Bernalillo County, NM Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)

Under Bernalillo County Code § 34-76, which adopts and locally amends the 2021 International Fire Code, the county added Section 907.8.2.1: every smoke detector serving a required fire alarm system, including duct-mounted detectors, must be functionally tested using imitation smoke, and key switches or magnets cannot substitute for that test. A companion amendment, Section 907.8.5, puts the duty on the building owner to keep fire and life-safety systems operable and requires that testing, inspection, and maintenance be performed by NICET Level III-certified or factory-trained personnel, with records kept. The rule is enforced by the Bernalillo County Fire Marshal's Office and applies only within unincorporated Bernalillo County; Albuquerque, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, and Tijeras enforce their own fire codes.