Hot take: The new fire alarm code in my city is a nightmare for retrofits

Before the update, I could swap a smoke detector in an old building in maybe 30 minutes. Now, the 2023 code says every unit needs interconnected, hardwired photoelectric sensors, and the wiring in these 70s places is a mess. How are you guys handling these jobs without tearing out whole walls?

3 comments

3 Comments

bettykim3mo ago

We used wireless interconnect kits on our last retrofit. They meet code and saved us from running new wire through finished ceilings. The transmitters just wire into the existing power, and the sensors talk to each other. It was a bit more upfront cost but saved days of labor.

brown.reese3mo ago

Yeah but I've had those wireless ones fail on me before.

betty_reed612mo ago

I totally get being worried about wireless ones failing. I was the same way for years, always thought hardwired was the only reliable option. But we put in a wireless system at my place three years ago and it's been solid, not a single false alarm. The tech has really come a long way from the early stuff that gave it a bad name. It made me change my mind completely.