1 Del. Admin. Code § 706 § 3.0
One- and Two-Family Dwellings, Mobile Homes, Modular Homes, and Townhouses.
Operative Text
3.1 Each new one- and two-family dwelling, mobile home, modular home, and townhouse built after the effective date of this legislation shall have smoke detection devices and/or smoke detection systems installed according to the following requirements: 3.1.1 Shall be installed outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, and; 3.1.2 Shall be installed on each additional story of the family living unit, including basements, but excluding crawl spaces and unfinished attics, if nothing is stored or kept in such areas, and; 3.1.3 The smoke detection devices or system shall be interconnected, so that operation of any smoke detection device shall cause the alarm-sounding devices in all smoke detectors within the dwelling or building to sound, and; 3.1.4 The smoke detection devices shall be hard-wired or operated through wireless battery power and supervised by a listed control panel, into the building or occupancy’s electrical system in accordance with the provisions of the National electric Code, NFPA 70, as adopted and/or modified by these Regulations, and; 3.1.5 Each hard-wired or wireless battery powered, interconnected smoke detection device in the immediate vicinity of each bedroom area shall be equipped with a built-in battery back-up power supply, or one single station, battery operated smoke detection device shall be installed in the immediate vicinity of each bedroom area, in addition to the hard-wired smoke detection device. (16 Del.C. §6632(a)(1) and §6632(a)(2)) 3.2 Each one- and two-family dwelling, mobile home, modular home, and townhouse erected or built prior to the effective date of this legislation shall have smoke detection devices and/or smoke detection systems installed according to the following requirements: 3.2.1 Shall be installed outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, and; 3.2.2 Shall be installed on each additional story of the family living unit, including basements, but excluding crawl spaces and unfinished attics, if nothing is stored or kept in such areas, and; 3.2.3 The smoke detection devices may be single-station, individual smoke detection devices approved by Underwriters Laboratories or the Factory Mutual Association, and powered by a monitored battery power supply. (16 Del.C. §6632(a)(3)). 3.3 Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the owner of any one- and two-family dwelling, mobile home, modular home, or townhouse from installing an interconnected smoke detection system, in accordance with §3.1 of the Regulation. (16 Del.C. §6632(b)).
Under 1 Del. Admin. Code 706 § 3.0, Delaware sets distinct smoke detection requirements based on when a one- or two-family dwelling, mobile home, modular home, or townhouse was constructed. Homes built after the legislation's effective date must have interconnected, hard-wired or supervised wireless smoke detectors with battery backup placed outside sleeping areas and on every occupied story. Homes built before that date face a somewhat simpler standard, allowing individual, battery-powered detectors approved by recognized testing laboratories, though owners of older homes may voluntarily upgrade to the newer interconnected standard.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and owners of residential properties covered by 1 Del. Admin. Code 706 § 3.0 generally ensure that newly constructed units feature fully interconnected smoke detection systems—hard-wired or supervised wireless with battery backup—positioned outside each sleeping area and on every occupied floor level, including basements. For properties predating the legislation, compliant operators typically install UL- or Factory Mutual-approved, battery-monitored single-station detectors in the required locations. Owners of older properties who choose to install an interconnected system consistent with § 3.1 are expressly permitted to do so under § 3.3, and maintaining documentation of installed equipment and its compliance standard is a common practice among diligent property managers.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in one- or two-family dwellings, mobile homes, modular homes, or townhouses in Delaware have a right to smoke detection equipment that meets the standards set out in 1 Del. Admin. Code 706 § 3.0, with the specific requirements depending on when the home was built. If smoke detectors appear to be missing, improperly placed, or non-functional in ways that suggest non-compliance with this provision, tenants can document the conditions and consider reaching out to local code enforcement or Delaware's relevant housing or fire safety authorities. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand what remedies or complaint processes may be available under § 3.0 and the underlying statutes at 16 Del. C. § 6632.
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 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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