Any attached home, whether it is a condo, thome, PUD, or similar, is required to have hard wired smoke detectors installed if it is in the city of Los Angeles. Battery only type detectors are not considered compliant. City of Los Angeles code is here. Carbon monoxide detectors, on the other hand, may be battery type, plug in type, or hard wired type in the city of Los Angeles.
How can you tell if a smoke detector is hardwired? There usually is a green continuous light on indicating it is hooked to 120 volt hard wired electrical system. There will be wires connected between the detector and the wall/ceiling when you take off the detector from its bracket. If in doubt, you can always send us a photo to be sure. Also this link explains the difference.
In addition to smoke and CO detectors, attached homes must have low flow toilets, individual water heaters double strapped, and individual gas meter installed with an earthquake shut off valve. More here on the needed items.
Not in the city of Los Angeles? A hard wired requirement may be required depending what city the property is located in, call us and we will look it up for you at 310-800-4418. Check out our list here.
