ELECTRICAL CODE INTERPRETATION
SUBJECT: Smoke Detectors
CODE REFERENCE: 210.71 (A) (5) (NC amendment)
SUBMITTED BY: N/A
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2002
PROBLEM: Are smoke detectors required to be added to an existing home when a permit is pulled for a
replacement of a water heater or furnace?
SOLUTION: The Building Code Council of NC has given an interpretation that the intent of this
requirement is: that smoke detectors are required to be installed only if a building permit is required for the
interior of the structure (replacement of water heaters, furnaces, fixtures, and such would not require the
installation of smoke detectors).
SOLVED BY: CONSISTENCY TEAM - GERALD HARVELL - PAUL REED – RANDY NEILL – AL
KIRKMAN-GERALD BARNES - MATT KING –DANNY SIMPSON – JIM LONG – JOHN WEST – JERRY
ELLENBURG
January 8, 2002
APPROVED BY: GERALD HARVELL ELECTRICAL CPM