adding smoke+carbon monoxide detector

11 days ago

Hello,

I had an occupancy inspection today and the inspector asked that I add a new smoke detector outside the bedroom.

My question is how would I go about adding wiring for new detector? I am assuming hard wired detector is better than battery operated detector. Am I correct?

Is the process of adding wiring complicated and involved - how much would it cost or is that something I can do myself?

Thank you for any suggestions!

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Comments (7)

A Mat
11 days ago
I recommend battery operated vs hard wired.

$20 vs $200-300.

What does the HOA require?
PRO
AiFL
11 days ago
Just buy a battery operated detector, there is no issue with one being better than the other.
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These are life safety issues and must be done to code. You don't get a lot of discretion on this. Typically, all of the sounders in a system must sound together. On residential systems that don't wire to an alarm panel, they have a conductor that is wired to the other detectors that allows them to all activate at once. In a system that is connected to a central panel, they have terminals for having multiple detectors on the same zone while still keeping supervision and of course, you can have multiple zones. Your question was specifically about a heat and smoke detector - can you give us a little more information? Is this wired to a residential panel?
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We installed carbon monoxide detectors in all our rental units at the same time about seven years ago. About 5 years in we had that same issue on about half of them. Did not know there was a recall.
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Also the actual act of burning carbon-made materials (most anything earthy) is where Carbon Monoxide comes from. So a wood burning fireplace could possibly provide deadly levels of CO just as much as a gas-fired appliance like a water heater or furnace is capable of doing. Also also your internet service company brings a wire to your house. They provide or rent you, or you buy yourself, a modem that "translates" the signals coming over that wire, and you can choose to connect a hardwire from the modem to your computer. Or you can choose to attach a router (or use a combo modem/router) to the modem, where the router sends this translated signal out either wirelessly (wi-fi) around your house about 75' or so, and/or you can connect multiple hard wires for equipment into the router. As far as buying Z-Wave interconnected battery detectors, these products use radio waves to send signals to each other (the Z-wave technology). However, AFAIK, you do not need any internet connectivity for them to function - they are a stand alone, closed system. Only if you want to access the detectors through your smartphone, computer, or security system, would you then need to install a Z-wave gateway product which catches their radio signal and then you can control the units over the internet.
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@bpath the floor grate isn’t really scary . We all grew up with them in the 50’s depending on where one lived. Worst thing is the metal can get really hot and children learn to be very agile at jumping over! Its a terrific way to heat a house. very warm and comfortable . As far as exactly how it works I haven’t ever researched it! DH would know. As long as it doesnt leak CO its fine . Will replace at some point. @lascatx yep they oughta be smacked! After inspection will make sure we find out exactly what used and will go back and walk through again. Will post back with info when I know.
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cat_ky
10 days ago
Also agree, with above. Buy a battery operated detector. If you have gas, you can buy one that will detect a gas leak, carbon monoxide and smoke.
Kiran K
Original Author
10 days ago
last modified: 10 days ago
Thank you all!

I overlooked what inspector wrote but looks like he wants me to move an existing one to new location near bedroom. I doubt if existing one is battery operated - so is it OK for me to install a new one instead of moving existing one which could be hard wired?

@A mat - HOA does not have anything regarding smoke detectors in their R&R.
3onthetree
10 days ago
You need a smoke detector within each bedroom (sounds like existing, probably interconnected via hardwire because it's a condo). You then need an additional smoke detector outside the bedroom within the vicinity of the bedrooms (sounds like that is the one you need to add). Code does not require you to rewire an existing building just to add a detector, but of course verify since it's a condo and can't remember if you are in NY. There are options for detectors with wi-fi to interconnect, but it seems a simple battery operated smoke detector would bring you up to compliance.

Also, if you have a gas appliance anywhere (e.g. stove, furnace, WH), then you need to provide a Carbon Monoxide detector in the same vicinity of the bedrooms. That could be a combination Smoke/CO alarm.
Kiran K
Original Author
10 days ago
thank you @3onthetree I do not have any gas appliance - condo is all electric. does that mean I can just go with smoke alarm? condo walls are plaster of paris, would that be an issue to drill hole?
wdccruise
10 days ago
last modified: 10 days ago
"looks like he wants me to move an existing one to new location near bedroom"

You don't have to move the existing detector. Just buy a new one and attach it to the ceiling. The USI MIC3510SB Combination Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector was top-rated by CR (Home Depot, Walmart). The instructions state where to install it.

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adding smoke+carbon monoxide detector

Comments (7)

A Mat

AiFL

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cat_ky

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adding smoke+carbon monoxide detector

Comments (7)

A Mat

AiFL

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cat_ky

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3onthetree

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wdccruise

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