Hoover, AL Building Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Alarm placement
- Within 6 ft of garage door
- Governing code
- 2021 IRC, Hoover amendments
- Door standard
- Solid or 20-min fire-rated door
- Enforcement
- Hoover Building Inspections Department
Summary
Hoover's residential code amendment requires a smoke and carbon monoxide alarm within six feet of any door connecting the garage to the home, on the living-space side, enforced by the city's building inspections department.
A smoke alarm and heat detector in the garage, and a smoke/carbon monoxide alarm, provided in accordance with Section R314, within six (6) feet of the door on the residence side.
Section R309.5 Delete section in its entirety without replacement.
Section R313.2 Delete section in its entirety without replacement.
Section P2603.5.1 Delete section in its entirety and replace with the following:
P2603.5.1 Sewer depth. Building sewers that connect to private sewage disposal systems shall be placed below finished grade at the point of septic tank connection (i) at a depth directed in the manufacturer's instructions or (ii) at a depth directed by the building official. All other building sewers shall be placed below grade (i) at a depth directed in the manufacturer's instructions or (ii) at a depth directed by the building official.
Section P2904 Delete section (including sections 2904.1 through 2904.8 and any subsections and charts thereunder) in its entirety without replacement.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23).
Full Breakdown
Under the City of Hoover's 2021 amendments to the International Residential Code, doors between an attached garage and the home must be solid wood at least 1-3/8 inches thick, solid-core steel, or 20-minute fire-rated. The amendment goes further than the base IRC by requiring a smoke alarm and heat detector inside the garage itself, plus a combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarm installed within six feet of the garage-side door, on the residence side, in accordance with IRC Section R314. Hoover's building inspections department enforces this at final inspection.
Violations & Fines
Failing final inspection for a missing garage-door smoke/CO alarm delays occupancy; violating any adopted residential code provision is punishable under City Code Section 1-5, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hoover require carbon monoxide alarms in homes?
What type of door is required between a garage and house in Hoover?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hoover
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