Smoke Detector Compliance with NFPA

Please define http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFPA. Which one?

There are two main types available on the US market, ionization and photoelectric. Do a search.

There are two main types available on the US market, ionization and photoelectric. Some have lights and siren and some do not. Luckily, the fire code is Federal, not local.

Unfortunately, the local interpretation of what is required to pass local inspection, is a different story.

Smoke detectors are required to be "listed" by a national agency such as UL, CSA, FM etc. before the National Electrical Code (NEC) in conjunction with the NFPA not only allows but requires them to be installed in all new homes or businesses. The agent having jurisdiction is called the AHJ (authority having jurisdiction) and could be; a county, city, town, commanding officer, owner etc. or any of their agents. The NEC does not become law until the town, county etc. votes them in. Also, in the latest NEC smoke detectors must be fed by a special Arc-Fault-Current-Interrupter (AFCI), if located in a bedroom.

I believe that the latest edition of NFPA 70, (Nat'l. Elec. Code), requires that all the smoke alarms in the residence be connected to sound together.

Not all local jurisdictions require this, but best to check.