48-74. Fire Protection Systems

  1. General. All systems, devices and equipment to detect a fire, actuate an alarm, or suppress or control a fire or any combination thereof shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times in accordance with the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code.
  2. Smoke Alarms. Single or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained per the following:
    1. Residences constructed prior to June 30, 1999 shall have one battery operated smoke alarm for each floor of the dwelling unit.
    2. Residences constructed on or after June 30, 1999 shall have one smoke alarm in each bedroom, one smoke alarm within 10 feet of every sleeping area, and at least one smoke alarm on each floor, including basements, but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. Such smoke alarms shall be electrically operated with a battery backup power source.
    3. All residential dwelling units shall maintain required smoke alarm and fire protection systems required by the N.C. State Building Code applicable at the time of construction or otherwise applicable State law or regulation.
    4. For rental dwelling units, the owner shall provide the required smoke alarms, consistent with this ordinance and state law. This shall include functioning smoke alarms with the initial occupancy by a tenant. Tenants shall be required to maintain the batteries for smoke alarms as required by state law.
  3. Power source. When an electrical power source is required, single-station smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring provided that such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are low. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as required for over current protection.
  4. Interconnection. For residential dwellings built after June 30, 1999 where more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed, the smoke alarms shall be interconnected in such a manner that the activation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.