Residential Electrical Services
Smoke Detector Installation
in Vancouver, WA
Hardwired smoke detectors with battery backup are the standard for homes in Washington state. They're interconnected, so when one goes off, they all go off. That gives you and your family more time to get out. Newman Electric installs and replaces hardwired smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in homes across Vancouver, WA. Ryan handles these jobs regularly, both as standalone work and as part of larger remodels.
Placement Rules
Where Smoke Detectors Go in Your Home
Washington state and the National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72) have specific rules about where smoke detectors must be installed. It's not just "one per floor." Newman Electric follows the placement requirements on every installation.
Every Bedroom
One smoke detector inside each bedroom. Not in the hallway outside. Inside the actual room, on the ceiling or high on the wall.
Outside Sleeping Areas
One smoke detector in the hallway or area immediately outside the bedrooms. If bedrooms are on different sides of the house, you need one outside each group.
Every Level
One smoke detector on every floor of the home, including the basement. If you have a finished attic, it gets one too.
CO Detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors are required outside each sleeping area and on every level in homes with fuel-burning appliances, attached garages, or fireplaces. Most newer combo units detect both smoke and CO.
Kitchen Placement
Smoke detectors need to be at least 10 feet from cooking appliances to avoid false alarms. If your kitchen is smaller than that, Newman Electric uses a photoelectric detector that's less sensitive to cooking smoke.
Interconnection
All smoke detectors in the home must be interconnected. When one detects smoke, they all sound. Hardwired detectors do this through the wiring. Newman Electric runs the interconnect wire between all units.
The Job
How Newman Electric Installs
Smoke Detectors
A smoke detector installation for a typical Vancouver home takes a few hours. If you already have hardwired smoke detectors and just need replacements, it's faster. New installations where we're running wire take longer.
Figure out what you need
We walk the house and count bedrooms, hallways, floors, and existing detectors. Some homes already have hardwired detectors that just need replacing. Others have battery-only units that should be upgraded to hardwired. We'll tell you exactly how many detectors your home requires.
Run the wiring
For new hardwired smoke detectors, Newman Electric runs 14/3 cable from the panel to each detector location and connects them on an interconnect circuit. We fish wire through the attic and walls to reach each spot. The interconnect wire links every detector so they all go off together.
Mount and test every unit
We install each detector on the ceiling (not the wall unless the ceiling is vaulted), wire it in, and test the interconnect. When we push the test button on one detector, every detector in the house should sound. Newman Electric tests every unit before we leave to make sure the system works.
Code & Safety
Smoke Detector Code Requirements
in Vancouver, WA
Washington state has some of the stricter smoke detector requirements in the country. The rules come from the IRC (International Residential Code) as adopted under WAC 51-51 and the 2023 NEC under WAC 296-46B. Newman Electric follows all current requirements.
- Hardwired with Battery Backup (IRC R314.4)
Smoke detectors in new construction and remodels must be hardwired to the home's electrical system with battery backup. Battery-only detectors are not acceptable for new work. If your home only has battery detectors and you're doing a remodel that requires a permit, the smoke detectors must be upgraded to hardwired.
- Interconnected (IRC R314.3)
All smoke detectors in the home must be interconnected so that activation of one triggers all of them. Newman Electric runs interconnect wiring between all detectors. Wireless interconnect is available for retrofit situations where running wire is impractical.
- Placement per NFPA 72
Smoke detectors go inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. They must be ceiling-mounted or on the wall within 12 inches of the ceiling. They cannot be within 10 feet of a cooking appliance or within 3 feet of a bathroom door.
- CO Detectors (WAC 51-51-0315)
Carbon monoxide detectors are required outside sleeping areas and on every level in homes with gas appliances, wood-burning fireplaces, or attached garages. Newman Electric installs combination smoke/CO detectors where both are needed so you don't have two separate devices on the ceiling.
Customer Reviews
What Customers Say About Newman Electric
"Anthony was awesome! Professional, courteous, efficient and friendly. He was careful to ensure accurate placement of a new outlet prior to starting work. He performed the work quickly, safely and cleaned up when he was done. I have worked with Newman Electric on multiple projects and I appreciate the quality of each of their team members that has served us."
"Excellent experience all around. Communication was great as was the service call. Fixed my home's issues and explained each step. Impeccable customer service!"
"Excellent work. New ceiling lights. Made sure the areas he worked on were immaculate when he left."
Common Questions
Smoke Detector Installation FAQs
One inside each bedroom, one outside each sleeping area, and one on every floor including the basement. A typical 3-bedroom, 2-story home in Vancouver WA needs at least 5 to 6 smoke detectors. Homes with gas appliances or attached garages also need carbon monoxide detectors. Newman Electric will count the exact number your home requires.
Hardwired with battery backup. Washington state requires hardwired detectors for new construction and remodels. Even if your home isn't being remodeled, hardwired is better because they're interconnected through the wiring. When one goes off, they all go off. Newman Electric installs hardwired detectors with 10-year sealed lithium backup batteries.
It depends on how many detectors and whether you already have wiring in place. Replacing existing hardwired detectors is straightforward. Adding new hardwired detectors where there's no existing wiring costs more because we need to run cable. Newman Electric gives free estimates.
Every 10 years. The sensors degrade over time and become less sensitive. Check the manufacture date on the back of each detector. If it's more than 10 years old, it needs to be replaced even if it still beeps when you push the test button. Newman Electric can replace all of them in a single visit.
Yes, if your home has gas appliances (furnace, water heater, stove), a wood-burning fireplace, or an attached garage. Washington state requires CO detectors outside sleeping areas and on every level. Newman Electric installs combination smoke/CO detectors so you get both in one unit.
False alarms are common with older detectors or detectors placed too close to the kitchen or bathroom. The sensor could also be dirty or the detector could be past its 10-year lifespan. Newman Electric can relocate detectors, replace them with photoelectric models that are less prone to cooking false alarms, or install new units if yours are expired.
Related Services
Other Safety and Home Electrical Work
Electrical Repair
Fix wiring, outlets, and switches
Surge Protection
Whole-house surge protection at the panel
Electrical Panel Upgrade
Modern 200-amp panel
Whole House Rewiring
New copper wiring for older homes
Lighting Installation
Fixtures, recessed lights, and more
Dedicated Circuits
Separate circuits for appliances
Outlet Installation
Grounded outlets in every room
Aluminum Wiring
Remediation for 1960s-70s wiring
Service Area
Smoke Detector Installation Across
Vancouver & Clark County
Newman Electric installs smoke detectors in homes all over Vancouver, WA and Clark County. Older homes in Hazel Dell and east Vancouver are the ones that most often need hardwired upgrades. Newer homes in Salmon Creek and Ridgefield already have hardwired detectors but may need replacements if they were built more than 10 years ago.
We also cover Cowlitz County for smoke detector work. Longview, Kelso, Woodland, and Kalama.
Need Smoke Detectors
Installed or Replaced?
Newman Electric installs hardwired, interconnected smoke and CO detectors in homes across Vancouver, WA. We'll count what your home needs, run the wiring, and test every unit. Free estimate.