Smoke Detector Requirements

To schedule an appointment Smoke and CO Inspection From. 
  • The cost of the inspection ($30.00) shall be borne by the seller. (Rhode Island fire code)
  • A sixty dollar (60.00) fee will be allowed for any subsequent re-inspection of the same residential occupancy due to improper installation, wrong location, improper wiring method, or the seller’s failure to maintain a mutually agreed appointment.( Rhode Island fire code)
  • No plug in carbon monoxide detectors are allowed.
  • Dwellings that do not contain any fuel burning appliances or integrated garages are exempt from installing carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Smoke alarms shall not remain in service any longer than ten years from the date of manufacture.
  • A residential certificate of compliance for smoke and co alarms is good for 120 days.
  • It is recommended that you have your inspection scheduled at least two weeks before your closing to allow time for any potential corrections.
  • Residential inspections are typically done on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
  • Make sure your property is compliant prior to your inspection to avoid the additional inspection fee.

CO and Smoke Requirements for One and Two Family Dwellings

Homes built in 1976 or prior
  • Smoke alarms shall be installed outside sleeping areas and on each level of the dwelling unit(s) (including basements).
  • Smoke alarms shall be permitted to be battery operated.
  • Smoke alarms are not required to be interconnected.
  • Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed outside sleeping areas.
  • Carbon monoxide detectors shall be permitted to be battery operated.
  • Plug in detectors are not allowed.
  • Carbon monoxide detectors are not required to be interconnected.
Homes built on and after January 1, 1977 through December 31, 2001
  • Smoke Alarms shall be installed outside sleeping areas and on each level of the dwelling unit(s) (including basements).
  • Smoke Alarms shall be hard-wired with battery backup.
  • Smoke Alarms shall be required to be interconnected.
  • Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be installed outside sleeping areas.
  • Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be permitted to be battery operated.
  • Carbon Monoxide Detectors are not required to be interconnected.
Homes built on and after January 1, 2002 through February 19, 2004:
  • Smoke alarms shall be installed outside sleeping areas and on each level of the dwelling unit(s) (including basements).
  • Smoke alarms shall be hard-wired with battery backup.
  • Smoke alarms shall be required to be interconnected.
  • Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed outside sleeping areas.
  • Carbon monoxide detectors shall be hard-wired with battery backup.
  • Carbon Monoxide detectors shall be required to be interconnected
Homes built on and after February 20, 2004 through December 31, 2012
  • Smoke alarms shall be installed inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on each level of the dwelling unit(s) (including basements).
  • Smoke alarms shall be hard-wired with battery backup.
  • Smoke alarms shall be required to be interconnected.
  • Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed outside each sleeping area and on each level of the dwelling unit including the basement. 
  • Carbon monoxide detectors shall be hard-wired with battery backup.
  • Carbon monoxide detectors shall be required to be interconnected
Homes built on and after January 1, 2013
  • Smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 72 (2010 Edition).
  • Carbon Monoxide Detectors shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 720 (2012 Edition).
  • Where the above provisions require both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detections, combination devices shall be permitted and deemed to be acceptable.
  • Where smoke alarms are required, household fire alarm systems, in accordance with NFPA 72 (2010 Edition), shall be permitted.