DC requires interconnected smoke alarms on every level and outside each sleeping area under the DC Construction Codes. Rentals must have 10-year sealed lithium-battery alarms per DC Law 20-206.
DC Construction Code Section 907 (adopting IRC and IBC) plus DC Law 20-206 (Smoke Alarm Amendment Act) require smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every story of residential buildings. New construction after 2017 must use hardwired interconnected alarms with battery backup. Rental properties must have tamper-resistant 10-year sealed lithium battery units or hardwired units. Carbon monoxide detectors are required in all dwellings with attached garages or fuel-burning appliances. DC Fire and EMS offers free smoke alarm installation to DC residents through its Smoke Alarm Installation Program (call 311). Landlords who fail to maintain working alarms face DOB housing code citations and civil liability.
Housing code citation up to $1,000 per missing or non-working alarm; criminal liability for willful failure after a fire death.
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