International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
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| Interior Inspections Contains discussions about the interior portion of a home inspection. This includes stairs, walls, floors, ceilings, smoke detectors, etc. |
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#1
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I went to a exclusive high rise development today with state of the art sprinkler system installed in every room and a siren near the front door.
Heck.. the stairwells even have call for help intercoms. This is the second time in the last couple of weeks I have inspected here and apparently all of the units have only one lonely smoke detector. Are they excused from needing one for each bedroom and near the front door because of the sprinklers. I say no What say you |
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#2
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I say NO!!!
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#3
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Please Note:
dbush is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Robert, do the sprinklers have heat sensors installed on every sprinkler head? That would be the exception I think. I would still recommend a smoke detector in every living space (read bedroom) because the noise would wake someone up much better than getting wet.
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#4
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In Illinois in multi family homes a smoke detector must be installed in the basement, at the head of open stairs at each floor level, at the door leading to enclosed stairs at each floor level, within 15 feet of each living units sleeping area, in each bedroom. I see no exceptions to sprinkler systems. I could be wrong. Obviously, what if the sprinkler sytem failed?
Christopher Currins Certified, Licensed Proudly serving the St.Louis Metro St. Charles, St. Peters, Maryland Heights, O'Fallon, Florrisant, MO Home Inspector BLESSED ARE THE CRACKED, FOR THEY ARE THE ONES WHO LET IN THE "LIGHT"!
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#5
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Chris I agree.
My reason is different though. Most people die from smoke inhalation, he types with cigarette planted in mouth. Here is a cool link I found a while back. Check it out as it nis rich with code . http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.d...gal:chicago_il |
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#6
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Quote:
Christopher Currins Certified, Licensed Proudly serving the St.Louis Metro St. Charles, St. Peters, Maryland Heights, O'Fallon, Florrisant, MO Home Inspector BLESSED ARE THE CRACKED, FOR THEY ARE THE ONES WHO LET IN THE "LIGHT"!
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#7
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How big was the place? Was it a studio?
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#8
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I am not sure how updated it is as I just rediscovered it when looking for a reason to allow one smoke detector.
Lots of good fire code info though still it is Chicago code which means nothing in our world |
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#9
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Where is the language for needing a smoke detector at the front door as some of the national sites I am looking at only worry about bedrooms.
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#10
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This is what goes in my reports (Note sleeping area/room not just bedroom)
NFPA Installation and maintenance tips
Most smoke alarms use one of two common sensing systems for detecting a fire.
NFPA has convened the Task Group on Smoke Detection Technologies, a task group of NFPA’s Technical Committee on Single- and Multiple-Station Alarms and Household Fire Alarm Systems to review current research and other sources of information to determine the best methods and practices for detecting smoke and to determine if changes may be needed in the next edition of the National Fire Alarm Code. The task group will consider a range of issues including false alarms and the speed of detector response. In the interim it is recommended that both types of detection be installed in homes. NFPA does not test, label or approve any products. Updated: 7/07 ADAIR INSPECTION 972-487-5634 Commercial-Residential-Construction-EIFS-Infrared Thermography TREC # 4563 EDI: EIFS-MA TX # 39 2008 US Member of the Year life is the random lottery of events followed by numerous narrow escapes accept the good Last edited by badair; 1/3/08 at 4:20 AM.. |
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#11
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While we're on this subject maybe a coupon for alarms and batteries should be included in the Home Head Start Guide.
Nick, What do you think? ADAIR INSPECTION 972-487-5634 Commercial-Residential-Construction-EIFS-Infrared Thermography TREC # 4563 EDI: EIFS-MA TX # 39 2008 US Member of the Year life is the random lottery of events followed by numerous narrow escapes accept the good |
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#12
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Barry, good point.
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#13
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Thanks Barry.
I was sure about there being a requirment for them to be placed at the bottom and top of stairs, and near entry doors , but do not see it. |
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#14
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Barry's reply is good and that is the general recommendation per NFPA 72 which in the case of smoke detectors specifies how smokes are to be installed if required. NFPA 101(Life Safety Code) specifies what type of fire alarms are required in different types of occupancies. A highrise is very likely to have different requirements than a standard residential unit.
Also the AHJ has final say on fire requirements no matter what the code says. I have seen some require less than code and some require much more. |
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