Fishers, IN Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

Smoke detector requirements for homes in Fishers are set by Indiana state law rather than a distinct city ordinance. Indiana Code 22-11-18-3.5 requires that a dwelling have at least one functional smoke detector installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and located outside each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. Additional functional smoke detectors must be installed on each additional story of the dwelling, including basements, cellars, and habitable attics. Detectors must be either battery-operated or hardwired into the dwelling's electrical system, accessible for servicing and testing, and tested by the occupant at least once every six months to confirm they are operational. For rental dwellings, the owner (or the owner's manager or rental agent) is responsible for installing required smoke detectors and for replacing or repairing them within seven working days after written notice of the need. At the time a landlord delivers a rental unit, the landlord must require the tenant to acknowledge in writing that the unit is equipped with a functional smoke detector. The applicable building and fire codes adopted by the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission also govern smoke alarm placement in new construction. Separately, Fishers operates an alarm-permit registration program for security and fire alarm systems to reduce false alarms, which is administrative and distinct from these life-safety smoke-detector requirements.