Des Moines, IA Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Des Moines Municipal Code § 46-67
- Alarm standard
- UL 268 and NFPA 72
- Occupancies covered
- R-1, R-2, R-4, I-1
- Dwelling-unit alarms
- Addressable, monitored by fire alarm system
- First-offense penalty
- Up to $750 civil fine
Summary
Des Moines requires listed smoke alarms meeting UL 268 in R-1, R-2, R-4 and I-1 occupancies, with dwelling-unit alarms wired addressable to the building fire alarm system under City Code § 46-67.
Listed single and multiple-station smoke alarms complying with UL 268 shall be installed in accordance with provisions of this code and the household fire warning equipment provision of NFPA 72. Smoke alarms in dwelling units shall be addressable with sounder bases and monitored by the building fire alarm system as a supervisory signal only. Mini horns in dwelling units are not required if notification from a building fire alarm system is through the smoke alarms with sounder bases. Section 46-67 only applies to the R-1, R-2, R-4 and I-1 occupancies as defined in the International Fire Code. Single and multi-station smoke alarms shall be installed in locations detailed in sections 907.2.11.
(O.15,546, 15,860, 16,318)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
The Des Moines Fire Department enforces Section 46-67 of the fire code, which requires listed single- and multiple-station smoke alarms meeting UL 268 in R-1, R-2, R-4 and I-1 occupancies: apartments, hotels, dormitories and institutional-care buildings. Dwelling-unit alarms must be addressable, wired with sounder bases, and monitored by the building's fire alarm system as a supervisory signal; standalone mini horns aren't required if the building system already sounds through those alarms. Placement follows International Fire Code section 907.2.11. Violations are enforced as fire-code infractions under section 46-4, with civil penalties up to $750 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat offenses in the same year.
Violations & Fines
Fire-code infractions under §§ 46-3 and 46-4: misdemeanor fines or civil penalties up to $750 for a first offense, $1,000 for repeat offenses within the same calendar year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply to single-family homes in Des Moines?
What's different about these smoke alarms versus a typical house alarm?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Des Moines
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