Nicholasville, KY Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

Section 6-704, titled Fire protection systems, carries the smoke alarm rule inside the city's property maintenance regulations. Subsection (a) requires existing Group R occupancies not already provided with single-station smoke alarms to be provided with approved single-station smoke alarms. Subsection (b) specifies where: existing dwelling units, congregate residences, and hotel and lodging house guestrooms. Installation must be in accordance with the International Fire Code.

Subsection (c) controls the power source. In Group R occupancies, single-station smoke alarms must either be battery operated or receive their primary power from the building wiring, provided that the wiring is served from a commercial source. When the building wiring supplies power, the wiring must be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than those required for overcurrent protection.

Responsibility lands on the owner. Under section 6-701(b), the owner of the premises provides and maintains fire safety facilities and equipment, and a person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or permit another person to occupy premises that do not comply. The regulations apply to existing residential and nonresidential structures and existing premises under section 6-101(a), so the alarm duty reaches buildings already standing. Section 6-702(d) ties in as well: where bars, grilles or grates are placed over emergency escape and rescue openings in existing buildings, smoke detectors must be installed in accordance with section 6-704. Section 6-801 lists the 2000 International Fire Code among the referenced standards. The Administrative Official designated by the Planning Commission administers and enforces the chapter under section 6-103(a).