This is not just a recommendation but the law. The majority of states have specific laws around smoke alarms and settings for different types of smoke detectors.
We take a look at the fire safety laws of each state. Check out the state where you live to make sure that you use the correct smoke alarm.
Alabama
Alabama requires all residential buildings to have hardwired smoke alarms with a battery back-up. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Alaska
In Alaska, you need to have hardwired smoke detectors with battery backup in every residential dwelling. They need to be installed with NFPA 72 guidelines, UL-listed and interconnected.
Arizona
In old buildings, you will need smoke alarms sometimes. However, all new buildings require a smoke alarm that is hardwired as well as battery operated.
These smoke alarms need to be UL-listed, interconnected and installed in line with NFPA 72 guidelines.
Arkansas
In Arkansas, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
California
In California, all new homes, multifamily dwellings and used mobile homes must have a smoke alarm.
Colorado
In Colorado, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Connecticut
In Connecticut, you need to have hardwired smoke detectors with battery backup in every residential dwelling. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
All smoke alarms must be in place before the transfer or the sale of a home.
Delaware
In Delaware, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Florida
In Florida, you need to have hardwired smoke detectors with battery backup in every residential dwelling. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
All smoke alarms must be in place before the transfer or the sale of a home.
Georgia
In Georgia, you need to have hardwired smoke detectors with battery backup in every residential dwelling. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Existing battery-operated smoke detectors in multifamily homes must be replaced with sealed battery smoke alarms after ten years.
Hawaii
In Hawaii, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Idaho
In Idaho, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Illinois
In Illinois, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They must be UL-listed and interconnected.
Indiana
In Indiana, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Smoke detectors that are battery operated in motels and hotels must include a tamper-proof battery.
Iowa
In Iowa, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
All battery-operated smoke alarms must be tamper-proof.
Kansas
In Kansas, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup.
Battery-operated smoke detectors must be functional in lodging buildings. If they fail two tests, then a hardwired smoke alarm with battery back-up must be installed.
Kentucky
In Kentucky, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Louisiana
In Louisiana, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Single family homes must have a sealed lithium battery smoke detector installed at the time of the lease or sale.
Maine
In Maine, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Landlords must install a sealed battery smoke detector with ten year lifetime guarantee in single family homes.
Maryland
In Maryland, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be installed with NFPA 72 guidelines, UL-listed and interconnected.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Battery-operated smoke detectors must contain a tamper-proof battery.
Michigan
In Michigan, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Mississippi
In Mississippi, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Missouri
Missouri doesn’t have any state-specific laws in regard to fire safety. Fire safety depends on local laws and requirements. Check with your local municipality.
Montana
In Montana, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Nebraska
In Nebraska, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Nevada
In Nevada, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, all residential buildings require smoke detectors that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
New Jersey
In New Jersey, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
All battery-operated smoke detectors must operate through a 10-year sealed battery. Each single family home must be sold or leased with a certificate for all smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors in the house.
New Mexico
In New Mexico, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
New York
In New York, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Only 10-year sealed battery smoke detectors are allowed to be sold in the state.
North Carolina
In North Carolina, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
North Dakota
There is no state-wide code for fire safety in North Dakota. However, the majority of local authorities require all residential buildings to have smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup.
Ohio
Ohio has some of the strictest fire regulations in the country. It requires a smoke alarm in every sleeping area in residential homes.
Smoke detectors must use both ionization and photoelectric technologies.
Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Oregon
In Oregon, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
All battery-operated smoke detectors must contain a tamper-proof battery.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
South Dakota
In South Dakota, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Tennessee
In Tennessee, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Texas
Texas does not have a statewide fire safety law. Local authorities can adopt different codes.
However, most local authorities require all residential buildings to have smoke alarms in each sleeping area that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Utah
In Utah, all residential buildings require smoke alarms in sleeping areas and on each level. The detectors must be hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
Vermont
Vermont only allows photoelectric smoke detectors that contain a sealed, ten year battery. These have to be installed in all residential buildings.
Virginia
In Virginia, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed, interconnected and installed according to NFPA 72 guidelines.
Washington
In Washington, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected.
West Virginia
In West Virginia, all residential homes must have smoke alarms installed in or near sleeping areas.
For dwellings with hearing impaired or deaf individuals, smoke alarms must also emit a light signal.
Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, smoke detectors must be installed in all residential buildings. They need to be UL-listed and interconnected on each level of the home.
Wyoming
In Wyoming, all residential buildings require smoke alarms that are hardwired and have a battery backup. They need to be UL-listed, interconnected and installed according to NFPA 72 guidelines.
Conclusion
The majority of states have statewide fire safety laws that landlords and home owners need to adhere to.
However, in some states, local authorities apply their own fire safety codes, and you will need to check with your local municipality.
