What Arkansas Requires for CO Alarms Under Fire Prevention Code

Last verified: February 16, 2026

Arkansas carbon monoxide detector laws are driven by Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Section 915, which applies to covered occupancies when fuel-burning risk conditions exist. The code framework reaches many residential Group R settings and also addresses additional occupancy categories where carbon monoxide sources are present.

For builders and property operators, compliance is tied to occupancy classification, trigger conditions, and code-cycle enforcement by local authorities. Installation planning should include sleeping-area placement, floor-level coverage, and documentation of listed devices during inspections.

Because Arkansas applies technical code language rather than a short standalone detector statute, owners should align project scopes, renovation permits, and maintenance records with AFPC requirements before occupancy decisions and turnover activity. Operators with mixed residential and lodging inventory should maintain occupancy-specific checklists tied to AFPC Section 915 to avoid inconsistent enforcement outcomes.

Quick Safety Summary

CO detector requirements for Arkansas
Applies to homes?	Yes
Applies to rentals?	Yes
Applies to hotels/STRs?	Yes

When Are CO Alarms Required?

Buildings with fuel-burning appliances
New construction
Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in Group I-1, I-2, I-4 and R occupancies and in classrooms in Group E occupancies ... where any of the conditions in Sections 915.1.2 through 915.1.6 exist.
Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms that contain a fuel-burning appliance or a fuel-burning fireplace.
Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms served by a fuel-burning, forced-air furnace.
Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms located in buildings that contain fuel-burning appliances or fuel-burning fireplaces.

Where to Install CO Alarms

Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
On each story or level of the dwelling unit including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics.
Where a fuel-burning appliance is located within a bedroom or its attached bathroom, a carbon monoxide detector shall be installed within the bedroom.
In classrooms that contain fuel-burning appliances or in classrooms served by fuel-burning, forced-air furnaces, carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in the classroom.

For detailed placement guidance beyond legal requirements, see where to place carbon monoxide detectors.

Device Requirements

UL 2034 (CO alarms); UL 217 + UL 2034 (combination alarms).
Hardwired with battery backup for new construction (IRC R315.5).
Interconnection required where multiple alarms in a dwelling unit; wireless interconnection acceptable (IRC R315.5.1).

Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities

Landlord: No specific standalone Arkansas statute currently assigns detailed landlord vs. tenant duties for CO alarms. Building code compliance obligation falls on builder/owner at time of construction or renovation.

Section 915 in the cited rules provides technical requirements; landlord/tenant allocation of duties is not specified in the excerpted rule text.

Enforcement

Enforced by: State Fire Marshal (under Division of Emergency Management, per Act 841 of 2023 / §20-22-1010). Enforces all laws regarding fire alarm systems. Local fire departments and building officials may also enforce.

The cited rules text does not specify a single enforcement authority for CO detection; enforcement typically occurs through building/fire code inspections, but that is not stated here and is left null.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Former §20-7-138(f) (now repealed) classified violations as a Class A misdemeanor (up to $2,500 fine). Under current law post-repeal, specific penalty provisions for CO alarm violations are not clearly defined. General fire code enforcement through State Fire Marshal includes stop work orders and administrative remedies.

Former Ark. Code §20-7-138(f) (repealed); current penalties under AR Fire Prevention Code not individually specified.

Additional Notes

The cited rules reference existing-building requirements via Section 1103.9, but the full Section 1103.9 text is not included in the cited excerpt; existing-building triggers are left null.
Device listing standards (e.g., UL 2034/UL 2075) and power/interconnection details are not specified in the cited excerpt; left empty.
Former standalone statute Ark. Code §20-7-138 has been REPEALED (Act 841, 2023). Current CO alarm requirements governed by Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, 2021 Edition (incorporating 2021 IRC with AR amendments).

Official Sources & References

Arkansas Fire Prevention Code Rules (2021 Edition) — Carbon Monoxide Alarms (Section 915) — Section 915 (Carbon Monoxide Alarms): 915.1 (general/where required/conditions) and 915.2 (locations) (fire code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Confirms when CO detection is required (fuel-burning appliances/fireplaces/furnaces) and placement rules (outside sleeping areas; on each story; bedrooms/classrooms).
Former Ark. Code §20-7-138 (REPEALED) — Arkansas Code search portal — §20-7-138 (repealed by Act 841 of 2023) (secondary index, accessed 2026-02-16)
Former standalone CO statute repealed by Act 841 of 2023. Arkansas contracts with LexisNexis for official statute publication; no .gov URL hosts codified text.
AR Fire Prevention Code 2021 Foreword (fire code, accessed 2026-02-16)
Current fire prevention code incorporating 2021 IRC CO alarm requirements.
NCSL - Carbon Monoxide Detector Installation Statutes (Arkansas row) — Arkansas (secondary index, accessed 2026-02-17)
Cross-state summary of Arkansas code-based carbon monoxide alarm coverage.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general guidance and is not legal advice. Requirements may vary by city, county, and building type. Always verify current rules with local authorities and official sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Arkansas properties are covered by AFPC Section 915?

AFPC Section 915 applies to specified occupancies, including many Group R residential and lodging contexts, when listed carbon monoxide trigger conditions are present. The code references fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, and related building conditions that elevate CO risk. Coverage is therefore determined by occupancy and equipment profile, not just by property marketing label. Owners should verify local enforcement interpretation and adopted code edition before finalizing compliance scope. Using occupancy-based mapping early in project planning helps avoid redesign or reinspection problems in Arkansas.

Does Arkansas require alarms in existing homes or only new projects?

Arkansas requirements come from code language that is most often enforced during new construction, permitted renovation, and occupancy review. Existing homes can still face obligations when they fall within adopted code pathways or when project work triggers inspection under current rules. Operators should not assume older buildings are automatically exempt. A practical compliance plan reviews permit history, occupancy class, and current fuel-burning conditions against AFPC Section 915 and related residential code provisions. That approach gives clearer risk control than relying on build year alone.

How do rentals and hotels fit under Arkansas CO rules?

Rentals and hotels can be covered when they fall into occupancy groups and trigger conditions referenced by AFPC Section 915. In practice, that means many lodging and multifamily operators must evaluate building systems, attached risk features, and sleeping-area layouts against current code text. Even where landlord-tenant duty split is not spelled out in one detector statute, owners still carry strong compliance responsibility through code enforcement channels. Keeping installation records, test logs, and correction documentation is critical for Arkansas operators managing guest or tenant occupancy.

Are all-electric Arkansas dwellings outside trigger language?

All-electric units may fall outside many source-based trigger scenarios, but Arkansas owners should confirm actual building conditions and local code interpretation before treating a unit as exempt. Shared systems, attached structures, or neighboring spaces with fuel-burning equipment can still create carbon monoxide exposure pathways in multifamily properties. Inspectors usually evaluate real risk context, not simple utility labels. For that reason, many operators install alarms in borderline units and document the decision as part of a defensible life-safety program.

What placement and power standards apply in Arkansas residences?

Arkansas code references commonly require detectors outside sleeping areas, on each story of covered dwellings, and in bedrooms when fuel-burning equipment is directly involved. Device listing standards such as UL pathways and power requirements, including hardwired with backup in new construction contexts, are also part of the compliance review. Builders should coordinate product submittals and placement diagrams with local inspectors before rough-in. Maintaining as-built documentation helps resolve disputes during final inspection and later property turnover in Arkansas portfolios.

How do Arkansas requirements compare with Tennessee code practice?

Arkansas relies heavily on AFPC Section 915 occupancy-and-trigger analysis, while Tennessee enforcement may follow different statewide and local code pathways depending on jurisdiction and occupancy type. Teams operating in both states should avoid one shared checklist and instead track each state model separately. Arkansas files should highlight occupancy mapping, trigger conditions, and placement compliance records. Using AFPC Section 915 as the Arkansas baseline prevents false equivalency in regional playbooks. For nearby-state comparison before finalizing regional SOPs, review Tennessee CO detector laws.

Practical CO Detector Guides

Beyond legal requirements, these guides help you choose, install, and maintain CO alarms:

Where to place carbon monoxide detectors — room-by-room placement recommendations
CO detector beeping patterns — what different alarms mean
What to do if your detector goes off — emergency response checklist
CO resources and links — official agencies and safety information