What is mandated regarding the installation of smoke alarms in residential buildings?

The requirement for smoke alarms to be hardwired into the home's electrical system reflects a critical safety measure in residential buildings. Hardwired smoke alarms are directly connected to a building’s electrical wiring, which ensures that they have a constant power supply. This significantly reduces the risk of battery failure, which can lead to alarms being inoperable during a fire emergency. Additionally, hardwired smoke alarms often come with a backup battery, providing an extra layer of safety in case of a power outage.

In many jurisdictions, including those governed by the North Carolina Residential Code, this installation method is preferred for new constructions or substantial renovations to enhance overall safety. Furthermore, hardwired smoke alarms typically provide a more integrated system, as they can be connected to other alarms throughout the house, ensuring that when one alarm sounds, all alarms sound, alerting residents more effectively.

This requirement underscores the importance of proactive fire safety measures in residential design, thereby improving the likelihood of timely alerts in the event of smoke or fire.