Heat Detectors in Attached Garages

The 2020 Residential Code of New York State (20RC) went into effect on May 12, 2020 in New York State and now it is required that heat detectors are to be installed in all newly constructed attached garages of residential homes.

Section R314 of the 20RC introduced the heat detector requirement in this latest Code cycle and states that heat detectors must be located in a “central location” and must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Heat detectors must be rated for the ambient outdoor temperature which allows it to properly function in both cold and warm temperatures, typically between -10°F and 100°F.

Heat detectors are not the same as smoke alarms and heat detector cannot be substituted by using a smoke alarm or a smoke/carbon monoxide alarm. The heat detector in an attached garage also must be interconnected with the smoke alarms inside the home and when the alarm is activated on one of the devices, all the devices throughout the home will be activated.

Sources:
1) 2020 Residential Code of New York State