What's the NB code requirement for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in a home with an attached garage in Rothesay?

In Rothesay, your home with an attached garage must have interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms throughout the house, with specific requirements for garage protection under the National Building Code of Canada 2020 edition (adopted by New Brunswick, effective May 1, 2025 for new applications).

The attached garage creates a significant carbon monoxide risk that triggers mandatory CO detection. You'll need interconnected smoke alarms on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area, plus carbon monoxide alarms on every level containing fuel-burning appliances or attached to a structure with such appliances — which includes your garage.

Key placement requirements include a CO alarm within 5 meters of any bedroom door, smoke alarms in each bedroom and hallway serving bedrooms, and both types on every level including basement. The alarms must be interconnected so when one activates, they all sound throughout the house. Hard-wired units with battery backup are required in new construction, though battery-only units may be acceptable in existing homes during renovations.

The garage itself needs special attention — it must be separated from the house with a minimum 45-minute fire-rated wall and self-closing door. Any opening between the garage and house (including the entry door, electrical penetrations, or ductwork) must maintain this fire separation. The garage floor should be sloped toward the overhead door or have a drain to prevent carbon monoxide from pooling.

For your Rothesay home, you'll need a building permit from the Town of Rothesay Planning Department (506-848-6600) for any structural changes or new electrical work. The electrical installation requires a wiring permit from NB Power (1-800-615-0522) if you're adding more than 10 new outlets or devices. After electrical work is complete, NB Department of Justice and Public Safety — Technical Inspection Services (TIS) at 1-888-659-3222 must inspect the installation.

Professional installation is strongly recommended for the electrical connections, especially for hard-wired interconnected systems. A licensed electrical contractor can ensure proper wiring, test the interconnection, and handle the permit process. Expect to pay $800-$1,500 for a complete interconnected system in a typical two-story home, depending on the number of devices and complexity of installation.

Test your alarms monthly and replace batteries annually — even in hard-wired units with backup batteries.