Tulsa, OK Fire Regulations: Smoke Detectors (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- Title 55 PMC § 704.2
- Required in
- Sleeping areas, egress path, every story
- Interconnection
- Required when multiple alarms needed
- Power source
- Hardwired with battery backup
- Enforcement
- Dept. of City Experience
Summary
Tulsa requires working smoke alarms in every existing residential unit, placed in each sleeping area, on the egress path, and on every story, per the Property Maintenance Code.
704.2 Single and multiple-station smoke alarms. Single and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in existing Group I-1 and R occupancies in accordance with Sections 704.2.1 through 704.2.3.
704.2.1 Where required. Existing Group I-1 and R occupancies shall be provided with single-station smoke alarms in accordance with Sections 704.2.1.1 through 704.2.1.4. Interconnection and power sources shall be in accordance with Sections 704.2.2 and 704.2.3.
Exceptions:
1.Where the Code that was in effect at the time of construction required smoke alarms and smoke alarms complying with those requirements are already provided.2.Where smoke alarms have been installed in occupancies and dwellings that were not required to have them at the time of construction, additional smoke alarms shall not be required provided that the existing smoke alarms comply with requirements that were in effect at the time of installation.3.Where smoke detectors connected to a fire alarm system have been installed as a substitute for smoke alarms. 704.2.1.1 Group R-1. Single or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in all of the following locations in Group R-1:
Full Breakdown
Under Title 55 (Property Maintenance Code) § 704.2, existing Group R and I-1 occupancies in Tulsa must have smoke alarms in every sleeping area, in each room along the egress path from a sleeping area, and on every story including basements. Where more than one alarm is required, they must be interconnected so activation of one triggers all (§ 704.2.2), and each alarm needs building-wire power with battery backup, or may be battery-only in buildings without commercial power or where no construction is occurring (§ 704.2.3). Separately, Title 51 (Residential Code) § R314.2.2 requires smoke alarms meeting current new-dwelling standards whenever a permitted alteration, repair, or addition occurs, or a bedroom is added.
Violations & Fines
Violating the Property Maintenance Code is a misdemeanor/strict-liability offense (Title 55 § 106.3); each day a violation continues after notice is a separate offense (§ 106.4), enforced by the Department of City Experience and the Tulsa City-County Health Department (§ 103.1).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use battery-only smoke alarms in Tulsa?
Do smoke alarms need to be interconnected in Tulsa?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tulsa
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Smoke Detectors in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle smoke detectors.