Knoxville, TN Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Code amended
- IRC § R314.6 Power Source
- Exception
- No rewiring if walls stay closed
- Applies to
- Existing homes, alterations/repairs
- Local section
- Sec. 6-42, Residential Building Code
- Latest ordinance
- O-125-2024, 10-29-24
Summary
Knoxville's amended residential code excuses existing homes from hardwiring and interconnecting smoke alarms during renovations that don't remove interior walls or ceiling finishes.
Amend Section R314.6 Power Source relating to Smoke Alarms is amended to create Exception 3 that shall read:
Exception 3. Interconnection and hardwiring of smoke alarms in existing areas shall not be required where the alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior walls or ceiling finishes exposing the structure.
Section N1102.5.1.2 (R402.5.1.2) Testing is replaced with Section N1102.4.2.1 Testing Option and Section N1102.4.2.2 Visual Inspection from 2009 IRC.
Section N1103.3.7 (R403.3.3) Duct System Testing and Section N1103.3.8 (R403.3.8) Duct System Leakage are optional.
Table N1102.1.3 (R402.1.3) Insulation and Fenestration Requirement by Component and Table N1102.1.2 (R402.1.2) MAXIMUM ASSEMBLY U-FACTORS AND FENESTRATION are replaced with Table N1102.1 Insulation and Fenestration Requirements by Component and Table N1102.1.2 Equivalent U-Factor from 2009 IRC.
(Ord. No. O-78-07, § 1, 4-28-07; Ord. No. O-247-07, § 1, 11-6-07; Ord. No. O-140-2010, §§ 1—10, 10-5-2010; Ord. No. O-218-2012, § 2, 12-11-12; Ord. No. O-28-2014, §§ 1—4, 2-4-14; Ord. No. O-160-2014, § 1, 7-22-14; Ord. No. O-21-2016, § 1, 2-2-16; Ord. No. O-45-2018, § 1, 3-27-18; Ord. No. O-182-2018, § 1, 11-20-18; Ord. No. O-11-2021, § 1, 1-26-21; Ord. No. O-29-2022, § 1, 3-22-22; Ord. No. O-125-2024, § 2, 10-29-24)
Secs. 6-43—6-50. - Reserved.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Knoxville Code § 6-42 amends the adopted 2024 International Residential Code's Section R314.6 (Power Source) by adding Exception 3: interconnection and hardwiring of smoke alarms in existing areas is not required where alterations or repairs don't remove interior walls or ceiling finishes exposing the structure. New construction, and any renovation that does open up walls or ceilings, must still meet the IRC's standard hardwired, interconnected smoke alarm rule. The exception carries forward through the city's latest 2024 IRC re-adoption, Ord. No. O-125-2024.
Violations & Fines
Building or remodeling without the required smoke alarms, or without hardwiring where a wall or ceiling is opened, is a Building Code violation; Plans Review and Inspections may deny final inspection or occupancy until alarms are corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to hardwire smoke alarms when remodeling my Knoxville home?
Does this exception apply to new construction?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knoxville
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