Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

CITY OF NEWARK, CALIFORNIA BUILDING INSPECTION DIVISION
37101 Newark Boulevard, Newark, CA 94560-3796 • Phone: 510-578-4261 • Fax : 510-578-4307 • e-mail: [email protected]

GENERAL: Sections R314 and R315 of the 2019 California Residential Code require the installation of both
smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all new dwelling units and in existing dwellings whenever alterations
and/or additions exceed $1,000.00 in construction valuation.

SMOKE DETECTORS: Smoke detectors shall be installed in the following locations;
• In each sleeping room
• Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms
• At each story including basements and habitable attics. The alarms located outside sleeping areas
can be counted as meeting this requirement for the story they are located on.
There are specific requirements for installing smoke detectors in the above mentioned rooms.
• Smoke detectors should be mounted on the ceiling as close to the center of the room as possible. If
this is not practical, mount no closer than four inches (4”) from any wall or corner. For sloped
ceilings mount the detector between twenty inches (20”) and sixty inches (60”) from the high point
of the ceiling. If the detector is mounted on a wall install the detector no closer than four inches (4”)
and no further than twelve inches (12”) from the ceiling and no closer than four inches (4”) from a
corner.
• Smoke alarms shall not be installed in bathrooms containing a bathtub or shower and no closer than
three feet (3’) from opening to the bathroom.
• Smoke alarms should not be installed on un-insulated ceilings or exterior walls.
• Smoke alarms shall be installed no closer than ten feet (10’) from a permanently installed cooking
device.
• Smoke alarms shall not be installed within three feet (3’) of a forced air heating or cooling register.
• Ionization smoke alarms shall have an integral battery with a ten year life and be equipped with a
alarm silencing switch.
• Smoke alarms have a useful life of only ten years. Smoke alarms with a manufacturing date over ten
years old shall be replaced.

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS: Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless,
and initially non-irritating. Carbon monoxide is a product of incomplete combustion of organic matter.
Common sources of carbon monoxide in and around dwellings are fire places, gas stoves, gas water heaters, gas
furnaces, automobiles, and small internal combustion engines. Exposures at 100 ppm or greater can be
dangerous to human health. Symptoms include lightheadedness, confusion, headaches, vertigo, and flu-like
effects. High exposures can lead to significant toxicity of the central nervous system and heart, and death.
Carbon Monoxide alarms shall be installed in the following locations:
• Outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s).
• On every level of a dwelling unit including basements.
POWER SUPPLY: In new construction and significant remodels /additions smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors shall be powered by the primary electrical system and have a battery backup. All smoke detectors in

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

new and significant remodels /additions shall be interconnected. All carbon monoxide detectors in new and
significant remodels /additions shall be interconnected. On small additions or alterations to existing dwellings
smoke and carbon monoxide detectors may be battery powered only and need not be interconnected. Carbon
monoxide detectors that plug into an electrical wall receptacle are not acceptable.

COMBINATION SMOKE and CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS:

Combination smoke and
carbon monoxide detectors may be used provided they meet the standards listed above and are installed
per the manufacturer’s printed instructions.

INSPECTIONS: Smoke and Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed prior to the final inspection for all
construction. An inspection will be performed by a City Building Inspector. It is impractical for a City
Building Inspector to perform an inspection of the interior of a dwelling for projects only involving outdoor
construction such as re-roofing. Therefore, in lieu of the City Building Inspector performing an inspection for
smoke and carbon monoxide detectors the homeowner or permit applicant can certify that all required smoke
and carbon monoxide detectors have been properly installed.

SPECIAL STATE LAW: A state law, unrelated to building code standards, requires all existing single family
dwellings to have carbon monoxide detectors installed by January 1, 1986. All existing multi-family dwellings,
such as apartments, shall have carbon monoxide detectors installed by January 1, 1987. The City Building
Inspection Division does not have the authority to enforce this state law but highly recommends that carbon
monoxide and smoke detectors be installed in all existing dwellings, even if no construction work is performed.

SELF CERTIFICATION: As the property owner, property manager or licensed contractor, I certify that both
smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the quantity and locations listed above have been installed at the
dwelling listed below and operate properly. (Self Certification is only used for residential re-roofing projects)