Smoke alarm requirements
Requirements for new construction (built on or after March 31, 2020
- New construction must follow fire code section 907.2.10.
- New homes constructed to the MRC shall comply with Section R314.
Smoke alarms must be:
- In hallways outside sleeping rooms.
- In sleeping rooms.
- On each level of the building and in basements
- On the ceiling or wall (not more than 12 inches below ceiling)
- On the center of ceiling above stairways.
Smoke alarms need to be hard-wired with a 120-volt power supply. Battery back-up is also required. They must also be interconnected (sound in all areas when activated.
Requirements for existing buildings
- Existing hotel guest rooms or lodging houses must comply with Minnesota statute. This requires a single-station smoke alarm in the guest room used for sleeping purposes.
- Existing residential buildings must follow the fire code.
|
Condition |
Location |
Power supply |
Interconnected? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Existing buildings that do not have any smoke alarms (same as new). |
In hallways outside sleeping rooms. In sleeping rooms. On each level of the building and in basements. On ceiling or wall (less than 12 inches below ceiling). On center of ceiling above stairways. |
If constructed on or after 8/1/1989, smoke alarms are required to be hard-wired (120 volt). If constructed before 8/1/1989, smoke alarms can be battery-powered. |
No interconnection is required for battery-powered alarms. |
|
Existing buildings (constructed on or after 8/1/1989). |
In hallways outside sleeping rooms. On each level and in basements. On ceiling or wall (less than 12 inches below ceiling). |
Smoke alarms are required to be hard-wired (120 volt). |
No interconnection is required. |
|
Existing buildings (constructed before 8/1/1989). |
In hallways outside sleeping rooms. On each level and in basements. On ceiling or wall (less than 12 inches below ceiling). |
Smoke alarms can be battery-powered. |
No interconnection is required. |
|
Replacement of smoke alarms in existing buildings. |
Smoke alarms must be installed in same locations as originally installed. |
Power supply must be the same as the smoke alarms being replaced. |
Interconnection must be provided if the smoke alarms being replaced were interconnected. |
Questions?
You can email us with your Minnesota State Fire Code questions. Code staff monitor this email address regularly and will respond to your question. During busier times, it may take up to a week before we are able to respond. If you don't hear back from us after one week, please let us know. Thanks for your patience.