Smoke alarms are required in every North Richland Hills dwelling under the adopted IRC and Texas Property Code 92.251-.261. Landlords must install and maintain hardwired alarms in rentals.
North Richland Hills follows the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) Section R314, which requires interconnected, hardwired smoke alarms with battery backup in each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every floor of new or substantially remodeled homes. Existing homes without hardwired systems must still have battery-operated alarms in each required location. Carbon monoxide alarms are required outside each sleeping area in any dwelling with fuel-fired appliances or attached garage, per IRC R315. Texas Property Code Sections 92.251 through 92.261 require rental property owners to install and maintain working smoke alarms in every rental unit and replace them on tenant request or battery failure. The NRH Fire Department offers free smoke alarm installations for residents unable to afford or install them, particularly seniors and low-income households through a partnership with the American Red Cross Sound the Alarm program. Call Fire Administration at (817) 427-6900 to request.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Tarrant County handle smoke detectors.
See how North Richland Hills's smoke detectors rules stack up against other locations.
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