Brentwood, CA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirement
- Alarms required inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, on every level
- Requirement
- New construction/major remodels: hardwired with battery backup and interconnected
- Requirement
- Battery-only alarms sold after 7/1/2015: 10-year sealed battery required (HSC 13114)
- Requirement
- Seller must certify smoke alarm compliance at sale (HSC 13113.8)
- Requirement
- Replace alarms at manufacturer interval (typically 10 years)
Summary
All Brentwood dwelling units must have working smoke alarms under California Health and Safety Code 13113.7 and 13113.8. Alarms are required inside each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. At sale or lease, compliance must be certified. Battery-only alarms sold after July 1, 2015 must have a non-replaceable 10-year sealed battery.
13113.7.
(a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, smoke alarms, approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 13114 at the time of installation, shall be installed, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions in each dwelling intended for human occupancy.
(2) For all dwelling units intended for human occupancy for which a building permit is issued on or after January 1, 2014, for alterations, repairs, or additions exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), the permit issuer shall not sign off on the completion of work until the permittee demonstrates that all smoke alarms required for the dwelling unit are devices approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 13114.
Full Breakdown
8 requires sellers to certify compliance at sale. The California Residential Code R314 and California Building Code 907 establish current placement standards: smoke alarms are required inside each sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms, and on each additional story of the dwelling including basements. In new construction and when substantial alterations or additions requiring a permit are made, alarms must be hardwired with battery backup and interconnected so that activation of one triggers all alarms in the unit.
For existing dwellings where alterations do not involve removal of wall or ceiling finishes, battery-only alarms remain acceptable. Since July 1, 2015, all battery-only smoke alarms sold in California must have a non-removable, non-replaceable battery that powers the alarm for at least 10 years, and must display the date of manufacture, provide a low-battery hush feature, and be compatible with testing by the homeowner (HSC 13114). Combination smoke/CO alarms must meet both smoke and CO standards. Alarms must be replaced at the manufacturer's recommended interval, generally 10 years from date of manufacture.
7 for smoke). Brentwood enforces these requirements through the Building Division at permit inspection and through Code Enforcement in response to complaints. Failure to maintain working alarms can result in administrative citations and civil liability if a fire occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many smoke alarms do I need in my Brentwood home?
Do battery-only alarms still meet code?
Who is responsible in a rental, landlord or tenant?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brentwood
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