29.8.3.4

Section 29.8.3.4 is titled 'Specific Location Requirements' and covers requirements for the placement of smoke alarms. Locations where smoke alarms are and are not allowed is established. The purpose of this section is to reduce smoke alarms from functioning improperly, by either not working when they should, or going off when they shouldn't (referred to as nuisance alarms).

The model shows a split-level style dwelling with 9 of the 13 list items presented; all except one of them are restricted locations. Notice how little room is left in the master bedroom after the exclusion of the bathroom door and the ceiling fan areas, highlighting the importance of careful consideration of smoke detector location restrictions during the design phase. (It is worth noting that this code is referenced from the 2016 IRC, which also has language that closely resembles NFPA 72 language, but has subtle logical differences. The Building Official should be prepared to clarify their interpretation of these differences.)