Augusta Fire Rescue

What dwelling units are regulated by Section 2.13 of the Fire Code?

Section 2.13 applies to all detached houses, semi-detached houses and row houses where each house is occupied as a dwelling unit. (A dwelling unit is defined by the Fire Code as meaning “a suite operated as a housekeeping unit, used or intended to be used as a domicile by one or more persons and usually containing cooking, eating, living, sleeping and sanitary facilities”.) A seasonal home, such as a cabin or cottage, is also considered a dwelling unit for the purpose of this Section. Section 2.13 also captures any other dwelling unit that is not otherwise regulated by Retrofit, Part 9 of the Fire Code. For example, where a building contains a mixed use of occupancies and also contains one or two dwelling units, Section 2.13 would require the dwelling unit(s) to be provided with smoke alarms. Part 9 regulates houses containing secondary apartment units and most multi-storey, multi-unit residential buildings. Smoke alarm requirements for these buildings are already contained in Part 9 of the Fire Code and Section 2.13 does not apply to these units.

Many homes have existing smoke alarms that are hardwired to an electrical circuit. Where additional smoke alarms are installed, are these required to be hardwired as well?

No. Any additional smoke alarms required by Section 2.13 of the Fire Code are permitted to be battery powered.

A dwelling unit has two existing smoke alarms that are hardwired to an electrical circuit and interconnected to each other. When one activates, the second smoke alarm also activates at the same time. If additional smoke alarms are being installed to comply with the Fire Code, do they have to be electrically interconnected to the existing smoke alarms?

No. The additional smoke alarms may be battery powered and need not be inter-connected. Additional hardwired smoke alarms would also satisfy the requirements, whether or not they are interconnected. However, interconnected smoke alarms are a good idea for maximum protection.

Is it permissible to replace existing permanently hardwired individual smoke alarms or electrically interconnected smoke alarms with battery powered smoke alarms?

No. When smoke alarms are being replaced, the installation must not reduce the level of detection required by the Building Code in effect at the time of construction of the dwelling unit, or by municipal by-laws in effect before the Fire Code adopted this requirement. This requirement is contained in Sentence 6.3.3.5.(1) of the Fire Code. In other words, existing permanently wired individual smoke alarms or electrically interconnected smoke alarm installations must be maintained to provide the same level of protection as originally required. Any replacement smoke alarms must be of a type comparable to the original (or better).