in progress, but it is also true the smokes were not part of the original scope.

Nothing particularly straightforward in bringing a place up to code for smokes, but we don't want to appear that we are overcharging.

Anybody else have this issue going on?

So, one county inspector basically told us the house smokes would have to be upgraded (interconnected in all required spaces and wired to commercial power.) Job boss (another jurisdiction said the house could use battery powered smokes. I called that jurisdiction's chief electrical inspector who confirmed, hardwired to commercial power and interconnected. Job boss called his architect who said the smokes can be hardwired or battery.

I'm wondering what is the cause of the confusion. Hard to believe two jurisdictions have it wrong and the architect has it right.

Magnettica

For me, adding a smoke/ carbon monoxide detector circuit to meet NFPA-72 requirements can be found in the rehabilitation sub code. It's a shame that you didn't realize this earlier but they have to go in. I'll bet you're pretty good at snaking wires and if you're not nows the time to get some practice in.

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drsparky

Normally you follow the code from the date the permit was pulled.

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MDShunk

Around here, they have a "50% rule". If the renovation is covering more than 50% of the dwelling or adding 50% more square feet, that triggers the interconnected smokes requirement throughout the whole dwelling. I'm pretty sure that's not written in law anywhere, but it sounds perfectly reasonable to me. The approved plans will state whether the interconnected smokes are just required in the area under renovation or through the whole house.

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waco

Sounds reasonable enough to me. Fully upgraded smokes seems a reach for a bathroom or kitchen remodel.

We encountered it, but thought it was a local jurisdiction initiative.

The work and technique isn't the issue. The pricing and rights of the homeowner are the issue.

MDShunk

If the plans aren't actually back from plan review yet, I normally put a line in the estimate to the effect that if the inspector requires interconnected smokes through the whole house, add $X.XX to the price. I really don't like to break out prices like that, but it really helps to avoid hard feelings later on and puts the blame for the extra fee on the inspection agency. It also gives the option to do it anyhow; required or not.

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KayJay

In my area… add a bedroom and the entire home has to be completely updated to code with interconnected smoke alarms. CO’s on each level with habitable space as well, but for some reason, not required in unfinished areas where many CO generating heating sytems are actually located.
If more than 12 smoke alarms will be interconnected, you’re required to install a system type devices, which equates to a fire alarm panel/system. I believe there is a 40% square footage rule as well, but that may just be a local thing.

Jim Port

At one jurisdiction in MD a building permit triggers the need to update the smokes to todays standard. Finally a reaon to like ranch style houses.

leland

As KJ pointed out,thats basically the rule.
The inspectors (fire prevention) won't spot check existing, but once the 'camels nose' is in he door..........

The CO rule has been in place since March 2006. So 'technically' If a tennant moves out,a new cert of occupancy is needed and at that time the entire place needs to be upgraded (smoke wise).

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