Do smoke alarms need to be installed on every floor of a home?

Yes, many jurisdictions require smoke alarms on each level, and perhaps in each bedroom area of a home. Other places only require them in rental homes or where there is some other reason the home may be subject to fire inspections.

In addition to smoke alarms, modern codes require carbon monoxide detectors in approximately the same locations as smoke alarms, and several companies are now combining the two functions into one unit.