Fire detection, alarm and extinguishing systems, mechanical smoke exhaust systems, and smoke and heat vents shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and shall be replaced or repaired when defective.
704.1.1 
Installation.
Fire protection systems shall be maintained in accordance with the original installation standards for that system. Required systems shall be extended, altered, or augmented as necessary to maintain and continue protection where the building is altered or enlarged. Alterations to fire protection systems shall be done in accordance with applicable standards. Failure to maintain a fire protection system in an operable condition at all times and complete the required inspections is a violation of this code and subject to the provisions of Sections 106 and the person(s) are exempt from the notification requirements of Section 107.
704.1.2 
Required fire protection systems.
Fire protection systems required by this code and the International Building Code shall be installed, repaired, operated, tested, and maintained in accordance with this code. A fire protection system for which a design option, exception, or reduction to the provisions of this code or the International Building Code has been granted shall be considered to be a required system.
Fire protection systems shall be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with their applicable NFPA standard.
SYSTEM
STANDARD
Portable fire extinguishers
NFPA 10
Carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing system
NFPA 12
Halon 1301 fire-extinguishing systems
NFPA 12A
Dry-chemical extinguishing systems
NFPA 17
Wet-chemical extinguishing systems
NFPA 17A
Water-based fire protection systems
NFPA 25
Fire alarm systems
NFPA 72
Smoke and heat vents
NFPA 204
Water-mist systems
NFPA 750
Clean-agent extinguishing systems
NFPA 2001
704.2.1 
Records.
Records shall be maintained of all system inspections, tests and maintenance required by the referenced standards.
Where a required fire protection system is out of service, the fire marshal and the building code official shall be notified immediately and, where required by the code official, either the building shall be evacuated, or an approved fire watch shall be provided for all occupants left unprotected by the shutdown until the fire protection system has been restored to service.
Any person removing, tampering, or interfering with the effectiveness of a smoke detector, emergency lighting, exit signs, fire extinguisher, sprinkler system, suppression system, alarm system, or anyone obstructing a fire exit or propping open a fire door or compromising any other life safety aspects of the structure, shall be in violation of this code and subject to the provisions of Sections 106 and the person(s) are exempt from the notification requirements of Section 107.
704.4.1 
Termination of monitoring service.
For fire alarm systems required to be monitored, notice shall be made to both the fire marshal and the building code official whenever alarm monitoring services are terminated. Notice shall be in writing by the provider of the monitoring service being terminated.
704.4.2 
Fire alarm monitoring.
Existing fire alarm systems shall be maintained per the currently adopted Fire Alarm Ordinance. Fire alarm systems that do not transmit to a central station are to be identified with permanent signage with language approved by the Code Official and in locations as specified by the Code Official that contain as a minimum the following language: "Local Alarm System - In the event of an emergency call 9-1-1 immediately"
All fire protection equipment signage shall be installed per the currently adopted Fire Protection Systems Administrative Order. Existing signage for fire protection equipment is to be maintained and legible. Such signs shall be subject to the approval of the fire marshal or building code official.
Existing, non-supervised lock boxes do not need to have tamper switches connected to an existing alarm system. Lock boxes with supervised tamper switches that do not reliably transmit supervisory signals to their central station because of damage or tamper switch failure, may have their tamper switches disabled at the property owner's request. Regardless of lock box supervision, updated keys, fobs, access cards, etc. shall be maintained within the lock box(es).
Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in existing Group I-1 and R occupancies in accordance with Sections 704.7.1 through 704.7.3.
704.7.1 
Where required.
Existing Group 1-1 and R occupancies shall be provided with single-station smoke alarms in accordance with Sections 704.7.1.1 through 704.7.1.4. Interconnection and power sources shall be in accordance with Sections 704.7.2 and 704.7.3.
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.
704.7.1.1 
Group R-1, One and Two-Family Dwellings and Townhouses.
Single- or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in all the following locations in Group R-1:
1. 
In sleeping areas.
2. 
In every room in the path of the means of egress from the sleeping area to the door leading from the sleeping unit.
3. 
In each story within the sleeping unit, including basements. For sleeping units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.
704.7.1.2 
Groups R-2, R-3, R-4, and I-1.
Single-or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in Groups R-2, R-3, R-4 and I-1 regardless of occupant load at all of the following locations:
1. 
On the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms.
2. 
In each room used for sleeping purposes.
3. 
In each story within a dwelling unit, including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.
704.7.1.3 
Installation near cooking appliances.
Smoke alarms shall not be installed in the following locations:
1. 
Ionization smoke alarms shall not be installed less than 20 feet horizontally from a permanently installed cooking appliance.
2. 
Ionization smoke alarms with an alarm-silencing switch shall not be installed less than 10 feet horizontally from a permanently installed cooking appliance.
3. 
Photoelectric smoke alarms shall not be installed less than 6 feet horizontally from a permanently installed cooking appliance.
704.7.1.4 
Installation near bathrooms.
Smoke alarms shall be installed not less than 3 feet horizontally from the door or opening of a bathroom that contains a bathtub or shower.
704.7.2 
Interconnection.
Where more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling or sleeping unit, the smoke alarms shall be interconnected in such a manner that the activation of one alarm will activate all the alarms in the individual unit. Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all alarms sound upon activation of one alarm. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.
Exceptions:
1.
Interconnection is not required in buildings that are not undergoing alterations, repairs or construction of any kind.
2.
Smoke alarms in existing areas are not required to be interconnected where alterations or repairs do not result in the removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available that could provide access for interconnection without the removal of interior finishes.
704.7.3 
Power source.
Single-station smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring provided that such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms with integral strobes that are not equipped with battery backup shall be connected to an emergency electrical system. Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are low. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as require d for over-current protection.
Exceptions:
1.
Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in existing buildings where no construction is taking place.
2.
Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in buildings that are not served from a commercial power source.
3.
Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in existing areas of buildings undergoing alterations or repairs that do not result in the removal of interior walls or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available that could provide access for building wiring without the removal of interior finishes.
704.7.4 
Smoke detection system.
Smoke detectors listed in accordance with UL 268 and provided as part of the building's fire alarm system shall be an acceptable alternative to single- and multiple-station smoke alarms and shall comply with the following:
1. 
The fire alarm system shall comply with all applicable requirements in Section 907 of the International Fire Code.
2. 
Activation of a smoke detector in a dwelling or sleeping unit shall initiate alarm notification in the dwelling or sleeping unit in accordance with Section 907.5.2 of the International Fire Code.
3. 
Activation of a smoke detector in a dwelling or sleeping unit shall not activate alarm notification appliances outside of the dwelling or sleeping unit, provided that a supervisory signal is generated and monitored in accordance with Section 907.6.5 of the International Fire Code.
Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be tested and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Smoke alarms that do not function shall be replaced. Smoke alarms installed in one- and two-family dwellings shall be replaced not more than 10 years from the date of manufacture marked on the unit or shall be replaced if the date of manufacture cannot be determined.
The property owner shall maintain all smoke detectors located in owner-occupied dwelling units. For rental units, it is the responsibility of the property owner or responsible local agent to provide functioning smoke detectors at the beginning of each lease period. Tenants shall always maintain smoke detectors in a functional condition after starting occupancy. Removal of the battery or power source from a smoke detector, making a detector inoperable, or tampering with the detector in any way, is a violation of this code and subjects that person to the violation penalties.
704.10.1 
Where required.
An approved carbon monoxide (CO) detector shall be installed outside of all sleeping areas when one or more of the following conditions apply:
1. 
In all dwelling units, rooming units, guest rooms, and lodging rooms when a fossil fuel or solid fuel appliance is utilized as the primary or supplemental heat source, fixed cooking appliance, or auxiliary power source.
2. 
In dwelling units and sleeping units and that contain a fuel-burning appliance or a fuel burning fireplace.
3. 
In dwelling units and sleeping units in buildings with attached private garages.
704.10.2 
Power source.
Carbon monoxide alarms shall be allowed to be solely battery operated.
704.10.3 
Approved detectors.
Approved detectors will be listed in accordance with ANSI/UL 2034.
Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in new and existing construction as required by the currently adopted building and/or fire code.
704.11.1 
Fire extinguishers in rental units.
Rental units of Building Use Group R-2, R-3, R-4 and One and Two Family Dwelling & Townhouses shall have at least one 2.5-pound type ABC (1:A:10-B:C) portable fire extinguisher placed in the kitchen area of each dwelling unit. In Building Use Group R-1 and R-2 Rooming Houses, a 5-pound type ABC fire extinguisher with a minimum 2A rating shall be provided in corridors. Those provided in other areas shall be in accordance with the International Fire Code.
Exception: Disposable fire extinguishers that are UL listed and met the requirements of NFPA 10 shall be approved for use as listed, but in no way more than 6 years from the date of manufacture. Disposable fire extinguishers are exempted from the requirements to be inspected annually by a 3rd party trained individual. It is the responsibility of the property owner to schedule inspections of fire extinguishers annually. The individual inspecting the extinguisher shall permanently affix the date that the inspection occurred and the initials of the inspection to the tagged extinguisher.
704.11.2 
Fire extinguisher maintenance.
All fire extinguishers shall be inspected and maintained annually in accordance with NFPA 10, the Standard for Portable Extinguishers. Inspections of fire extinguishers must be conducted by a certified extinguisher technician.