Where Oregon wants alarms
The Oregon State Fire Marshal lists these smoke alarm locations for a home being sold: on each level of the home, including the basement; outside of bedrooms, within 21 feet of bedroom doors; and inside each bedroom if building codes required it when the house was built or remodeled.
For carbon monoxide, the Fire Marshal's guidance says sellers of one- and two-family homes, manufactured homes, and multifamily housing with a carbon monoxide source, such as a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage, must have working CO alarms before the sale, and homes built in 2011 or later need a CO alarm whether or not they have a CO source. For new construction, remodels and repairs, the CO alarm requirements apply whether or not the house has a CO source. See the State Fire Marshal's alarm page for the full wording.
How often should alarms be replaced?
The Fire Marshal's advice is to replace smoke alarms every 10 years or according to the manufacturer. The date is printed on the back of each alarm. CO alarms have their own lifespan, usually listed on the alarm, and many give a distinct chirp when they reach end of life. When we replace hardwired alarms, we match the new ones to the existing wiring so they still sound together, or we switch the house to a set that does.
Alarms during a remodel or addition
Adding a bedroom, finishing a basement, or opening walls usually brings the alarms in that part of the house up to current rules. We plan them in with the rest of the remodel wiring so the inspection goes smoothly.
If an alarm is sounding and you smell smoke or feel sick, dizzy, or headachy, get everyone outside and call 911 first. Call us after, once the fire department has cleared the house.