Garland, TX Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Every Bedroom, Outside
- Required in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and each floor
- New Construction Must
- New construction must be hardwired and interconnected with battery backup
- Texas Property Code
- Texas Property Code requires landlords to provide working alarms
- Free Alarms Available
- Free alarms available from Garland Fire Department for qualifying residents
- Replace Alarms Every
- Replace alarms every 10 years; test monthly and replace batteries annually
Summary
Garland requires working smoke alarms in every dwelling unit under the adopted International Fire Code and Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 766, with placement in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each floor.
Sec. 766.002. SMOKE DETECTOR REQUIREMENT. (a) Each one-family or two-family dwelling constructed in this state must have working smoke detectors installed in the dwelling in accordance with the smoke detector requirements of the building code in effect in the political subdivision in which the dwelling is located, including performance, location, and power source requirements. (b) If a one-family or two-family dwelling does not comply with the smoke detector requirements ..., any home improvement to the dwelling that requires the issuance of a building permit must include the installation of smoke detectors in accordance with the building code in effect in the political subdivision in which the dwelling is located.
Full Breakdown
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 766 mandates smoke alarms in all one- and two-family dwellings, and Garland enforces this through its adopted International Fire Code and Property Maintenance Code under Chapter 26 (Fire Prevention). Smoke alarms must be installed inside each bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms, and on each story including basements. Alarms in new construction and substantial remodels must be hardwired with battery backup and interconnected so all sound when one activates. Existing homes may use battery-only or 10-year sealed lithium units. Landlords must provide working alarms at the start of every tenancy and test them between tenants per Texas Property Code Section 92.255. Tenants must notify the landlord in writing of malfunctions; landlords have seven days to repair. The Garland Fire Department offers free smoke alarms and installation to qualifying residents through community risk reduction programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need carbon monoxide detectors too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Garland
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