What type of Smoke Detectors are required in my home, and where should they be located?

It depends on the type of residence you live in. One and two family homes, built prior to 1990, can use battery-operated smoke detectors. All other homes, 3 family and above, are required to have hard wired smoke detectors, either 120 volt or 24 volt. All new homes built after 1990 should have hard wired smoke detectors in them.


Smoke Detectors are designed to provide an early warning to a fire. Smoke detectors should be located in Common Areas (i.e. stairways and basements) and inside sleeping rooms and there should definitely be one just outside of all of the sleeping rooms.

Show All Answers

1. How do I become a member of the Bloomfield Fire Department?
2. Do I need a Carbon Monoxide Detector and if our Carbon Monoxide Detector sounds, will the Fire Department respond?
3. What type of Smoke Detectors are required in my home, and where should they be located?
4. When should I change the batteries in my smoke detector?
5. I'm a senior citizen, will the Fire Dept assist me in installing a smoke detector?
6. What is a Certificate of Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Compliance and do I need one?
7. Am I allowed to openly burn?
8. Can I use my propane barbecue grill on my terrace or balcony?
9. I've locked myself out of residence, will the Fire Dept assist me to gain access?
10. I have room in my basement to create an apartment, is this legal?
11. I changed from oil heat to gas heat. Do I need to remove the old oil tank or when I purchased my home?
12. Does the Fire Dept actually rescue cats that are stuck in a tree?
13. My basement has flooded, is help available?
14. I hear sirens and air horns from my home and they seem very loud, is it necessary to always use them all hours of the day?
15. How do I dispose of my old Fire Extinguishers or Propane Tanks?
16. My homeowners insurance company needs to know the distance from my home to the nearest Fire Hydrant and Fire Station. What can I tell them?