Lincoln, Neb., Mun. Code ch. 21.05 § 21.05.510
Section 704 Amended; Fire Protection Systems
Operative Text
Section 704 of the International Property Maintenance Code is amended to read as follows: SECTION 704 - FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS [F] 704.1 General . All systems, devices and equipment to detect a fire, actuate an alarm, or suppress or control a fire or any combination thereof shall be maintained in an operable condition at all times as determined by the Bureau of Fire Prevention with the City and in accordance with the International Fire Code, as adopted by the City. [F] 704.1.1 Automatic sprinkler systems. Inspection, testing and maintenance of automatic sprinkler systems shall be in accordance with NFPA 25. [F] 704.2 Smoke alarms. Single or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in all residential occupancies at all of the following locations: On the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms. Beginning August 29, 2016, in each room used for sleeping purposes. In each story within a dwelling unit, including basements and cellars 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. Single or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in other groups in accordance with the International Fire Code, as adopted by the City. [F] 704.3 Power source . In Group R occupancies and in dwellings not regulated as Group R occupancies, 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 shall emit a signal when the batteries are low. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as required for overcurrent protection. Exception : Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in buildings where no construction is taking place, buildings that are not served from a commercial power source and in existing areas of buildings undergoing alterations or repairs that 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 which could provide access for building wiring without the removal of interior finishes. [F] 704.4 Interconnection. Where more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit, the smoke alarms shall be interconnected in such a manner that the activation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed, except as follows: Interconnection is not required in buildings which are not undergoing alterations, repairs, or construction of any kind. 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 which could provide access for interconnection without the removal of interior finishes. (Ord. 20258 §6; October 19, 2015: prior Ord. 19349 §51; March 1, 2009).
Lincoln Municipal Code § 21.05.510 amends Section 704 of the International Property Maintenance Code to establish requirements for fire protection systems in residential and other occupancies. All fire detection, alarm, and suppression equipment must be kept in working order at all times, and smoke alarms must be installed in specific locations throughout dwelling units, including outside sleeping areas, inside each bedroom (as of August 29, 2016), and on every story. Smoke alarms in residential buildings generally must be hardwired with battery backup and, where multiple alarms are required in a single unit, must be interconnected so that triggering one activates all others, with limited exceptions for buildings not undergoing construction or alteration.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Lincoln, Neb., Mun. Code § 21.05.510 generally ensure that all fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems are continuously maintained in operable condition as determined by the City's Bureau of Fire Prevention. Compliant operators install smoke alarms in every required location — outside sleeping areas, inside each bedroom, and on every story of each dwelling unit — and verify that alarms are hardwired with battery backup where required, with interconnection in place when multiple alarms are mandated in a single unit. Automatic sprinkler systems are maintained in accordance with NFPA 25, and records of inspection, testing, and maintenance are typically kept to demonstrate ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Lincoln, Neb., Mun. Code § 21.05.510, tenants in residential occupancies have an interest in ensuring that properly located, powered, and interconnected smoke alarms are present and functional throughout their dwelling unit. If smoke alarms appear to be missing, non-functional, or improperly installed, tenants may consider documenting the condition and contacting the City of Lincoln's Bureau of Fire Prevention or relevant code enforcement office to report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations in Lincoln can also provide general information about available options, including whether a code deficiency may be raised in other housing-related proceedings.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 5, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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