16 Del. C. §§ 6631–6636 § 6632
Smoke detector installation in 1- and 2-family dwellings; mobile homes; modular homes; townhouses
Operative Text
(a) Each 1-family and 2-family dwelling, mobile home, modular home, and townhouse shall have smoke detection devices and/or smoke detection systems installed according to the following requirements: (1) For each new building or occupancy built after July 8, 1993, smoke detection devices shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of the State Fire Prevention Regulations and the building codes in effect at the time of new construction. (2) For all buildings or occupancies erected or built prior to July 8, 1993, each required smoke detection device shall be installed outside each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and 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 area; but the smoke detection devices in existing buildings or occupancies 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 in accordance with Delaware Fire Prevention Regulations. (b) Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the owner of any 1-family or 2-family dwelling, mobile home, modular home or townhouse from installing an inter-connected smoke detection system, hard-wired to the building’s electrical system.
Section 6632 of Delaware's smoke detector law (16 Del. C. §§ 6631–6636) establishes where and how smoke detection devices must be installed in single-family and two-family dwellings, mobile homes, modular homes, and townhouses. Buildings constructed after July 8, 1993, must meet the State Fire Prevention Regulations and building codes that were in effect at the time of construction, while older buildings must have detectors placed outside each sleeping area and on every occupied story, including basements. Older buildings may use battery-powered, single-station devices approved by Underwriters Laboratories or the Factory Mutual Association, and any covered dwelling is permitted to upgrade to a hard-wired, interconnected system regardless of when it was built.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 6632 of 16 Del. C. §§ 6631–6636, compliant operators of covered residential properties generally verify whether their building predates or postdates July 8, 1993, and apply the corresponding installation standard. For pre-1993 structures, compliant operators ensure detectors are placed outside every sleeping area and on each occupied story—including basements—using UL- or Factory Mutual-approved, battery-monitored devices that meet Delaware Fire Prevention Regulations. Operators of newer buildings confirm that installation aligns with the State Fire Prevention Regulations and building codes that governed construction at the time the structure was built, and any owner may choose to upgrade to a hard-wired interconnected system.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 6632 of 16 Del. C. §§ 6631–6636 gives occupants of single-family homes, two-family dwellings, mobile homes, modular homes, and townhouses the right to properly installed smoke detection devices suited to their building's age and layout. Tenants who believe detectors are missing, improperly placed, or non-compliant with Delaware Fire Prevention Regulations may document the conditions and consider raising the issue with their local fire marshal's office or a Delaware tenant-rights organization. General enforcement paths can include filing a complaint with the relevant state or local authority, or raising a code-compliance violation as part of a broader housing dispute.
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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