Smoke Alarms in Dwellings

Olympia- Working smoke alarms dramatically increase the likelihood of surviving a home fire, as every second counts during an emergency. In 2024, Washington State fire agencies reported that 60% of residential fire fatalities occurred in dwellings without functioning smoke alarms. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the chances of surviving a home fire double when working smoke alarms are present.

In addition to the building and fire codes adopted by Washington State, RCW 43.44.110 regulates smoke detection devices in dwelling units that are:

• Occupied by individuals other than the owner on or after December 31, 1981,
• Built or manufactured in Washington after December 31, 1980, or
• Sold on or after July 1, 2019.

Key provisions of RCW 43.44.110 include:
• Smoke detectors must meet national standards for design, manufacture, and installation.
• Property owners are responsible for installing at least one operational smoke alarm.
• Tenants must maintain and replace batteries in smoke alarms as needed.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office urges all Washington State residents to verify that their homes are equipped with working smoke alarms to protect lives and property.

For more information, contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 596-3904.

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